Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Unity Ads VS Google Ad Manager

Compare Unity Ads VS Google Ad Manager and see what are their differences

Unity Ads logo Unity Ads

Unity Ads allows to supplement the existing revenue strategy by allowing to monetize thr entire player base.

Google Ad Manager logo Google Ad Manager

Grow revenue wherever your users are with an integrated ad management platform that surfaces insights for smarter business decisions.
  • Unity Ads Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14
  • Google Ad Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-02

Unity Ads features and specs

  • Integrated with Unity Engine
    Unity Ads is seamlessly integrated with the Unity game engine, making it easy for developers using Unity to implement ads and manage them without needing to use third-party tools.
  • Ad Formats Variety
    Supports various ad formats, including video ads, rewarded ads, interstitials, and playable ads, providing flexibility and catering to different user engagement strategies.
  • Revenue Optimization
    Provides robust monetization tools and analytics that help developers optimize ad placements and maximize revenue.
  • High eCPM
    Often offers competitive effective cost per mille (eCPM), ensuring higher revenue for every thousand ad impressions compared to some other platforms.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Supports multiple platforms including iOS, Android, and Windows, making it versatile for developers targeting different operating systems.

Possible disadvantages of Unity Ads

  • Minimum Payout Threshold
    Unity Ads has a higher minimum payout threshold compared to some other ad networks, which can be a barrier for smaller developers looking to access their earnings quickly.
  • Dependency on Unity Engine
    While integration with Unity is a pro for Unity developers, those using other game engines might find it less convenient to implement, requiring additional work.
  • Fill Rate
    Depending on the region and user base, the fill rate for ads may be lower than expected, impacting potential revenue.
  • User Experience Impact
    Ads, particularly non-rewarded ones, can negatively impact the user experience if not implemented carefully, leading to potential user churn.
  • Limited Control
    Developers might find that they have limited control over the types of ads shown and therefore might encounter content that’s not entirely suitable or aligned with their game’s audience.

Google Ad Manager features and specs

  • Comprehensive Ad Management
    Google Ad Manager integrates various facets of ad placement, trafficking, and reporting into a single platform, making it easier for publishers to manage their advertisements across multiple channels.
  • Advanced Targeting Capabilities
    It offers advanced targeting options based on factors like demographics, interests, and behaviors, allowing for personalized ad experiences and increased relevance for the audience.
  • Robust Reporting Tools
    Google Ad Manager provides detailed reporting and analytics, helping users measure performance, track revenue, and optimize their ad strategies in real-time.
  • Scalability
    Suitable for organizations of any size, from small businesses to large enterprises, making it a versatile solution that can grow with your business needs.
  • Integration with Google Ecosystem
    Seamlessly integrates with other Google products like Google Analytics and Google Marketing Platform, creating a cohesive digital marketing ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of Google Ad Manager

  • Complexity
    The platform can be overwhelming for beginners due to its comprehensive features and interface, requiring time and effort to fully understand and utilize.
  • Cost
    While it offers a free tier, advanced features and higher usage levels can lead to significant costs, which might not be suitable for small businesses with limited budgets.
  • Learning Curve
    Even experienced marketers may face a steep learning curve when initially using the platform, which may require additional training or support.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    Given its extensive data collection and targeting capabilities, there may be concerns regarding data privacy and compliance with global regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
  • Dependence on Google Ecosystem
    Heavy reliance on the Google ecosystem could be a drawback for those looking to diversify their digital marketing tools or who have concerns about vendor lock-in.

Analysis of Unity Ads

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Unity Ads is generally considered a good option for developers, especially those using the Unity platform. Its integration ease, coupled with efficient monetization tools and a strong focus on enhancing player experience, makes it a reliable choice for many in the gaming industry.

Why this product is good

  • Unity Ads is known for its deep integration with Unity, one of the most popular game development platforms. This provides developers with seamless access to analytics and monetization options directly within the engine. Unity Ads also offers robust targeting capabilities, a wide reach due to its large network of games, and a user-friendly interface. Its focus on in-game advertising with formats such as rewarded videos and playables makes it a popular choice for game developers looking to monetize without disrupting user experience.

