Best Adsterra Alternatives: 5 Ad Networks Compared

Why Advertisers Look for Adsterra Alternatives

Adsterra is a well-known advertising network with large traffic volumes and extensive global reach. It’s a popular choice for media buyers looking to run campaigns at scale, but its pricing and account conditions aren’t all-purpose. Even advertisers satisfied with their current campaigns may look for alternatives to find better rates or access new traffic sources.

For advertisers working with smaller budgets, traffic costs on Adsterra may be relatively high, making it harder to achieve a profitable CPA. Some may also require more hands-on support, as Adsterra’s self-service approach might not suit those who prefer regular guidance from a dedicated account manager.

Beyond pricing and support, testing additional ad networks is a common way to diversify traffic sources. The same offer may achieve a lower CPA due to differences in traffic inventory, bids, and audience engagement.

Account policies matter, too. Adsterra’s Terms allow account suspension without prior notice in cases of suspected violations and restrict refunds of unused balances, which may be a concern for those who value more flexible and predictable conditions.

AdOperator is an alternative to Adsterra that addresses these priorities with competitive rates, a personal manager for every advertiser regardless of budget, and no hidden fees or inactivity penalties. Several other established ad networks are also worth considering. Below, we compare five alternatives and their key differences.

Adsterra Alternatives Comparison

The table below compares Adsterra with five competitors based on their advertising formats, pricing models, deposits, retargeting options, and customer support.

Best Adsterra Alternatives for Advertisers

AdOperator

AdOperator advertising platform with campaign settings

AdOperator is a performance advertising network operating since 2018, with a continuously expanding publisher base and traffic coverage across 200+ countries. The platform offers Popunder, Push, and In-Page Push ads on CPM and CPC pricing models, serving media buyers in iGaming, Dating, Finance, Mobile Apps, eCommerce, and other verticals.

Advertisers have direct access to a dedicated manager from their first deposit, with no minimum spending requirements beyond the $100 entry deposit. Managers assist with campaign setup, targeting, SubID-level optimization, and scaling. Campaigns are typically approved within 30 minutes during business hours.

For optimization, AdOperator provides detailed targeting settings, source-level controls, and cross-format retargeting. Retargeting audiences can be built based on website visits or conversion events received through S2S postback. To maintain traffic quality, AdOperator combines preliminary source verification with automated antifraud systems and manual checks. These measures help filter suspicious traffic before it reaches advertisers’ campaigns.

PropellerAds

PropellerAds campaign creation with ad format and traffic type selection

PropellerAds has built a strong reputation in affiliate marketing, particularly among advanced media buyers who rely on automated campaign optimization tools. Beyond traditional ad formats, Telegram Ads, Interactive Ads, and Paid Social Traffic are available on the platform, letting advertisers experiment with different approaches to traffic acquisition.

Campaigns run on CPM and CPC, as well as SmartCPM, SmartCPC, and CPA Goal bidding. With CPA Goal, advertisers set a target cost per conversion, while the system automatically adjusts traffic delivery based on campaign performance. PropellerAds also offers NIKO, an AI assistant that allows users to create and edit campaigns, manage targeting and bids, and review statistics through a conversational interface.

The minimum deposit is $100, with additional payment processing fees depending on the deposit amount and payment method. Media buyers spending less than $5,000 per month primarily manage their campaigns independently, using self-service tools and standard support channels. A dedicated account manager and priority Live Chat support become available at higher spending levels.

Clickadu

Clickadu campaign setup with main settings and campaign summary

Clickadu started as a Popunder advertising network and gradually expanded into a multi-format platform. Today, its inventory includes Banner, In-Page Push, Pre-Roll Video, Instant Text Message, and SKIM ads. The latter two formats are less common among competing networks and are used for testing alternative approaches to traffic acquisition, especially in mobile campaigns. 

Advertisers can choose from CPM, CPC, SmartCPM, and SmartCPA pricing. SmartCPM uses a second-price auction to help avoid overpaying for impressions, while SmartCPA automatically optimizes traffic delivery toward conversions. 

