12 Best Facebook Ads Spy Tools for 2025 (Find Winning Ads)
Discover the top 12 Facebook ads spy tools to analyze competitor strategies, find winning creatives, and inspire your next campaign. Start spying today!
Nov 6, 2025
Running profitable Facebook ads can feel like a guessing game. You spend hours creating campaigns and writing copy, only to see your budget disappear with little to show for it. What if you could skip the trial and error and go straight to what works?
This is where Facebook ads spy tools come in. These powerful platforms give you a behind-the-scenes look at your competitors' advertising strategies. Instead of guessing, you can see their top-performing ad images, video clips, sales copy, and targeting angles.
This guide breaks down the 12 best Facebook ads spy tools available today. For each one, we provide a clear, honest review with screenshots, pros, cons, and pricing to help you find the perfect fit. Whether you are an early-stage founder validating an idea or a growth marketer looking for a competitive edge, you'll find a tool here to turn your competitors' ad spend into your market intelligence. We've included direct links to each platform so you can start your research immediately.
1. Proven SaaS
Best For: Validating SaaS Ideas with Proven Ad Spend
Proven SaaS stands out by focusing on a specific, high-value niche: uncovering profitable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) ideas. It uses AI to connect Meta's ad data to real companies, estimates their monthly revenue, and shows their entire marketing funnel. This makes it less of a general-purpose ad library and more of an end-to-end market validation platform.
For founders and growth teams, this tool answers a critical question: "Is someone already making money with this idea using Facebook ads?" It shifts the focus from simple ad creative analysis to strategic market discovery. By tracking sustained ad spend over time, it helps you find opportunities with clear, existing demand, significantly reducing the guesswork in launching a new product.
Key Strengths
Proven SaaS excels by delivering actionable intelligence rather than just raw data. Its AI-powered engine maps ad campaigns to specific landing pages and models revenue growth, providing a clear picture of what's working in the market right now. This allows you to find a validated niche and build your go-to-market strategy based on proven competitor funnels.
AI-Powered Revenue Modeling: Estimates monthly revenue and growth trends based on public ad metrics, helping you gauge market size.
Funnel Reconstruction: See the exact landing pages competitors use to turn ad clicks into customers.
Focused Database: Tracks over 14,500 SaaS opportunities, with data updated frequently.
Actionable Data Points: Provides top-performing ads, audience targeting insights, and AI-driven categorization to speed up research.
A Clear Example
An entrepreneur wants to build a new project management tool but isn't sure which niche to target. Using Proven SaaS, she filters for SaaS companies spending over $10k per month on Meta ads in the "Productivity" category. She identifies three competitors with consistent ad spend and an estimated MRR of over $50k. The platform shows her their best ad videos, the exact sign-up funnel they use, and the key features they highlight. This data validates the niche and provides a proven blueprint for her own launch strategy.
Our Take: Proven SaaS is an exceptional choice for anyone in the SaaS space. It transforms ad data into a powerful validation engine, helping you build businesses based on proven demand, not just a hunch.
Pricing: Access is via a paid subscription. Specific pricing tiers are not public and require signing up.
Website: proven-saas.com
2. Meta Ads Library
Best for: Quick, free, and official competitor ad checks.
The Meta Ads Library is the official and completely free ad transparency tool from Facebook's parent company, Meta. It’s an essential starting point for any ad research because it provides direct access to a massive database of active ads across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. While other tools offer more advanced analytics, the Ads Library is the definitive source for what's currently running.
Its strength is its simplicity and accuracy. You can search for any brand's page and instantly see all their live ads. This makes it perfect for quick competitor checks or finding inspiration for your own campaigns. As an official resource, it gives you a raw, unfiltered look at your rivals' advertising.
Key Features & Use Cases
Search by Advertiser: Look up a competitor’s Facebook Page to see every ad they are currently running.
Keyword Search: Search for ads containing specific keywords (e.g., "CRM software") to see how different brands are positioning their products.
A Clear Example: A local coffee shop owner wants to see what kind of ads Starbucks is running. They simply search "Starbucks" in the Ads Library, select their country, and can instantly view all active ads, including videos for new drinks and promotions.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Completely free to use | No performance data (likes, shares, spend) |
Official and most accurate data source | Cannot see historical or inactive ads |
Very easy to use for quick searches | Lacks advanced filtering options |
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/
3. AdSpy
Best for: Deep research into historical ad campaigns.
AdSpy is a classic platform for performance marketers and affiliates, known as one of the most powerful Facebook ads spy tools available. Its core strength is a massive, searchable database of historical ad creatives. This lets you see what has worked over time in any niche, not just what's currently active.
The platform is designed for deep research. AdSpy offers sophisticated filters that let you search by audience demographics (age, gender), user engagement (likes, shares), and even the technology used on an ad's landing page. This makes it essential for serious competitive research, allowing you to reverse-engineer successful campaigns from start to finish.
Key Features & Use Cases
Massive Historical Database: Search through millions of past ads to identify long-term trends and "evergreen" ad styles.
Advanced Search Filters: Drill down with precision using filters for keywords, demographics, engagement metrics, and more.
A Clear Example: A t-shirt company wants to launch a campaign for Valentine's Day. Using AdSpy, they can search for all Facebook ads that ran last February containing the keyword "valentine's gift" and filter for the ones with the most likes and shares. This instantly shows them proven designs and ad copy from previous years.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Very large historical dataset | Single pricing tier can be expensive for light users |
Advanced filtering for deep research | Interface can feel dated compared to newer tools |
Excellent for affiliate and e-commerce | Focus is primarily on Facebook/Instagram ads |
Website: https://www.adspy.com/
4. PowerAdSpy
Best for: Spying on ads across multiple platforms beyond Facebook.
PowerAdSpy is a versatile ad intelligence tool that extends beyond Meta, offering insights into campaigns on YouTube, Google, Reddit, and more. This makes it a strong value option for businesses that need a comprehensive feature set without an enterprise-level price tag. Its ability to track ads across multiple platforms is a powerful asset for understanding a competitor's complete digital advertising strategy.
This platform excels at providing granular filtering options, allowing users to zero in on specific ad types and demographics. Unlike more basic tools, PowerAdSpy lets you track specific advertisers over time and receive alerts on their new campaigns. Its low-cost trial options also make it accessible for users who want to test its capabilities before committing.
Key Features & Use Cases
Advanced Filtering: Sift through millions of ads using filters for keywords, domains, CTAs, country, and age to pinpoint relevant examples.
Competitor Tracking: Bookmark competitor pages and get alerts whenever they launch new creatives.
A Clear Example: A marketing agency wants to pitch a new client. Using PowerAdSpy, they can see the client's current Facebook ads and their Google and YouTube ads. This gives them a full picture of the competitor's strategy, allowing them to propose a more informed and effective plan.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Broad feature set for the price | Interface can be overwhelming for new users |
Multi-platform ad intelligence | Some advanced features are on higher tiers |
Low-cost trials make evaluation easy | Data processing can sometimes be slow |
Website: https://poweradspy.com/
5. BigSpy
Best for: Finding creative inspiration with a generous free plan.
BigSpy is a massive multi-platform ad intelligence tool that positions itself as a creative powerhouse. While it covers over ten different ad networks, its database of Facebook ads is one of the largest available, making it a strong contender for advertisers focused on creative discovery and trend analysis across multiple channels.
Its key differentiator is the sheer volume of its library. This makes it an excellent resource for brainstorming and identifying emerging creative trends. BigSpy offers a true free tier, allowing users to test its core functionality before committing, and a straightforward Pro plan for those needing more searches and advanced features.
Key Features & Use Cases
Multi-Channel Search: Search for ads not just on Facebook but on platforms like TikTok and Pinterest to understand a competitor's full creative strategy.
Creative Trend Analysis: Use its "Featured Ads" tool to identify top-performing creatives in your niche.
A Clear Example: A graphic designer is feeling uninspired. Using BigSpy's free plan, they can search for "SaaS" ads and see the latest design trends from Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest all in one place, sparking new ideas for their next project.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Generous free plan for basic use | Free plan limits can be restrictive |
Huge database across 10+ ad networks | Interface can feel less polished than competitors |
Simple and affordable Pro plan | Performance metrics are estimates |
Website: https://bigspy.com/
6. Minea
Best for: E-commerce brands wanting to connect winning ads to winning products.
Minea positions itself as a modern product and ad intelligence tool, making it a favorite among e-commerce marketers. It goes beyond a simple Facebook ads spy tool by integrating ad libraries from Meta, TikTok, and Pinterest with powerful shop analytics. This all-in-one approach helps users connect the dots between a successful ad, the product it's promoting, and the store that's selling it.
Its key differentiator is the seamless link between creative discovery and product validation. You can find a high-performing ad and immediately analyze the associated product's market potential. The AI-powered search for creatives and products simplifies the research process, allowing users to find winning combinations efficiently.
Key Features & Use Cases
Multi-Platform Ad Spying: Access ad libraries for Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest for a holistic view of a competitor's strategy.
Trending Product & Shop Analytics: Discover winning products with real-time data and analyze the top-performing stores in that niche.
A Clear Example: A dropshipper sees an interesting ad for a portable blender on Facebook. Using Minea, they can not only analyze the ad's performance but also see sales data for that specific product and get a list of other Shopify stores successfully selling it.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Combines ad, product, and store research | Credits-based model requires budgeting |
Excellent for e-commerce and dropshipping | Can be overwhelming for pure ad research |
Clear and well-defined pricing tiers | Most valuable features are in paid plans |
Website: https://www.minea.com/
7. Dropispy
Best for: New e-commerce entrepreneurs on a tight budget.
Dropispy is a highly popular and budget-friendly Facebook ads spy tool, particularly favored by dropshippers. It carves out a unique niche by combining an ad spy database with a "Shop Spy" feature, allowing users to analyze not just a competitor's ads but also their online store's performance. This makes it an excellent all-in-one solution for those starting in e-commerce.
