AdSpy costs $149 per month, has no free trial, and only covers Facebook. That's a problem when most successful marketers need TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram data too. Plus, many smaller businesses simply can't justify spending that much on ad research.

The good news? There are now dozens of better alternatives. Some cost as little as $9 per month. Others are completely free. Many cover way more platforms than AdSpy ever did.

Here's what's changed: Tools like BigSpy and PowerAdSpy now track billions of ads across 9+ platforms. Ecommerce-focused platforms like Trendtrack combine ad data with store analytics and revenue estimates. Free tools like Facebook's own Ad Library give you solid research capabilities without spending a dime.

The bottom line: You don't need to pay AdSpy's premium prices for basic ad research anymore.

Quick Comparison: Top AdSpy Alternatives

Here's a snapshot of the best alternatives to help you narrow down your options. We've focused on starting prices, trial availability, and what each tool does best. Use this to identify 2-3 tools worth testing before diving into the detailed reviews below.

How Ad Spy Tools Actually Work

Think of ad spy tools as search engines for advertisements. They continuously scan platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, collecting every ad they find. Then they organize this data so you can search for ads by product, country, engagement, or dozens of other filters.

What makes a good ad spy tool in 2025?

Platform coverage matters most. TikTok drives huge ecommerce sales now. YouTube ads are growing fast. If your tool only covers Facebook, you're missing most of the action.

Fresh data beats big databases. Getting yesterday's ads is more valuable than having millions of old ones. Look for tools that update daily or even hourly.

Smart filtering saves time. The best tools let you find exactly what you need quickly. Search by engagement level, ad format, target country, or even specific products.

Extra features add value. Landing page downloads, competitor alerts, and store analytics help you understand not just what ads are running, but why they work.

Best Paid AdSpy Alternatives

1. Trendtrack: Built for Ecommerce Success

Trendtrack goes beyond simple ad spying. It combines ad data with store analytics, traffic estimates, and revenue tracking. Starting at $47/month (with annual discount), it's designed specifically for ecommerce marketers.

What sets Trendtrack apart: Instead of just showing you ads, it reveals the complete picture. You see which stores are growing, what products are trending, and how much revenue top competitors might be making. The Chrome extension gives you instant insights on any Shopify store.

Key features: Tracks 300,000+ Shopify stores, 8.9+ million ads across Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. Revenue estimation helps you validate opportunities before investing time and money.

Pricing (2025): Starter at $47/month, Professional at $71/month, Business at $119/month (annual pricing with 20% discount).

Perfect for: Shopify store owners, dropshippers, ecommerce agencies, and anyone serious about online retail competitive intelligence.

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2. PowerAdSpy: Your Multi-Platform Solution

PowerAdSpy covers 11 platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Google, YouTube, and Reddit. At $49 per month with a 10-day trial, it gives you way more than AdSpy for a third of the price.

Why PowerAdSpy works well: The interface feels modern and intuitive. You can set up alerts when competitors launch new campaigns. The Chrome extension lets you research ads while browsing normally. Plus, their AI identifies trending creatives before they go viral.

Current pricing: Plans from $49-299/month. They often run 50% off deals for annual plans. The 10-day trial gives you real time to test it properly.

Perfect for: Marketers running campaigns on multiple platforms, ecommerce businesses, and agencies handling different types of clients.

Honest take: The data quality is solid, and the interface is user-friendly. Some features feel overwhelming at first, but most users get comfortable within a week. Customer support responds quickly when you need help.

3. BigSpy: Maximum Value for Small Budgets

BigSpy tracks over 1 billion ads across 9 platforms, starting at just $9 per month. They also offer a free plan that actually works for basic research.

What makes BigSpy special: The database is huge and updates constantly. They're particularly strong on TikTok and ecommerce ads. The tool connects ads to actual products and stores, which helps you understand the full funnel.

Pricing breakdown: Free plan (5 searches daily), Basic at $9/month, Pro at $99/month. They offer $1 trials and regular discount codes that can cut costs in half.

Best for: Small businesses, solo marketers, and anyone starting with ad research. It's also great for TikTok advertising since that's where BigSpy really shines.

Reality check: The interface can feel cluttered. Customer service isn't always quick to respond. But for the price, you get incredible value. Many successful marketers use BigSpy as their primary tool.

4. Anstrex: For Performance Marketing Specialists

Anstrex focuses on high-converting ad formats: native ads, push notifications, and TikTok campaigns. At $69.99/month, it's built for marketers who need to see exactly how top performers structure their funnels.

Anstrex advantages: The landing page ripper downloads complete pages with all files. You get carrier-level targeting data for mobile campaigns. Real-time alerts notify you when competitors launch new campaigns. The focus on performance marketing means deeper data quality.

Coverage: 27+ native networks, 38+ push networks, plus dedicated TikTok intelligence. It's narrower than multi-platform tools but goes much deeper in these specific areas.

Best for: Affiliate marketers, performance advertisers, and media buyers focused on native advertising or push traffic.

Consider if: You need broad social platform coverage. Anstrex excels in performance marketing but isn't designed for traditional social media brand campaigns.

