At a glance
AdSense
Google's self-serve ad program with no traffic minimum and full publisher control.
Best for: New and growing sites, and anyone who wants direct control without a revenue share.
Ezoic
An optimization platform (Google Certified Publishing Partner) that uses automated testing across ad partners.
Best for: Publishers who want automated optimization and added demand without a high traffic bar.
Mediavine
A full-service premium ad management company for established content creators.
Best for: Established sites that meet its session requirement and want a managed, high-touch setup.
Raptive
A premium full-service ad management company (formerly AdThrive) for larger publishers.
Best for: Larger, established content sites that meet its pageview requirement.
Side by side
| Feature | AdSense | Ezoic | Mediavine | Raptive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic requirement | None | Low / flexible | Around 50k sessions/mo (verify) | Around 100k pageviews/mo (verify) |
| Setup effort | You manage it | Mostly automated | Largely managed for you | Largely managed for you |
| Control over placements | Full | Shared with automation | Limited (managed) | Limited (managed) |
| Demand sources | AdSense demand | Multiple partners | Multiple premium partners | Multiple premium partners |
| Revenue share / cut | Standard AdSense terms | Platform takes a share | Platform takes a share | Platform takes a share |
| Who decides layout | You | You + AI testing | The network | The network |
Eligibility and terms change — verify current details on each provider's own site.
The real trade-off: control vs done-for-you
AdSense gives you the most control and no traffic gate, but you do the optimization yourself. Ezoic adds automated testing and extra demand with a low barrier to entry, in exchange for sharing control with its system. Mediavine and Raptive are premium, largely hands-off services that can lift RPM through wider demand and expert management, but they require meaningful traffic to join and take a share. Decide how hands-on you want to be before you compare numbers.
Eligibility is the first filter
If you do not yet meet the premium networks' traffic requirements, the practical choice is AdSense (optionally with Ezoic), and the productive focus is growing traffic and RPM until you qualify. Treating eligibility honestly saves a lot of wasted comparison: a network you cannot join is not an option yet. Requirements change, so check each provider's current thresholds rather than relying on a number you read once.
RPM is not just the network
Publishers often assume switching networks is the lever that fixes low RPM. Frequently the bigger problem is on the page: poor viewability, weak placement, ad-driven layout shift, or density that does not match the content. A network change inherits those problems. Optimizing what you already run usually has the best expected value until you clearly meet a premium network's bar and its projected RPM, net of its share, beats your tuned baseline.
Where PushRPM fits
PushRPM is not an ad network and does not replace any of these. It is a WordPress optimization layer for AdSense publishers: it scans your site, finds revenue leaks, recommends safe placement and density changes, protects Core Web Vitals, and proves the before/after lift. Many sites use it to get more from AdSense while they grow toward premium-network eligibility — and a well-optimized site presents better to a premium network anyway.
The verdict
Start on AdSense if you are below premium thresholds, consider Ezoic for automated optimization at lower traffic, and evaluate Mediavine or Raptive once you clearly qualify and their managed RPM beats your tuned AdSense baseline. Whatever you run, fix the page first — optimization travels with you.
FAQ
Is Mediavine or Raptive better than AdSense?
For sites that qualify, premium networks can lift RPM through wider demand and managed optimization, but they require significant traffic and take a share. Below their thresholds, AdSense (optionally with Ezoic) is the practical choice.
What traffic do I need for Mediavine or Raptive?
Mediavine typically requires around 50,000 sessions a month and Raptive around 100,000 pageviews a month, but requirements change — confirm current numbers on their sites before applying.
Does PushRPM compete with these networks?
No. PushRPM is a WordPress optimization layer for AdSense publishers, not an ad network. It helps you earn more from AdSense and present better whether or not you later switch.
Will switching networks fix a low RPM?
Not by itself. If low RPM comes from poor viewability, placement, or layout shift, a new network inherits those issues. Optimize the page first, then compare networks on your real numbers.