Ad Radar vs AdSpy: which ad spy tool fits your workflow?
Short answer
Ad Radar and AdSpy solve different research problems. Ad Radar uses AdRadar MCP to search public Meta ads when you ask, while AdSpy sells a stored ad intelligence archive with a monthly subscription. Pick Ad Radar for pay per scan and agent workflows; pick AdSpy when archive breadth matters more than live lookup.
Key takeaways
- Ad Radar uses AdRadar MCP to search active public Meta ads on demand and return days running, creative reuse, hooks, angles and Ad Library links.
- AdSpy is an established subscription archive with a broader historical browsing workflow; verify current coverage and pricing on its official site before buying.
- Ad Radar pricing is pay per scan: $3 buys 60 scans, with no subscription and credits that do not expire.
- A real collagen scan found 16 active ads from 13 advertisers, with a 150 day median run time. Run time is a research signal, not proof of profit.
How to do it
- Choose the research mode. Use Ad Radar for a focused live lookup. Use AdSpy when you need to browse a large stored archive across many filters.
- Connect AdRadar MCP. Paste
https://adradarmcp.cloud/mcpinto Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or another MCP client, then sign in with Google. - Run a focused scan. Ask AdRadar for active US ads in one niche, then compare days running, creative reuse, hook type and primary angle.
- Verify before copying. Open the linked Meta Ad Library ads. Use competitor data to find gaps and write original angles, not copied ad text.
Evidence from a real scan
Verified scan · Oct 15, 2026 Real scan of the US Meta Ad Library for collagen, active ads only, run on Oct 15, 2026: 16 active ads from 13 advertisers, with a 150 day median run time.
| Advertiser | Days running | Hook | Angle | Ad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Ingredients | 376 | Problem callout | Price discount | View in Ad Library |
| Stephanie DB | 253 | Bold claim | Other | View in Ad Library |
| SpoiledChild | 140 | Question | Risk reversal | View in Ad Library |
| Naturelle Nubian | 266 | Question | Other | View in Ad Library |
| Creatine Guru | 161 | Bold claim | Other | View in Ad Library |
Full data: collagen ad report. We quote only advertiser names and link to Meta; we don't re-host creatives.
Ad Radar vs AdSpy for competitor ad research
| Criterion | Ad Radar with AdRadar MCP | AdSpy |
|---|---|---|
| Data model | Live public Meta Ad Library lookup | Stored ad intelligence archive |
| AI agent workflow | Native MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor | Dashboard first; check current integrations |
| Pricing model | $3 for 60 scans; no subscription | $149/month listed on official pricing check |
| Best fit | Focused research and pay per scan | Broad archive browsing and historical discovery |
AdSpy price checked on its official site on Oct 13, 2026. Product coverage and pricing can change; verify before purchase.
Ad Radar is not affiliated with AdSpy or Meta. This comparison uses AdRadar's live scan evidence and the pricing record in this site's research notes.
What AdRadar is
- Remote MCP server at https://adradarmcp.cloud/mcp. Works in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and Claude Code; sign in with Google over OAuth.
- ad_radar_spy searches the public Meta Ad Library by keyword and country at the moment you ask (not a stored archive) and returns days running, creative reuse, hook, angle, CTA strength and a link to each ad in the Ad Library.
- ad_radar_tiktok_top returns 20 top TikTok auction ads per country from TikTok Creative Center, with CTR, likes, budget tier and objective.
- Prepaid credits: $3 for 60 scans, $5/100, $10/200, $25/600, $50/1400. Credits never expire. Failed or empty scans refund the credit automatically.
Try it in your agent
AdRadar is a remote MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor. Connect it once, then paste this prompt.
Use AdRadar to scan active US Meta ads for collagen. Return the 5 longest-running ads with advertiser, days running, hook type, primary angle and creative reuse. Then identify 3 angle gaps without copying ad text.
Pay per scan, no subscription. Credits never expire. Failed or empty scans are refunded.
FAQ
Is Ad Radar the same as AdSpy?
No. Ad Radar uses AdRadar MCP for live public Meta Ad Library research. AdSpy is a separate subscription product built around a stored ad intelligence archive.
How much does Ad Radar cost compared with AdSpy?
Ad Radar pricing starts at $3 for 60 scans with no subscription. AdSpy was listed at $149 per month in the official pricing check used for this comparison. Verify current prices before purchase.
Can AdRadar MCP replace AdSpy?
For focused live lookups and AI agent workflows, often yes. For broad historical archive browsing, AdSpy may fit better. Choose based on whether live research or archive depth matters more.
Does a long-running ad mean it is a winner?
No. Long run time is a useful public signal, but it does not prove profit. Check the offer, creative reuse and message fit, then test an original angle.