Today there are 154 different ad intelligence software. We spent 70 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to stay on top of competition.
What is the Best Ad Intelligence Software?
- Semrush — best of the best
- BigSpy — best for multi-platform ads
- AdSpy — best for Meta ads
- Similarweb — best for website analysis
- AppTweak — best for App Store ads
- Sensor Tower — best for mobile ads
- SpyFu — best for search and PPC
1. Semrush
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: Starts at $139/month
Semrush is the ultimate tool for those who want to run better PPC campaigns. We think it’s the best of the best because of its never-ending history on all your favorite advertisers which lets you see what has worked best across the years.
The Best Part:
Time-travel. With access to historical data, you’ll be able to find seasonal trends and long-term winners to help with your ad tactics.
The Worst Part:
Steep learning curve. Semrush comes loaded with great features, but getting the hang of all of them may take a while.
Get it if you want unbeatable keyword research and PPC tools.
I recommend you get started with a 7-day free trial, then get the Semrush One Starter plan at $199/month.
(7-day free trial)
Best For
Semrush is best for anyone who runs ads on Google.
Top Features
Keyword research master. Semrush is probably the best tool for keyword research, making it easier for you to figure out which keywords you should be using on your PPC campaigns.
Stay on top. With Semrush’s AdClarity tool, you’ll get to see display, video, native, mobile ads… nothing will escape your eyes.
All the top platforms. Google Ads, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google Display Network, YouTube… the list goes on.
Follow the money trail. Track competitor ad spend to benchmark your budgets, allowing you to allocate resources more effectively.
Find their secrets. Discover where your competitors are placing their ads, along with their ad buying methods and strategies.
Annual billing saves 17%.
All paid plans come with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Try Semrush One with a 7-day free trial.
2. BigSpy
Our Verdict — Best For Multi-Platform Ads
Price: Starts at $9/month
BigSpy is the ad spy for those looking to find and track their competitors’ ads on multiple platforms. We think it’s the best for multi-platform ads because it works with so many different platforms.
The Best Part:
Left and right. With ads from 9 different ad platforms, you’ll be on top of your Google Ads, Meta ads, native ads, and more. Everything you need.
The Worst Part:
Could be a bit more intuitive. BigSpy’s user interface can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers, at first.
Get it if you want to learn from your competitors’ efforts.
I recommend you get started on the 3-day trial.
(3-day trial for $1)
Best For
BigSpy is best for agencies and entrepreneurs who want to leverage their competitors’ ads to boost their results.
Top Features
It’s YUGE. With over 1 billion ads in the catalog, you can find great quality creatives… no matter what industry you’re in.
Ecom ready. Monitor over 40 e-commerce sites such as Amazon and Shopify and Amazon, so nothing’s out of your radar.
Find markets. Find niche trends, leverage market intelligence features, and ad placement strategies, to figure out new markets for your offers.
Detective work. Enter specific keywords, advertiser names, or more, to get a more comprehensive view on your best competitors.
Wallet-friendly. BigSpy comes with a free plan that gives access to basic features, so anyone can get started with their ad intelligence work.
Annual plans provide up to a 30% discount.
Try BigSpy today with a 3-day trial for $1.
3. AdSpy
Our Verdict — Best For Meta Ads
Price: $149/month
AdSpy is the largest database of Facebook and Instagram ads. We think it’s the best for Meta ads because of how comprehensive it is.
The Best Part:
All ads in one place. Uncover 168+ million ads on both Facebook and Instagram, and be on top of both of these platforms.
The Worst Part:
Short guarantee window. AdSpy only guarantees a refund if you ask for it within 24 hours of purchase.
Get it if you want access to the biggest Meta ads database ever.
I recommend you get started with the 30-day free trial.
(30-day free trial)
Best For
AdSpy is best for advertisers who want to enhance their performance with their Facebook and Instagram ads.
Top Features
All the filters. URL, page name, ad text, landing page text, affiliate network… So many filters, and so many possibilities to find the right ads.
Round the globe. You can find ads in 223 countries, in 88 different languages, to help you conquer new markets.
Accurate demographics. AdSpy has a wide network of contributors, which helps you to learn a little more about the specific demographic for each ad.
Quick as hell. No matter how large AdSpy’s database gets, every search that you run is done within seconds.
Big data. If there’s an offer that’s been killing it on either Facebook or Instagram… AdSpy will know it — and so will you.
Try AdSpy today with a free 30-day trial.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
Semrush | 7-day free trial | Starts at $139/mo |
BigSpy | Free trial | Starts at $9/mo |
AdSpy | 30-day free trial | $149/mo |
Similarweb | Free plan | Starts at $125/mo |
AppTweak | Free trial | Starts at $99/mo |
Sensor Tower | Free trial | Custom |
SpyFu | Free trial | Starts at $39/mo |
Here are the top 50 ad intelligence tools we considered in this review:
- Semrush
- BigSpy
- AdSpy
- Similarweb
- AppTweak
- Sensor Tower
- SpyFu
- Ahrefs
- WhatRunsWhere
- Kompyte
- MixRank
- Pathmatics
- Adthena
- Splitmetrics
- Adalyser
- Moat
- KeywordSpy
- WhoRunsAds
- AdClarity
- Adbeat
- Admetricks
- AdQuality
- Ask BOSCO
- Nielsen
- MobileAction
- BidX
- TelmarHelixa
- Apptica
- SocialPeta
- Comscore
- AppGrowing
- AppMagic
- SAO
- Numerator
- Swayable
- GoodSpy
- Growth Channel
- Appranking
- Auxo Ads
- Burt Intelligence
- adjinn
- Lifesight
- Ads Insight
- Arena Calibrate
- Samba TV
- DISPLAYCE
- AudienceReport
- Macaw
- PowerAdSpy
- Foreplay
Frequently Asked Questions About Ad Intelligence Software
What is ad intelligence software?
Ad intelligence software lets you spy on competitor advertising, showing which ads they run, where they place them, how much they spend, and what has worked over time. It helps you benchmark budgets, find winning angles, and stay ahead of competitors across search, social, and display.
What is the best ad intelligence software?
Semrush is our pick for the best overall thanks to its deep historical data on advertisers and its keyword and PPC tools. For specific needs, BigSpy is best for multi-platform ads, AdSpy is best for Meta ads, Similarweb is best for website analysis, AppTweak is best for App Store ads, Sensor Tower is best for mobile ads, and SpyFu is best for search and PPC. The right choice depends on which platforms and ad types you target.
What should I look for in ad intelligence software?
Look for broad platform coverage across search, social, and display, plus historical data on what competitors have run over time. You want to benchmark rival ad spend and see where they place their ads, so pick the tool that covers the platforms you compete on.
Is there a free trial for ad intelligence software?
Yes. Semrush offers a free trial, which is enough time to explore its competitor ad tracking and keyword research. Most tools in this category offer trials or entry tiers, so you can compare features before choosing the one that matches your platforms.
How does Semrush help with competitor ads?
Semrush gives you historical data to spot seasonal trends and long-term winners, and its AdClarity tool reveals display, video, native, and mobile ads across Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more. You can track competitor ad spend to benchmark your budgets and discover where rivals place their ads and how they buy them.
What is the best ad spy tool for Meta ads?
AdSpy is best for Meta ads because it focuses on Facebook and Instagram advertising. If most of your competition runs on Meta, AdSpy specializes there, while Semrush is the stronger all-around pick for search, PPC, and multi-platform ad intelligence.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best [product category] software to try this year: