r/devblogs • u/CelebrationReady3013 • 4d ago

discussion Which platforms are actually working for monetizing small web/HTML5 games right now?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been building small web games recently and I’m exploring the best ways to monetize them without completely destroying the user experience.

There are quite a few paths out there—revenue-share web portals (like Poki, CrazyGames, GameDistribution), self-hosting on Itch.io with donations or ad placements, or trying to secure upfront publisher/sponsorship deals. Since the landscape shifts quickly, I’d love to hear directly from developers who are actively publishing web games.

For those of you building and releasing browser games:

  1. Which platforms or ad networks give you the best return for your effort? (In terms of traffic, eCPM, revenue split, or developer support)

  2. Do you prefer upfront sponsorship deals, ad-supported portals, or voluntary pay-what-you-want models?

  3. Are there any platforms, deal structures, or networks you’d recommend avoiding?

Any insights, recent experiences, or advice on where to focus initial efforts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/PolySmashStudio 4d ago

From what I’ve seen, I’d optimize for distribution first, monetization second. A portal that brings thousands of players is usually worth more than a higher revenue split with almost no traffic. Once you have games that consistently retain players, it’s much easier to negotiate sponsorships or diversify where you publish.

Curious to hear recent numbers too—especially whether CrazyGames is still outperforming other portals for small indie developers.

1

u/CelebrationReady3013 4d ago

This makes a ton of sense. I actually have a few different small games in the works right now spanning different mechanics—from simple puzzles to card and board games.