The fastest way to make better ads is to study the ones that already work. Ad spy tools let you search ads competitors are running on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, see how long they've been live, and save the best ones for inspiration.
Here's how the main options compare in 2026, which one fits which platform, and how to use them without overpaying.
The quick comparison
| Tool | Main platforms | Best for | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdSpy | Facebook, Instagram | Deep search of a huge ad database | About $149/mo |
| PiPiAds | TikTok | TikTok product and ad research | From about $49/mo |
| WinningHunter | Facebook, TikTok | Finding winning products through ads | Varies |
| Atria | Multiple | Collecting and analyzing ad creative | Varies |
| GetHookd | Multiple | Swipe files and ad inspiration | Varies |
| Meta Ad Library | Facebook, Instagram | Free, basic search | Free |
| TikTok Creative Center | TikTok | Free top ads and trends | Free |
Prices are approximate US monthly prices, checked October 2026. "Varies" means the tool's pricing depends on plan and usage; check its site.
AdSpy: the Facebook and Instagram heavyweight
AdSpy is one of the longest-running ad spy tools and has one of the largest databases of Facebook and Instagram ads. You can search by keyword, advertiser, landing page, ad text and more, and filter by engagement and how long an ad has run.
Best for: sellers who advertise mainly on Meta and want serious filtering power.
Downside: at about $149 a month with a single plan, it's one of the priciest options.
PiPiAds: the TikTok specialist
PiPiAds focuses on TikTok ads. It's built for finding products that are taking off on TikTok and the video ads behind them, with filters for engagement, region and ad dates.
Best for: dropshippers and TikTok Shop sellers.
Downside: it's TikTok-first, so it won't replace a Meta-focused tool if you advertise on both.
WinningHunter: product research through ads
WinningHunter combines ad spying with product research. Instead of starting from an ad, you start from the product: it surfaces items that are trending in ads and stores, with the ads and stores selling them.
Best for: beginners who are still choosing what to sell.
Atria and GetHookd: creative inspiration
Atria and GetHookd are less about raw search and more about building a library of great ads. They're built around saving ads into collections, so you can study hooks, angles and formats and brief your own creatives.
Best for: brands and creators who make lots of ad creative and want an organized swipe file.
Pair them with CreativeOS for ready-made ad templates.
Don't skip the free tools
Before paying for anything, try the free options:
- Meta Ad Library shows every active ad on Facebook and Instagram. Filters are basic, but it's official and complete.
- TikTok Creative Center shows top-performing ads, trending hashtags and songs.
For many beginners these are enough to get started. Paid tools add better filters, engagement data and history, which matter more once you're testing products every week.
How to choose
- Pick by platform. Meta ads: AdSpy. TikTok ads: PiPiAds. Both: you'll likely want one of each.
- Pick by goal. Choosing a product: WinningHunter. Making better creative: Atria or GetHookd.
- Start free, then upgrade. Use the free libraries until their limits slow you down.
Getting several without paying for each
Using AdSpy and PiPiAds together already costs about $200 a month. If you also want product research and creative tools, the bill climbs quickly.
The Luxury Tools membership includes AdSpy, PiPiAds, WinningHunter, Atria, GetHookd, CreativeOS and ShopHunter, plus Kalodata, Canva Pro and AI tools, for $29.95 a month. See the full tool list.
A simple ad research routine
- Search your product's keyword in AdSpy or PiPiAds.
- Filter for ads that have been running for 30+ days. Those are likely profitable.
- Save the 10 best into a collection and note the hook in the first three seconds.
- Write three new hooks inspired by them, not copied from them.
- Make the ads (Canva, CapCut, an ElevenLabs voiceover) and test them.
For the rest of the toolkit, read The complete ecommerce tool stack for 2026.