5. Social Ad Scout: Precise Targeting Intelligence

Social Ad Scout shows you exactly who competitors target. Instead of guessing, you see specific demographics like "women aged 25-34 in Texas interested in fitness." Plans run $97-147/month.

Unique features: Live ad interaction lets you see ads exactly as users do. Cloaking detection reveals hidden campaigns. The residential IP collection ensures you get accurate data from different locations.

Coverage: 21 countries with a deep focus on Facebook and Instagram. The narrower scope allows for much more detailed targeting insights.

Perfect for: Social media marketers who need precise audience data, Facebook advertising specialists, and businesses targeting specific demographics.

Limitations: Platform coverage is limited compared to multi-platform tools. Higher per-user cost makes it expensive for larger teams.

6. AdPlexity: The Professional Standard

AdPlexity remains the gold standard for affiliate marketers, with separate tools for native ($149/month), mobile ($199/month), and push advertising ($199/month). No free trial, but they offer detailed demos.

Why professionals choose AdPlexity: 17% annual discounts and the deepest coverage in each specialized area. Real-time alerts and complete landing page downloads. It's expensive because it serves people who can justify the cost with better campaign performance.

Best for: Established media buying operations, agencies with specialized clients, and experienced affiliates who need the highest quality data available.

Skip if: You're budget-conscious, need multi-platform coverage in one tool, or you're just starting with affiliate marketing.

7. SocialPeta: Global Mobile Intelligence

SocialPeta specializes in mobile app advertising intelligence, tracking campaigns across 70+ countries and 40+ ad networks. With custom enterprise pricing, it's built for companies that need global mobile ad insights at scale.

What makes SocialPeta different: Deep focus on mobile app advertising, including playable ads, video ads, and interactive formats. The platform tracks app store optimization alongside ad campaigns, giving you the complete mobile marketing picture.

Key strengths: 40+ million mobile ads in the database, coverage across major markets including Asia (where many tools are weak), detailed app store intelligence, and API access for enterprise integrations.

Pricing approach: Custom quotes based on usage and requirements. Generally positioned for enterprise users and larger organizations rather than individual marketers.

Best for: Mobile app developers, game companies, enterprise marketing teams, and agencies specializing in mobile advertising campaigns.

Consider alternatives if: You're focused on web-based ecommerce, need transparent pricing, or work primarily with social media advertising rather than mobile apps.

Free and Budget-Friendly Options

8. Facebook Ad Library: The Best Free Tool

Facebook's Ad Library gives you complete access to all Facebook and Instagram ads for free. No registration required, unlimited searches, real-time data straight from Meta.

What you get: Every active ad on Facebook and Instagram, basic targeting info, landing page screenshots, and enhanced transparency features in Europe showing audience demographics.

Limitations: No advanced analytics, limited targeting data outside Europe, no bulk downloads, no competitor alerts. But for basic competitive research and creative inspiration, it's perfect.

Pro tip: Use it with Google Sheets to organize findings manually. Many successful marketers build solid research processes using just this free tool, plus some organization.

9. TikTok Creative Center: Free Trending Intelligence

TikTok's Creative Center provides real-time trending data, top-performing ads, and commercial music libraries completely free. You just need a TikTok Business account.

Free features: Top Ads dashboard, Trend Discovery showing hot hashtags and songs, commercial music library, and AI script generation through Symphony Assistant.

Value: You get platform-native trends before they hit other tools. The commercial music library alone saves hundreds in licensing fees monthly.

Best use: TikTok-specific research, trend timing, and creative concept development. Combine with other tools for full competitive intelligence.

10. Discovery by Foreplay: Premium Quality, Limited Time

Foreplay offers a 7-day free trial with access to 27+ million curated ads. Unlike automated tools, real marketers select which ads make it into their database, so quality is higher.

Trial includes: Full Discovery access, unlimited saving, AI brief generation, and Chrome extension. Advanced features like competitor tracking require upgrading.

Post-trial: $49/month (Solo) or $99/month (Team). The community curation justifies higher pricing for users who want quality over quantity.

Strategic use: Perfect for short-term projects or quarterly competitive analysis. Seven days gives you enough time for comprehensive research if you plan it right.

11. Dropispy: Ecommerce Focus with Real Free Tier

Dropispy provides a genuinely useful free plan for ecommerce research, plus premium features at €29.90/month (€14.90 with annual discount).

Free tier: Unlimited searches, basic ad viewing, Chrome extension, and media downloads. Advanced filters and detailed analytics require a premium plan.

Ecommerce specialization: 40+ million ads focused on dropshipping and ecommerce, product-to-store connections, and competitive pricing analysis.

Best for: Dropshipping product research and budget-conscious ecommerce marketers.

Niche-Specific Recommendations

For TikTok Advertising

Top choice: PipiAds - Dedicated TikTok tool with 50+ million TikTok ads, $77/month with $1 trial. Strongest database specifically for TikTok campaigns.

Budget option: BigSpy - Includes TikTok in multi-platform coverage starting at $9/month. Less specialized but better value.

