Head to head · Best Video Monetization Platforms
Meta Audience Network vs YouTube
YouTube scores higher overall (3.6 vs 3.3), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you.
| Criterion | Meta Audience NetworkFair Fit | YouTubeFair Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.3 | 3.6— higher score for YouTube |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.5 | 3.7— higher score for YouTube |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 3.0 | 3.5— higher score for YouTube |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 3.4 | 3.5 |
| Best for | Small, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Small, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Pricing | Revenue share (CPM) | Free to upload; platform takes 45% of long-form ad revenue and 55% of Shorts revenue via the Partner Program. |
Meta Audience Network
- Access to Facebook/Meta's enormous advertiser demand pool
- Advanced audience targeting using Meta's first-party data
- Strong CPMs for US and major market audiences
- Requires compliance with Meta's publisher policies — strict and can change
- Privacy concerns around Meta data integration
- CPMs outside US and Europe significantly lower
YouTube
- Dominates the video platform market with 75% market share
- Biggest reach of any platform with 2.5 billion+ active users
- Built-in keyword assignment and multilingual translation tools
- History of unreliable monetization — the 2017 'Adpocalypse' saw advertisers withdraw funding
- Publishers lack control over their content and may get lost in the noise of uploads
- YouTube keeps 45% of ad revenue (creators receive 55%)
Common questions
Is Meta Audience Network or YouTube better?
YouTube scores higher overall (3.6 vs 3.3), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you. Meta Audience Network scores 3.3/5 and YouTube scores 3.6/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Meta Audience Network or YouTube?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Meta Audience Network scores 3.4/5 and YouTube scores 3.5/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into 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 rankings.
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Both tools are scored in Best Video Monetization Platforms. See alternatives to Meta Audience Network or alternatives to YouTube.