Recommended for

  • Game developers using the Unity engine
  • Developers seeking seamless integration of ads within games
  • Those looking to utilize video and playable ads for in-app monetization
  • Teams focusing on user experience and non-intrusive ad formats

Analysis of Google Ad Manager

Overall verdict

  • Google Ad Manager is widely regarded as a strong choice for publishers due to its feature-rich platform, reliability, and seamless integration with Google's ad services. However, it could be complex for beginners and may require a learning curve to fully leverage its capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • Google Ad Manager is a comprehensive ad serving platform suitable for publishers looking to monetize their web content. It offers robust tools for ad inventory management, in-depth reporting capabilities, and integration with Google's powerful advertising ecosystem. The platform supports various ad formats and is designed to optimize ad performance and revenue through advanced targeting options and flexible pricing strategies.

Recommended for

    Google Ad Manager is recommended for medium to large-sized publishers, ad networks, and businesses seeking a comprehensive ad management solution with extensive features. It is particularly well-suited for those who are already invested in the Google ecosystem and have access to technical resources to manage the platform efficiently.

Unity Ads videos

My Experience With Unity Ads, Why I use Admob With Unity...

More videos:

  • Review - Monetize your games | Integrating Unity Ads into a Project
  • Review - Unity Ads for Kodular | Is unity ads the best or worst? | unity ads revenue & eCPM | UnityAds Review

Google Ad Manager videos

Google Ad Manager reporting integration

More videos:

  • Review - Troubleshoot bad ads - Review and Manage Ads in Google Ad Manager- Google Ad Manager course 2020
  • Review - Opportunities And Experiments In Google Ad Manager

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Unity Ads and Google Ad Manager)
Ad Networks
38 38%
62% 62
Mobile Ad Network
59 59%
41% 41
Advertising
22 22%
78% 78
Ad Optimization
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Ad Manager should be more popular than Unity Ads. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Unity Ads mentions (2)

  • Unity lays off 600 staff members, prepares to close half of its offices
    Their largest business is largely mobile ads in mobile games, as I understand it, and has been for a while. As a business, they haven't really competed all that directly with Unreal for AA/AAA games. If you like ads in mobile games, root away! > https://unity.com/products/unity-ads. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Getting Free Slowly Coins - Getting over the casual 'N/A' no ads problem ?
    The SLOWLY app mobile version packages include libraries to connect and use different ad services companies. With this version, I see a lot of ads provided by Unity Ads - which is popular both in iOS and Android markets. Source: over 3 years ago

Google Ad Manager mentions (4)

  • What is Prebid.js & how to debug it using Requestly!
    Prebid.js is an open-source header bidding wrapper that enables publishers to conduct auctions for their ad inventory across multiple demand sources. It integrates seamlessly with ad servers like Google Ad Manager, allowing publishers to increase competition and, consequently, ad revenue. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • (need tool) How to better sell ad spaces to my direct ad customers?
    I read somewhere that Google Ad Manager can solve my Problems. Is that true? Can someone send me a link of their documentation where they show this feature? Because I don't understand really Google Ad Manager, I saw their website https://admanager.google.com/home/ but it feels like AdSense, just for businesses who have more ad space with different interest groups and so on with better ad network Management or... Source: over 3 years ago
  • 15 Million page views but rejected from GAM
    Thanks for that info! Yes, I filled out a form at https://admanager.google.com/home/ and that's when this Google person reached out to us. Source: about 4 years ago
  • 15 Million page views but rejected from GAM
    You sure you just signed up at https://admanager.google.com/home/ ? Just register an Adsense account, then a free GAM account and you should be good to go. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Unity Ads and Google Ad Manager, you can also consider the following products

Facebook Audience Network - Facebook Audience Network is designed to help monetize your apps and websites with ads from global Facebook advertisers.

OpenX - Ad technology platform available as a hosted service or as an open source download.

AdMob - Earn more from your mobile apps using in-app ads to generate revenue, gain actionable insights, and grow your app with easy-to-use tools.

Kevel - Kevel's APIs make it easy for engineers and PMs to quickly launch a fully-customized, white-labeled, server-side ad server.

MoPub - MoPub is a mobile monetization platform that helps publishers drive more revenue from advertising and mobile transactions.

AerServ - AerServ offers monetization solution for mobile publishers.