That viral product you just spotted? Your competitors already knew about it three months ago.

While you're manually scrolling through Meta's Ad Library hoping to stumble upon the next winning campaign, savvy ecommerce brands are using sophisticated adspy tools to systematically uncover profitable trends before they peak.

The difference between catching a trend early versus late can mean thousands in lost revenue. Yet, most entrepreneurs still rely on guesswork and gut feelings. Here's the reality: modern Meta advertising requires real-time competitive intelligence, not hunches.

The right adspy tool doesn't just show you ads - it reveals the exact targeting, creative strategies, and scaling patterns behind today's most successful ecommerce brands.

1. Trendtrack.io: the best meta ad spy tool for e-commerce

Data freshness and update frequency

Trendtrack.io updates its data in real time, keeping you ahead of market trends. The platform’s engine runs constantly, with the Chrome extension used by over 10,000 users and updated frequently—the latest update was in April 2025. The web app, launched the same month, focuses on speed and relevance.

You can spot a product ad on Facebook in the morning, and by lunchtime, Trendtrack has already identified the store, estimated its traffic, and revealed the creative behind the campaign. Users praise this speed, reflected in its 4.99/5 rating on the Chrome Store from nearly 100 reviews. Trendtrack adapts quickly to what’s trending in the market, giving you timely insights.

Supported ad networks and platforms

Trendtrack.io focuses on the main platforms where e-commerce thrives: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and TikTok. It provides a deep, actionable database with over 300,000 Shopify stores analyzed and a steady flow of fresh Meta and TikTok ads.

This cross-platform approach lets you spot a product gaining traction on TikTok and instantly check if it’s also trending on Facebook. If you’ve missed trends because they started on another platform, Trendtrack acts as your safety net.

Filtering and search options: how to find winning products and ads

Trendtrack offers precise filtering to help you find winning ads quickly. You can search by:

• Format (image, video)
• Number of duplicates
• Days running
• Launch date
• Type of advertiser (big player, rising star)
• Category

For example, you can filter to see only video ads in the pet niche from the last week with just a few clicks.

Beyond ads, Trendtrack links each ad to the exact product and store. It shows which apps power the store, estimated revenue, and traffic sources. This gives you clear insights into your competitors’ strategies, turning guesswork into informed decisions.

Pricing and plans: is there a free trial or free version?

Trendtrack’s pricing is simple:

• Starter: €59/month
• Pro: €89/month
• Business: €149/month

Even the Starter plan includes unlimited saved ads, favorite shops, and Chrome extension sync. Higher tiers unlock unlimited trending ads and more tracked shops, ideal for agencies or teams. For solopreneurs, the entry plan provides enough features to get started effectively.

Unique features and benefits: real-time trend alerts and competitor monitoring

Trendtrack’s Brand Tracker acts as your personal radar for competitor activity. It alerts you the moment a rival launches a new ad campaign. You can add fast-growing stores to your watchlist and let Trendtrack monitor them for you.

Collaboration is easy. You can share findings with a click, build creative boards, and send public links to clients or teammates. This eliminates the need for screenshots or spreadsheets, delivering actionable insights ready to use.

The multi-language keyword search helps serious product researchers find shops selling similar products worldwide. It works like a global focus group at your fingertips.

2. Minea

Data freshness and update frequency

Minea’s ad database updates constantly, adding over 1 million new Facebook ads daily. It holds a total archive of more than 200 million ads.

Supported ad networks and platforms

Minea covers a wide range of social advertising platforms beyond the usual Facebook and Instagram. It includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.

This broad coverage lets you track trends as they move across different platforms. For example, a product gaining traction on TikTok today might become popular on Facebook tomorrow. Minea helps you follow these shifts effectively.

Filtering and search options: using AI-powered filters for product discovery

Minea’s search uses AI-driven discovery to help you find products gaining momentum based on engagement spikes, ad spend, and comment sentiment.

You can even search within ad comments to find customer feedback on product quality, shipping, or results. This level of insight helps turn guesses into data-backed decisions.

Pricing and plans: understanding the credit system and plan limitations

Minea’s pricing works like a buffet—you pay for the access you need. The Starter plan ($49/month) offers 10,000 credits, suitable for solo entrepreneurs doing focused research.

The Premium plan ($99/month) provides 100,000 credits and unlocks advanced AI features.

Larger teams can choose the Business plan ($399/month), which offers nearly unlimited credits.

Credits are spent when you view ad details or run searches, so heavy users should monitor their balance. There is also a free Lite version, which serves as a basic sampler rather than a full tool. It’s a low-risk way to explore Minea’s capabilities before committing.

Unique features and benefits: influencer marketing and supplier research tools

Minea is more than an ad spy tool—it offers multiple features for product researchers. One key feature is influencer ad tracking, showing which influencers promote products on TikTok or Instagram. This helps marketers identify effective influencer partnerships.

Another valuable tool is supplier and market saturation analysis. If a product is trending on Facebook, Minea reveals how many stores sell it and helps you find suppliers on platforms like AliExpress. This helps you avoid crowded markets, a common challenge for dropshippers.

3. AdSpy

Data freshness and update frequency

AdSpy offers a massive database with over 155 million Meta ads in 88 languages across more than 220 countries. This extensive collection lets you explore past trends, like last Black Friday’s hits, or catch new campaigns as they launch.

However, AdSpy focuses exclusively on Meta platforms. It does not cover TikTok, Pinterest, or other emerging networks. If your priority is Meta, this tool fits perfectly. For other platforms, you’ll need a different solution.

Supported ad networks and platforms

AdSpy specializes in Meta’s ecosystem, covering Facebook and Instagram exclusively. It does not include TikTok, Google, or Pinterest ads. This focus means you get detailed, niche data across every language and audience on Meta. For marketers centered on Facebook and Instagram, this is a major advantage. But if you want broader coverage, AdSpy’s specialization may feel limiting.

Filtering and search options: advanced search capabilities for granular targeting

AdSpy excels in precise filtering. You can search ads by:

• Ad text and URLs
• Engagement metrics like likes and comments
• Date ranges
• Keywords within user comments
• Demographics and affiliate networks

For example, you can find beauty ads targeting women aged 25-34 in France with over 10,000 likes that mention “glow” in comments. This level of detail helps you reconstruct entire marketing strategies. Agencies can track every creative, copy variation, and targeted audience of a competitor’s product launch. Power users often reverse-engineer six-figure campaigns by following these digital clues.

Pricing and plans: justifying the premium price tag

AdSpy costs $149 per month with no free trial or entry-level plan. This price suits agencies and researchers who need deep insights into Meta’s ad landscape. For solo dropshippers, it may feel expensive. But for professionals, it’s an investment that can pay off with a single successful product.

AdSpy is clear about its audience: it’s a professional tool for serious users. Occasionally, promo codes appear, but the pricing reflects its advanced capabilities and focus on expert users.

4. BigSpy

Data freshness and update frequency

BigSpy operates like a busy city market—constantly open and changing. Its database holds over 1 billion ads. This vast collection gives you access to a wide range of ads.

If you are a dropshipper on a Monday morning, BigSpy’s real-time updates help you find new trends quickly. You can filter for Facebook or TikTok ads launched “today” to catch fresh products early. This feature lets you spot viral products before others do.

BigSpy’s strength lies in delivering fresh ads across major platforms, helping you stay ahead of trends.

Supported ad networks and platforms

BigSpy covers a wide range of platforms, making it a versatile tool for ad intelligence. It includes:

• Facebook & Instagram
• TikTok
• AdMob
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Yahoo
• Unity (mobile game ads)
• AdMob

This broad coverage gives marketers a panoramic view of the digital ad space. You might see a kitchen gadget trending on TikTok, then notice it promoted on Facebook later. Or spot a mobile game ad on Unity hinting at new gaming merchandise trends.

