TL;DR: AdSpy built its reputation on a massive database and powerful search filters, making it the go-to for dropshippers hunting Facebook ads. But at $149/month for search-only functionality, teams are looking for more value. Benly offers a 50M+ ad database, AI creative generation, and analytics integration for $99/month. Choose AdSpy if you only need raw database size. Choose Benly if you want search connected to production and performance.
Why Teams Look for AdSpy Alternatives
AdSpy earned its place as the original Facebook ad spy tool. The 200M+ ad database, detailed search filters (by engagement, demographics, landing pages), and focus on e-commerce made it essential for dropshippers and affiliate marketers. For pure ad discovery, AdSpy set the standard.
But as advertising workflows evolve, friction points emerge:
- High price for search-only: At $149/month for a single plan, AdSpy is expensive for a tool that only searches. No tiers means small teams pay the same as large agencies.
- No creative generation: After finding winning ads, you need separate tools to create your versions. AdSpy shows what works but doesn't help you produce it.
- No analytics integration: Zero connection to your ad accounts. You can't track which inspired creatives actually perform or get performance insights.
- Limited platform coverage: Primarily Facebook and Instagram focused. As advertisers diversify to TikTok, YouTube, and Google, AdSpy's database becomes less complete.
- Dated interface: The UI hasn't evolved significantly, making workflows slower compared to modern platforms with AI-powered search.
These gaps don't diminish AdSpy's database quality. But teams needing a complete creative intelligence workflow find themselves paying $149/month for search plus $100-300/month for generation and analytics tools on top.
Benly as an AdSpy Alternative
Benly takes a different approach: integrated creative intelligence that goes beyond search. Instead of stopping at "here's what competitors are running," Benly connects discovery to production to performance in one platform.
The practical difference: find a winning ad pattern in the 50M+ database, generate on-brand variations with AI, launch to your ad accounts, and track which versions win—without switching tools or manually transferring data.
At-a-glance comparison
| Capability | AdSpy | Benly |
|---|---|---|
| Ad database size | 200M+ ads (claimed) | 50M+ ads with daily updates |
| Platform coverage | Facebook, Instagram | Meta, TikTok, Google, YouTube |
| Search capabilities | Detailed filters, keyword search | AI-powered natural language search |
| AI creative generation | Not available | 100+ on-brand variations per brief |
| Analytics integration | Not available | Connected to Meta, TikTok, Google |
| Monthly price | $149/month (single plan) | $99/month (Starter, all features) |
Feature Comparison
Ad database and discovery
AdSpy claims 200M+ ads, primarily from Facebook and Instagram. The database strength lies in depth: detailed engagement metrics, demographic targeting data, landing page URLs, and historical ad data going back years. Search filters include advertiser, text, comments, likes, and more.
Benly maintains 50M+ ads updated daily across Meta, TikTok, Google, and YouTube. While the raw count is smaller, the AI-powered search changes how you discover. Natural language queries like "DTC skincare UGC testimonials with hook text" return relevant results faster than filter-based searching.
Bottom line: Choose AdSpy if you need maximum Facebook/Instagram database depth and don't mind filter-based search. Choose Benly if you need cross-platform coverage and faster AI-powered discovery.
Creative generation
AdSpy does not include any creative generation. It's purely a search and discovery tool. After finding winning ads, you export reference images and manually recreate in design tools or use separate AI generators.
Benly includes AI creative generation producing 100+ on-brand variations from any brief or saved ad. See a competitor's winning concept, click to generate your brand's version with your colors, fonts, and messaging. The workflow from discovery to production happens in one place.
Bottom line: AdSpy requires separate generation tools adding $29-149/month. Benly includes generation, eliminating that cost and the workflow friction.
Analytics and performance tracking
AdSpy has no analytics integration. It's a standalone database with no connection to your ad accounts. You cannot track which creatives perform, compare results, or get optimization insights.
Benly connects to Meta, TikTok, and Google ad accounts. See which generated creatives win, identify patterns in top performers, and get AI recommendations. Natural language queries like "why did CPA increase this week?" provide instant analysis.
Bottom line: AdSpy users need separate analytics tools ($72-199/month). Benly includes connected analytics, closing the loop from inspiration to results.
Pricing and value
AdSpy offers a single plan at $149/month. No tiers, no scaling options. Whether you're a solo dropshipper or a large agency, you pay the same price for the same search-only functionality.
Benly starts at $99/month for the full platform including database, AI generation, and analytics. Growth ($249/month) and Scale ($499/month) plans add team features and dedicated support for larger operations.
Bottom line: Benly's Starter plan is $50/month cheaper than AdSpy while including features AdSpy doesn't offer at any price.
Pricing Comparison
AdSpy pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $149/month | Full database access, unlimited searches, all filters |
AdSpy occasionally offers discounts through affiliate deals or seasonal promotions, but the standard price remains $149/month with no tier options.
Benly pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $99/month | Full platform: 50M+ ads, AI generation, analytics |
| Growth | $249/month | Additional ad accounts, team features, priority support |
| Scale | $499/month | Unlimited accounts, white-label, dedicated CSM |
Total cost comparison
AdSpy at $149/month seems straightforward until you add the tools needed for a complete workflow:
| Tool | With AdSpy | With Benly |
|---|---|---|
| Ad spy database | $149/month (AdSpy) | Included |
| TikTok ad coverage | $49-99/month (separate tool) | Included |
| AI creative generation | $29-149/month (AdCreative.ai) | Included |
| Analytics dashboard | $72-199/month (Supermetrics) | Included |
| Total | $299-596/month | $99/month |
Teams using AdSpy with additional tools typically save $200-500/month by consolidating to Benly. Even AdSpy alone at $149 is more expensive than Benly at $99 with more features.
Who Should Stay with AdSpy
AdSpy remains the right choice for specific scenarios:
- Dropshippers focused on Facebook who need maximum database depth for product research
- Affiliate marketers who primarily analyze landing pages and funnel structures from ads
- Research-only use cases where you don't produce ads yourself, just analyze competitors
- Users who need historical data going back years for trend analysis
Ideal AdSpy customer: A dropshipper who spends hours researching Facebook ads to find winning products, has separate systems for creative production, and doesn't need TikTok or Google coverage.
Who Should Switch to Benly
Benly makes more sense when your workflow extends beyond search:
- Performance marketers who need discovery connected to production and analytics
- Agencies managing multiple clients who need cross-platform coverage and team features
- DTC brands running on TikTok where AdSpy's Facebook focus isn't sufficient
- Teams producing high creative volumes who need AI generation integrated with research
- Cost-conscious teams who want more features at a lower price point
Ideal Benly customer: A DTC brand or agency producing 100+ ads monthly across Meta and TikTok, who needs to discover patterns, generate variations quickly, and track what actually performs—all without managing multiple tool subscriptions.
Switching from AdSpy
What you gain
- AI creative generation: Turn saved ads into on-brand variations instantly
- Analytics integration: Connect your ad accounts to track performance
- Cross-platform coverage: Add TikTok, Google, and YouTube to your research
- Natural language search: Find ads faster with AI-powered queries
- $50/month savings: Even before counting eliminated tool subscriptions
What's different
- Database size: 50M+ vs 200M+ claimed—but with broader platform coverage
- Historical depth: Benly focuses on recent, relevant ads over extensive archives
- Filter approach: AI search replaces some manual filter combinations
Getting started
Benly offers a 7-day free trial with full platform access:
- Test the 50M+ database against your typical searches
- Try AI generation on discovered ads
- Connect an ad account to see analytics
- Compare workflow speed to your current process
- No credit card required to start
Most AdSpy users can evaluate in 1-2 days whether Benly's integrated approach suits their workflow better than search-only at a higher price.
What Customers Say About Switching
Switched from AdSpy
"I used AdSpy for three years—it's great for finding ads but that's all it does. Switching to Benly cut my tool costs in half and I can actually generate creatives from what I find. Should have switched sooner."— E-commerce Store Owner, 7-Figure Revenue
"The AI search alone made Benly worth it. Instead of clicking through 20 filters, I type what I want and get relevant ads in seconds. Plus generation and analytics I didn't have before. And it costs less."— Media Buyer, Performance Agency
Results after switching
- E-commerce brand reduced monthly tool spend from $400 to $99
- Agency cut time from research to creative production by 70%
- DTC brand increased creative testing velocity 3x with AI generation
- Solo marketer eliminated three separate subscriptions
Getting Started
Ready to explore Benly as an AdSpy alternative? Start with a 7-day free trial:
- Full access to 50M+ ad database across Meta, TikTok, Google, YouTube
- AI creative generation included
- Analytics connection available
- Natural language search for faster discovery
- No credit card required
The best way to evaluate: run your typical AdSpy searches in Benly. See if the AI search finds what you need faster. Test generating variations from discovered ads. Connect an ad account to see analytics. Most teams find the integrated workflow and lower price make the decision straightforward.
