Best Ad Spy Tools (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Your competitors are already showing ads to the people you want to reach. An ad research tool, often called an ad spy tool, collects those ads into a searchable library so you can see what messages, images and offers are out there. It won't tell you what works for your business, but it can save you hours of guessing.

This page lists ten tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Three are better-known names and the rest are smaller or more focused. I've taken each description from the tool's own website and directory listings, so check the current details before you sign up. If you want the method as well as the tools, my guide to spying on competitors is worth a read.

Ad research tools at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free level. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means neither is stated. Most ad research tools are subscription services, so a free level is usually limited.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Adbeat	Display and native ad research	Seeing where competitors advertise online	Yes
AdPlexity	Ad intelligence suite	Native, push and display ad research	No
AdSpy	Social ad library	Searching Facebook and Instagram ads	No
Anstrex	Native and push ad research	Spotting competitor native and push ads	No
Atria	Ad library and analytics	Ad research alongside creative tools	No
BigSpy	Multi-network ad library	Browsing creatives across social networks	Yes
Foreplay	Swipe file and ad library	Saving and organising ad ideas	Trial only
Minea	Ecommerce ad and product research	Finding products and ads that sell	No
PowerAdSpy	Multi-network ad search	Searching ads across many networks	Trial only
SocialPeta	App and game ad intelligence	Studying app and game advertising	No

Ten ad research tools

Adbeat

Best for: Advertisers who want to see which sites and networks a competitor uses, starting on a free level.

AdPlexity

Best for: Performance marketers who research native, push and display campaigns and book a demo first.

AdSpy

Best for: Advertisers who want a large searchable library of Facebook and Instagram ads.

Anstrex

Best for: Marketers running native or push campaigns who want to see what competitors are running.

Atria

Best for: Brands and agencies who want ad research, analytics and creative tools in one platform.

BigSpy

Best for: Small businesses who want to browse ad creatives across networks and can start on a free level.

Foreplay

Best for: Creative teams and freelancers who want to save competitor ads and organise them into boards.

Minea

Best for: Online store owners who research products and the ads promoting them across networks.

PowerAdSpy

Best for: Advertisers who want to search ads across many networks from one place.

SocialPeta

Best for: App and game marketers who study how others advertise on social and video platforms.

Start with the free library from Meta

Before you subscribe to anything, try the Meta Ad Library. It's Meta's own public tool, and it shows the ads that businesses are running on Facebook and Instagram. You can search by business name or topic without making an account. It won't give you the history or filters that specialist tools add, but it's a sensible first step and shows whether you need more.

What an ad research tool can and can't tell you

• It shows what's running. You can see images, copy, calls to action and often the landing page.
• It doesn't show results. Most tools estimate how long an ad has run, but they can't see what it earned.
• Longevity is a hint, not proof. An ad that has run for months might be working, or nobody might have switched it off.
• Coverage varies. Each tool covers different networks and countries, so check yours is included.
• Data is often partial. Treat any estimate of reach or spend as a rough guide.

How to choose an ad spy tool

• Networks covered. Make sure it includes the places you advertise, whether that's social, search, native or video.
• Search and filters. Look for filters by country, language, format and date.
• Saving and sharing. A way to save ads into boards helps if more than one person is involved.
• Fresh data. Ask how quickly new ads appear in the library.
• Trial arrangements. A short trial lets you test with your own competitors before you commit.

Once you've found ideas, test them rather than copy them. My cheat sheet on testing ad creative shows how to do that in an orderly way.

Using ad research tools fairly

Studying ads that are public is ordinary market research. Copying a competitor's images, wording or branding is a different matter, and it can breach copyright, trade mark rules or advertising standards. Use what you find for inspiration about angles, formats and offers, then make your own versions. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

If you'd like a wider view of the tools around running ads, my guide to features in a Facebook ad management tool might help.

Why a smaller ad spy tool can be a smart pick

Smaller tools often cover one corner well, such as ecommerce, native ads or app marketing, so you get more relevant results with less clutter. They can also be quicker to try. Before you commit, check that the library is updated often and search for a competitor you know is advertising.

Do you make an ad research or ad library tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Making your final choice among ad spy tools

Choose two that cover your networks and run the same searches in each. Search for three competitors you know, then compare how many of their ads each tool finds and how quickly you can save the ones you like. Keep the one that matched what you can already see yourself.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ad spy tool?

It's software that collects ads from advertising networks into a searchable library, so you can see what competitors are running.

Is it legal to look at competitors' ads?

Looking at public ads is normal market research. Copying someone's images, wording or branding is different and can cause problems. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

Is there a free way to see Facebook and Instagram ads?

Yes. Meta's public Ad Library lets you search ads that businesses are running on its platforms.

Can an ad research tool tell me which ads make money?

No. It can show how long an ad has run and what it looks like, but not what it earned for the advertiser.

Do I need one for a small business?

Not always. The free library from Meta may be enough to start. A specialist tool helps once you're researching often or across several networks.

How should I use what I find?

Use it to spot patterns in angles, formats and offers, then write and test your own versions.