Amazon Publisher Services (APS) vs Google AdSense
Amazon Publisher Services (APS)
Shaping the future of digital advertising
Publishers using it: 56 · incl. ABC27, Business Insider, Daily Mail
Google AdSense
Monetize website content through automated high-quality ads targeted to your specific digital audience
Publishers using it: 89 · incl. ALTBalaji, BuzzFeed, Deccan Chronicle
Publishers running both: 6
Last verified Nov 11, 2026
At a glance
- Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 4.0/5 and Google AdSense scores 4.1/5 in Benchmark Grid's independent ad networks benchmark, both assessed on the same 10 criteria.
- The widest gaps are demand access & header bidding (Amazon Publisher Services (APS) 4.7, Google AdSense 1.8) and integration & ad-ops workload (Amazon Publisher Services (APS) 2.8, Google AdSense 4.8); they are within 0.3 on 1 of 10 criteria.
- Amazon Publisher Services (APS) is built for mid-market and enterprise publishers; Google AdSense for small and mid-market.
- On total cost of ownership Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 3.7 and Google AdSense 4.7 (higher means better value, not a lower price).
- In our tracking 56 publishers use Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and 89 use Google AdSense; 6 run both.
- Scores last verified 11 Nov 2026. Vendors cannot pay for a score or a position.
Where they differ
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) is stronger on demand access & header bidding (4.7 vs 1.8) and revenue yield & RPM uplift (4.6 vs 3.0).
Google AdSense is stronger on integration & ad-ops workload (4.8 vs 2.8) and eligibility & onboarding (4.5 vs 3.0).
Which one fits
Choose Amazon Publisher Services (APS) if…
- You publish at mid-market and enterprise scale.
- You weight demand access & header bidding, revenue yield & RPM uplift and page speed & Core Web Vitals impact heavily — Amazon Publisher Services (APS) leads on those in this benchmark.
Choose Google AdSense if…
- You publish at small and mid-market scale.
- You weight integration & ad-ops workload, payment terms & reliability and eligibility & onboarding heavily — Google AdSense leads on those in this benchmark.
Also weighing these
The nearest-scored tools to Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and Google AdSense in this benchmark, listed A to Z.
- 4.0Google AdX (via GAM)A unified ad-serving and programmatic exchange platform for maximizing cross-screen digital revenueRead review
- 4.1Media.netGlobal contextual advertising leader providing high-yield programmatic and native solutions for publishersRead review
- 4.1MediavineA full-service ad management platform optimizing revenue through lifestyle-focused programmatic advertisingRead review
- 4.1MonetizeMoreAI-driven ad operations platform for maximizing revenue through header bidding and fraud protectionRead review
All 36 scored tools are in Best Ad Networks for Publishers.
Who uses them
Publishers we have detected running each tool, from ads.txt, site code and published case studies. Agencies, brands and vendors are excluded.
Running both (6): GIGAZINE, Livemint, New York Magazine, The Daily Caller, Vanguard, 9to5Mac
Head to head
| Criterion | Amazon Publisher Services (APS) | Google AdSense |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue yield & RPM uplift16% of capability | 4.6 | 3.0 |
| Demand access & header bidding14% of capability | 4.7 | 1.8 |
| Ad quality & brand safety controls12% of capability | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Publisher control & transparency12% of capability | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Page speed & Core Web Vitals impact10% of capability | 4.3 | 3.2 |
| Payment terms & reliability10% of capability | 3.3 | 4.8 |
| Integration & ad-ops workload8% of capability | 2.8 | 4.8 |
| Reporting & reconciliation8% of capability | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Consent & privacy readiness5% of capability | 2.8 | 4.2 |
| Eligibility & onboarding5% of capability | 3.0 | 4.5 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 3.7 | 4.7 |
Cost of ownership
| Sub-score | Amazon Publisher Services (APS) | Google AdSense |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 3.0 | 4.6 |
| Entry cost | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Implementation cost | 2.0 | 4.7 |
| Hidden-fee risk | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Ongoing cost | 4.5 | 4.6 |
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) pricing
No publisher fee; a 2.5% service fee is charged to bidders.
Google AdSense pricing
Free to join; Google pays publishers a revenue share (typically 68% for AdSense for Content and 51% for AdSense for Search).
What users say
Amazon Publisher Services (APS)
10 positive · 3 neutral · 0 negative
Google AdSense
3 positive · 26 neutral · 39 negative
Mentions we could not tie to a real user, and those flagged as promotional, are excluded. Sentiment is opinion, and is independent of the verified publisher adoptions above.
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 4.0 and Google AdSense scores 4.1 in Benchmark Grid's independent Best Ad Networks for Publishers benchmark (benchmarkgrid.com/vs/amazon-publisher-services/google-adsense, verified Nov 11, 2026)
Common questions
How do Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and Google AdSense differ?
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) is stronger on demand access & header bidding (4.7 vs 1.8) and revenue yield & RPM uplift (4.6 vs 3.0). Google AdSense is stronger on integration & ad-ops workload (4.8 vs 2.8) and eligibility & onboarding (4.5 vs 3.0). Neither is better in the abstract — which one suits you depends on which of those dimensions carries the most weight in your operation.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Publisher Services (APS) or Google AdSense?
On total cost of ownership — pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 3.7/5 and Google AdSense scores 4.7/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed against its category's published criteria (10 in this benchmark), which make up Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher fit (40%) and Total cost of ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or positions.
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Both tools are scored in Best Ad Networks for Publishers. See alternatives to Amazon Publisher Services (APS) or alternatives to Google AdSense.
Weighing a third option? Add a tool to this comparison.
Where to next
Related comparisons
Other head-to-heads publishers look at in Best Ad Networks for Publishers.
