Mediavine vs Raptive: Which Ad Network Is Right for You?

Overview

Mediavine and Raptive (formerly AdThrive) are two of the most respected ad networks in the publisher ecosystem. Both are known for delivering high RPMs and providing white-glove ad management, but they differ in traffic requirements, revenue models, and the types of publishers they serve best. Choosing between them can significantly impact your monthly earnings and overall publishing experience.

Mediavine launched its Journey program in recent years, lowering the barrier to entry dramatically. Raptive, meanwhile, reduced its pageview minimum from 100,000 to 25,000 in October 2025, making it accessible to a wider range of creators. This guide breaks down every meaningful difference to help you make the right choice.

Traffic Requirements

Mediavine offers two tiers of entry. The Journey program accepts publishers with as few as 1,000 sessions per month, making it one of the most accessible premium-tier networks available. Once your site generates $5,000 in annual ad revenue, you automatically upgrade to their full ad management tier with improved revenue share and additional features.

Raptive requires a minimum of 25,000 pageviews per month. Sites between 25,000 and 99,999 pageviews must have at least 50% of their traffic from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Sites above 100,000 pageviews need only 40% from those markets. This geographic requirement is more specific than Mediavine’s.

For smaller publishers, Mediavine’s Journey program is a clear advantage. You can start earning premium RPMs much earlier in your growth journey and scale into the full program naturally. Raptive’s 25K threshold, while lower than its historical 100K requirement, still demands meaningful organic traffic.

Revenue Potential

Both networks are known for strong RPMs, typically ranging from $15 to $40+ for US traffic depending on niche and season. Mediavine’s Journey program starts at a 70% revenue share, which increases as you grow. Their full program offers a higher share that rewards loyalty and traffic volume.

Raptive is known for particularly strong RPMs in lifestyle, food, and parenting niches, where advertiser demand is high. They offer competitive revenue shares and have historically been among the highest-paying networks for English-language content. Payment is NET 45 for both networks, with direct deposit available.

In terms of raw earnings per session, both networks perform similarly at scale. The difference often comes down to niche fit and the specific advertiser demand each network can bring to your content vertical.

Ad Technology

Mediavine uses a proprietary ad management script that emphasizes Core Web Vitals and page speed. Their technology lazy-loads ads and uses server-side header bidding to minimize client-side impact. They also offer a video player, recipe card plugin (Mediavine Create), and the Grow social sharing and engagement suite.

Raptive employs advanced header bidding with connections to major SSPs and DSPs. Their ad optimization uses machine learning to test placements and maximize yield. Raptive also provides tools beyond ads, including SEO guidance, social strategy, and business growth consulting as part of their creator-first approach.

Both networks handle implementation for you. Once accepted, their teams install the ad code, configure placements, and optimize over time. Neither requires you to manage ad operations yourself.

Ease of Getting Started

Mediavine’s application requires Google Analytics 4 (GA4), good AdSense standing, and passing Core Web Vitals. The review process takes 2–4 weeks. For Journey applicants, the bar is lower since the traffic threshold is minimal, but content quality and site health still matter.

Raptive’s application is also manual and typically takes 1–3 weeks. They evaluate traffic quality, content originality, and geographic distribution. Having a clean Google Analytics history with consistent organic growth helps your application significantly.

Both networks are selective about content quality. Thin content, AI-generated text without editorial oversight, or sites with policy violations will be rejected by either network regardless of traffic volume.

Who Should Choose Mediavine?

Mediavine is ideal for publishers who are still growing but want to start earning premium RPMs early. If your site has between 1,000 and 25,000 sessions per month, Mediavine’s Journey program is your best path to premium ad revenue. Lifestyle, food, travel, and DIY bloggers tend to perform particularly well on Mediavine.

Publishers who value site speed and Core Web Vitals will appreciate Mediavine’s lightweight ad script. Their technology is specifically designed to minimize performance impact, which matters for both user experience and SEO rankings.

Who Should Choose Raptive?

Raptive is a strong choice for established publishers with 25,000+ pageviews who want a partner that goes beyond ad optimization. Their consulting services, SEO tools, and business growth resources make them more than just an ad network. If you want strategic guidance alongside ad revenue, Raptive delivers.

Publishers with strong US and English-speaking traffic will benefit from Raptive’s deep advertiser relationships in those markets. Their RPMs for US traffic are consistently among the highest in the industry, particularly in competitive niches like finance, food, and home improvement.

The Verdict

Both Mediavine and Raptive are excellent choices for serious publishers. The deciding factor is often your current traffic level. If you are under 25,000 pageviews, Mediavine Journey is your best option since Raptive simply will not accept you yet. If you are above 25,000 pageviews, both networks will deliver strong results, and the choice comes down to which platform’s tools, culture, and niche fit align with your goals.

Many publishers apply to both and go with whichever accepts them first or offers better terms for their specific niche. You cannot run both simultaneously, so commit to one and give it 3–6 months to fully optimize before considering a switch. Use a free ad network readiness scan to see which networks your site currently qualifies for.