Clickadu provides zone-level traffic controls, letting advertisers identify profitable placements and exclude underperforming sources. The network applies automated antifraud filters and monitors publisher traffic quality, although feedback suggests that individual placements may still require careful evaluation and filtering. Live Chat and email support are available by default.

RichAds

RichAds advertising platform with available ad formats

RichAds entered the market in 2018 as a Push advertising network and later expanded its inventory to include other formats, such as Telegram Ads and Pre-roll Video.

RichAds uses internal traffic quality checks and external anti-fraud solutions such as Adscore. It divides sources into four performance-based groups: Premium, Standard, Remnant, and New. This classification helps prioritize sources with a proven conversion history when testing new campaigns.

The platform provides automated rules, Micro Bidding, and Performance Mode, which automatically selects traffic sources and updates whitelists weekly. Cross-format retargeting is also available upon request through an account manager.

The minimum deposit is $150, the highest minimum deposit in this comparison. General support is open to all advertisers, while additional services depend on the account level. A $500 deposit unlocks GEO and vertical whitelists, but personal advertising experts, campaign audits, and managed setup require at least a $3,000 deposit.

HilltopAds

HilltopAds campaign setup with targeting options

HilltopAds has been operating since 2013 and is well known for Popunder advertising. It’s a relatively straightforward self-service platform for beginners. Along with Popunder, available formats include In-Page Push, Banner, and Video VAST.

One notable feature is its traffic segmentation system, which divides inventory into High, Medium, and Low Activity levels based on user engagement and conversion potential. Advertisers can select the preferred category according to their goals and budget. The platform also has CPA Goal bidding for Popunder campaigns and automatic optimization rules that blacklist underperforming zones and move successful placements into whitelists.

HilltopAds is particularly suitable for broad-audience offers in verticals such as iGaming, Dating, eCommerce, and Mobile Apps. The company itself advises against running highly specialized offers that may struggle to convert with its traffic. An additional bonus is its referral program, with commission for referring new advertisers and publishers.

If Popunder is your main format, compare more options in our guide to the 15 Best Popunder Ad Networks for High-Quality Traffic.

How to Choose the Right Adsterra Alternative

The best choice depends on what you want to improve in your current setup. If traffic costs are your main concern, compare rates across networks, but don’t assume a lower CPC or CPM will automatically lead to better results. Conversion rates, lead quality, and overall ROI are more reliable indicators of campaign performance.

Pricing is only part of the comparison. Some platforms offer a wider range of ad formats and optimization tools, while others place more emphasis on personalized campaign support. Check which features and services are available at your budget, as access to managers and advanced tools often depends on spending levels.

For advertisers looking for a balance of pricing, traffic quality, and campaign management, AdOperator is a strong all-around alternative. Still, it doesn’t necessarily need to replace Adsterra entirely. Start by testing one or two additional networks with the same offer and GEO, track the results, and gradually shift more budget toward the sources that perform best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Adsterra alternatives suitable for iGaming campaigns?

Yes. Several Adsterra competitors support iGaming advertising, including Betting and Gambling offers. AdOperator, for example, provides Popunder, Push, and In-Page Push traffic for iGaming campaigns across multiple GEOs. However, advertising restrictions vary by country, so it’s important to check local regulations and each network’s policies before launching.

Which Adsterra alternative is best for a small advertising budget?

AdOperator is a practical starting point for advertisers with smaller budgets. A minimum deposit of $100 gives access to a dedicated account manager and all targeting and optimization tools – without limitations. Unlike some competing networks, AdOperator doesn’t require higher spending levels to unlock additional features or personalized support.

Do Adsterra competitors have retargeting?

Yes, some competing networks offer retargeting, although the available options and setup requirements vary. Retargeting allows advertisers to reach users who previously visited their website or completed a tracked action, rather than targeting only new audiences. With AdOperator’s cross-format retargeting, brands can reconnect with these users through Popunder, Push, or In-Page Push ads.

Can I use Adsterra and another advertising network at the same time?

Yes. Many advertisers work with multiple networks to diversify traffic sources, compare performance, and reach additional audiences. A tracking platform such as RedTrack, Voluum, or Binom helps consolidate campaign data and identify which source delivers the best results for a particular offer.