BigSpy’s multi-platform reach lets you monitor ads across various channels, not just one.

Filtering and search options: finding top-performing ads across multiple platforms

BigSpy offers simple but effective search tools. You can filter ads by:

• Ad text keyword
• Advertiser or brand
• Platform (Shopify, Woocomerce, ...)
• Language & country
• Date range
• Creative type (video, image, carousel) and metadata (such as size, resolution, ...)
• Engagement (likes, shares, views)
• Marketing objectives

While it doesn’t provide highly detailed filters like audience gender or comment searches, it casts a wide net to find relevant ads.

The “Top Ads” or “Ad Ideas” sections act like a curated mood board, showing trending ads across categories. This saves time by highlighting what works now.

Pricing and plans: navigating the freemium model and plan limitations

BigSpy offers accessible pricing with two main plans:

• Basic plan ($9/month): Allows 20 queries per day but no in-app video playback. Suitable for beginners or casual users.
• Pro plan ($99/month): Removes limits, offers unlimited searches, and full video playback. Ideal for agencies and heavy users.

There is also a $1 three-day trial to test the service.

Unique features and benefits: budget-friendly option for cross-platform spying

BigSpy stands out as an affordable, user-friendly ad spy tool. It suits solo entrepreneurs and small teams who want to track trends on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube without high costs.

Its multi-platform coverage helps you spot trends early, such as a product gaining popularity on Pinterest before Facebook. The “Top Ads” feature saves hours by showing what’s working now.

5. Dropship.io

Data freshness and update frequency

Dropship.io updates top-performing stores and products every 24 hours, keeping you informed about current trends.

Ad data comes from Facebook’s Ad Library and a user-powered Chrome extension, refreshing continuously. When a new campaign gains traction, your dashboard reflects it almost immediately.

This daily update cycle helps you stay relevant in a fast-moving market where product popularity can change overnight.

Supported ad networks and platforms

Dropship.io focuses on Facebook and Instagram, the main platforms for DTC and dropshipping ads.

It does not include TikTok or Pinterest data.

Filtering and search options: integrating ad data with product and store analytics

Dropship.io combines ad data, product analytics, and store performance into one platform.

Filters let you search by product keyword, engagement, date, or call-to-action.

Pricing and plans: evaluating the all-in-one platform pricing

Dropship.io offers plans that balance cost and features:

• Basic: $39/month, includes 10,000 ad credits and 20 daily searches in product and competitor databases.
• Standard: $59/month, increases limits and adds weekly product recommendations and more competitor tracking.
• Premium: $99/month, offers unlimited ad searches, up to 50 tracked stores, and management of 100 products.

A 7-day free trial requires no credit card, letting you test the platform before committing.

6. PowerAdSpy

Data freshness and update frequency

PowerAdSpy offers a database of around 350 million ads. Unlike tools that emphasize historical archives, PowerAdSpy highlights trending ads as they happen, similar to a live news ticker for ad creatives.

Supported ad networks and platforms

PowerAdSpy covers multiple platforms, including:

• Facebook and Instagram (Meta)
• YouTube
• Google Display Network
• Reddit
• Quora
• Native ad platforms (available on higher plans)
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn

While TikTok is not included, PowerAdSpy’s coverage of Quora and Reddit offers unique insights. Agencies or brands running multi-channel campaigns can discover unexpected angles and untapped audiences through these platforms.

Filtering and search options: keyword search and ad performance tracking

PowerAdSpy’s filtering system helps you find ads by:

• Keyword
• Ad text
• Engagement metrics
• Ad placement

For example, you can search for video ads in the beauty niche with over 1,000 likes in the past week. The ad tracker lets you bookmark ads and monitor their engagement over time, such as likes and comments.

A digital agency pitching a skincare client can filter for Facebook video ads in that niche and sort by engagement growth over 14 days. Spotting a competitor’s ad that jumped from 500 to 5,000 likes provides clear evidence of a successful campaign. This data-driven insight improves pitches and strategy.