Free option: TikTok Creative Center - Direct platform data for trending content.

For Native Advertising

Professional choice: Anstrex Native - $69.99/month, covering 27+ native networks with landing page tools.

Premium option: AdPlexity Native - $149/month with 11+ years of historical data.

Budget option: PowerAdSpy - Includes native advertising in multi-platform coverage starting at $49/month.

For Ecommerce and Shopify

Specialized leader: Trendtrack - All-in-one ecommerce intelligence starting at $47/month (annual). Purpose-built for online retailers.

Budget-friendly: Dropispy - €29.90/month with a strong ecommerce focus and a free tier.

Multi-platform: BigSpy - $9/month including ecommerce tracking across 40+ platforms.

How to Choose the Right Tool

Small Business or Startup (Budget: $0-50/month)

Start with free tools: Facebook Ad Library plus TikTok Creative Center cover most basic research needs.

Upgrade to: BigSpy ($9-99/month) when you need multi-platform coverage and trend detection.

Consider: Dropispy's free tier if you're focused on ecommerce.

Growing Agency (Budget: $50-150/month)

Primary choice: PowerAdSpy ($49-149/month) for comprehensive platform coverage.

Ecommerce focused: Trendtrack ($47-119/month) for all-in-one competitive intelligence.

Specialized needs: Anstrex ($69.99/month) for native/push campaigns.

Enterprise Operations (Budget: $150+/month)

Professional standard: AdPlexity ($149-249/month) for specialized, high-quality data.

Multi-tool approach: Combine specialized tools for different platforms and campaigns.

Simple Decision Process

Step 1 - Pick your platforms:

• Facebook/Instagram only → Facebook Ad Library or Social Ad Scout
• Multi-platform → PowerAdSpy or BigSpy
• TikTok focused → PipiAds or TikTok Creative Center
• Ecommerce/Shopify → Trendtrack or Dropispy

Step 2 - Set your budget:

• $0-25/month → Free tools plus strategic trials
• $25-75/month → BigSpy, Dropispy, or Anstrex
• $75-150/month → PowerAdSpy, Social Ad Scout, or Trendtrack
• $150+/month → AdPlexity or enterprise solutions

Step 3 - Match specific needs:

• Landing page analysis → Anstrex or AdPlexity
• Store intelligence → Trendtrack or Dropispy
• Precise targeting data → Social Ad Scout
• Team collaboration → Foreplay or PowerAdSpy

Stay Ahead of the Competition

In e-commerce, timing is everything. Spot emerging trends early and capitalize on them before the market gets saturated.

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Making the Switch from AdSpy

Before You Cancel AdSpy

Document everything (2-4 weeks before): Screenshot your key searches and document your current research process. AdSpy doesn't let you export data, so save important ads and campaigns manually.

Trial smartly: Test 2-3 alternatives using your actual business searches, not generic testing. Get your whole team involved in the evaluation.

Plan for overlap: Budget for running both tools briefly during the transition.

During the Switch

Run parallel systems: Keep AdSpy active while setting up your new tool. This prevents any gaps in your research capabilities.

Recreate searches manually: Rebuild your important saved searches in the new platform. Most tools don't import AdSpy data.

Train your team: Run hands-on training sessions. Even user-friendly tools require adjustment time.

Test everything: Verify all your critical research processes work in the new tool before fully committing.

After You Switch

Cancel cleanly: Make sure you cancel AdSpy properly to avoid overlapping charges.

Optimize workflows: Take advantage of features AdSpy never offered, like TikTok coverage or store analytics.

Track improvements: Monitor how the new tool affects your campaign performance and research efficiency.

Keep learning: Gradually adopt advanced features as your team gets comfortable.

Common Challenges

Data loss: You'll lose saved searches and organized data from AdSpy. Plan for manual recreation and expect 1-2 weeks of reduced productivity.

Learning curves: Even simple tools require adjustment time. Budget for training and expect 2-4 weeks before everyone's fully productive.

Feature differences: New tools may lack specific AdSpy features while offering others AdSpy didn't have. Focus on overall workflow improvement rather than exact feature matching.

Your Next Steps

AdSpy's single-platform approach doesn't match what most marketers need today. The market has moved toward multi-platform coverage, real-time insights, and flexible pricing.

The winning approach:

• Free tools (Facebook Ad Library, TikTok Creative Center) for basic research
• One comprehensive paid tool (PowerAdSpy, BigSpy, or Trendtrack) for primary intelligence
• Specialized tools for specific projects

Start this week:

1. Go free first: Set up Facebook Ad Library and TikTok Creative Center accounts
2. Trial strategically: Pick 2-3 alternatives based on your needs
3. Test with real searches: Use actual business research, not generic testing
4. Get team input: Include daily users in the decision
5. Plan the migration: Document your current process before switching

Better tools exist to improve your competitive intelligence while cutting costs. The question isn't whether to move beyond AdSpy, but which alternative fits best.

Choose the tool your team will actually use consistently. Your competitive advantage comes from insights you apply, not tools you own.