Pricing and plans: understanding the tiered pricing system and network access

PowerAdSpy offers tiered plans:

• Basic (€49/month): unlimited Facebook ad searches
• Standard (€99/month): adds Instagram
• Higher tiers: unlock YouTube, Google, native ads, Reddit, and Quora
• Palladium (€399/month): full access

A 10-day free trial is available. Each plan unlocks specific networks, so you can control costs by choosing only the platforms you need. The Standard or Premium plans often balance cost and network access well.

Factors to consider based on your business goals

The “Swiss army knife” or the “surgical scalpel”? matching tools to your ambition

Imagine standing in a crowded marketplace where sellers compete for attention. Some push familiar products, while others quietly profit from items you haven’t seen yet. The difference lies in how sharp their intelligence is—how quickly they spot trends, understand competitors, and act on real data.

Choosing a Meta ad spy tool means finding one that fits your business’s stage, goals, and workflow—not just the one with the most features.

Are you a solo founder launching your first store, trying to avoid another failed product? Or do you run an agency juggling client demands and hunting for creative breakthroughs before competitors catch on?

Let’s explore real-world scenarios to guide your choice—no generic charts, just practical advice.

Scenario 1: the early-stage hustler – speed over everything

You’re launching your first Shopify store with a tight budget and limited time. Every euro spent on tools is one less for ads. You need to spot winning products before trends fade, but you can’t drown in data.

What matters most:

• Real-time trend detection
• Simple, actionable insights
• Affordable entry point

For example, a French solopreneur uses Trendtrack’s Chrome extension to spot a rising pet gadget store. She sees the exact Facebook ad creative and validates the store’s traffic spike. She launches her campaign the same day—no guesswork, no wasted hours. She beats others to market in her niche.

Scenario 2: the agency operator – data-backed pitches and creative edge

You run a boutique digital marketing agency. Clients expect you to know what works before they do. You need to justify every euro spent and want better data than screenshots from Meta Ad Library and Similarweb.

What matters most:

• Deep competitor monitoring
• Collaborative features for team and client sharing
• Reliable, up-to-date data for reporting

For instance, a Paris agency uses Trendtrack’s Brand Tracker to monitor a client’s top competitors. When a rival launches a new UGC video ad, the team gets an instant alert. They analyze the creative, see the traffic spike, and pitch a similar campaign backed by data. The client is impressed, the campaign outperforms, and the agency secures a retainer.

Scenario 3: the data-driven product researcher – pattern recognition and market validation

You don’t want to copy viral gadgets. You want to understand why products succeed and quantify demand before advising your team.

What matters most:

• Granular filtering and historical data
• Integration of ad, store, and product analytics
• Ability to spot micro-trends before they go mainstream

For example, a product analyst at a DTC brand uses Dropship.io to compare Facebook ad spend with store revenue estimates. She notices a spike in ad spend for a niche kitchen tool, but sales plateau. Using Minea’s AI filters, she checks if the trend appears on TikTok and Pinterest. The product peaks on Meta but just starts trending on TikTok—a window for a new creative angle.

Beyond the features: the hidden costs of “tool hopping”

Chasing the “biggest database” or “most AI-powered” platform can backfire. Each extra tool means more logins, exports, and time lost stitching insights together. The real cost includes hours spent reconciling data, missed trends while toggling tabs, and creative fatigue from overload.

A crucial insight:The best tool fits seamlessly into your workflow, not the one with the flashiest marketing. Consolidating ad, store, and trend data in one place—as Trendtrack does—reduces time lost and increases time acting on what matters.

Making the Most of Meta Ad Spy Tools in 2025

Choosing the best Meta adspy tool comes down to understanding your specific needs and budget - while comprehensive solutions like Trendtrack.io offer the most value by combining store analytics, ad intelligence, and trend monitoring in one platform, specialized tools may better serve businesses with narrow, specific requirements in their competitive research strategy.