The platform's strength lies in its approachable interface and affordability. It provides a massive, filterable ad database where you can search by engagement metrics or keywords to find winning products and campaign ideas. For anyone looking to understand the entire sales funnel from ad to store, Dropispy offers a streamlined and cost-effective way to gather intelligence.
Key Features & Use Cases
Ad Search & Filters: Find successful ads using filters for likes, shares, media type, and call-to-action.
Shop Spy: Analyze competitor Shopify stores to see their best-selling products and traffic estimates.
A Clear Example: Someone new to dropshipping wants to find a product to sell. They use Dropispy to search for Facebook video ads with over 10,000 likes in the last month. They find a popular ad for a pet grooming glove, then use the Shop Spy feature to see which stores are selling it and how much traffic they get.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Very low entry price and approachable UI | Free plan hides the most recent ads |
Useful store insights for ecommerce users | Fewer advanced metrics than higher-end tools |
Massive and frequently updated ad database | Can feel less polished than premium competitors |
Website: https://dropispy.com/
8. SocialAdScout
Best for: Advanced marketers who need detailed ad targeting data.
SocialAdScout is a specialist social ads spy tool focusing on Facebook and Instagram. Its key differentiator is the depth of its targeting data, allowing users to uncover the specific strategies driving successful campaigns. It goes beyond just showing the ad creative and copy.
The platform is designed for users who need to understand not just what is being advertised, but who is being targeted. By providing insights into demographics, interests, and geographic targets, it helps advertisers reverse-engineer competitor funnels and identify profitable audience segments. This level of detail makes it one of the more advanced tools for direct response marketing.
Key Features & Use Cases
Detailed Targeting Insights: Uncover the specific interests and demographics an advertiser is targeting.
Advanced Filtering: Search and filter ads by text, URL, device type, and more.
A Clear Example: An affiliate marketer is promoting a fitness app to women over 40. With SocialAdScout, they can search for similar apps and see the exact age ranges, locations, and interests their competitors are targeting, helping them build a much more precise audience for their own campaigns.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Detailed targeting intel beyond competitors | Pricing is not always publicly displayed |
Mature tool vetted by affiliate communities | Requires account creation to access details |
Excellent filtering for granular research | Interface can feel less modern than newer tools |
Website: https://socialadscout.com/
9. SocialPeta
Best for: Large teams needing enterprise-level, multi-channel intelligence.
SocialPeta is an enterprise-grade ad intelligence platform that goes far beyond typical Facebook ads spy tools. It offers a comprehensive suite covering social media, display ads, and mobile app advertising, making it a powerful solution for mid-market to large teams that require deep, multi-channel competitive insights.
Its key differentiator is the sheer breadth and depth of its data. SocialPeta provides intelligence not just on creatives but also on estimated ad spend, audience demographics, brand performance, and even influencer marketing campaigns. This makes it ideal for large-scale market research and understanding the entire digital ecosystem of a competitor.
Key Features & Use Cases
Global Creative Library: Access a massive database of ad creatives with multi-dimensional filtering.
Cost & Audience Intelligence: Gain insights into competitor ad spend, impressions, and targeting strategies.
A Clear Example: A large mobile gaming company wants to launch a new title in Asia. They use SocialPeta to analyze their top competitors' ad spend, creative strategies on Facebook and TikTok, and which influencers they are partnering with in Japan and South Korea.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Enterprise-level coverage across multiple ad networks | Pricing is not public and aimed at larger budgets |
Deep analytics on cost, audience, and brands | Can be overly complex for solo users or small teams |
Dedicated analyst support and consulting services | Steeper learning curve than simpler tools |
Website: https://socialpeta.com/
10. AdFlex
Best for: Marketers who need the freshest ad data and API access.
AdFlex is an ad intelligence platform focused on providing up-to-date ad data from Facebook and several other social networks. It indexes millions of new ads daily, making it a strong choice for marketers who need to stay on the cutting edge of trends. Its key differentiator is the depth of targeting information it provides.
Unlike simpler tools, AdFlex aims to reveal the "who" and "where" behind the ad. This includes details on targeting, placement, and engagement metrics. For teams with development resources, its API access allows for automated competitive research, setting it apart from many other tools.
Key Features & Use Cases
Detailed Targeting Data: Analyze ads based on placement, engagement, and interest targeting.
API Access: Integrate AdFlex data into your own dashboards or automated workflows.
A Clear Example: A data-driven marketing team wants to automatically track whenever their top five competitors launch a new video ad. They use the AdFlex API to build a custom dashboard that pulls in this data in real-time, giving them instant insights.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Excellent data freshness with millions of new ads daily | Pricing for paid tiers is not publicly listed |
Provides detailed targeting and placement insights | Full feature access requires contacting sales |
API option for automation and custom integrations | Interface can be less intuitive than some rivals |
Website: https://adflex.io/
11. Foreplay
Best for: Creative teams who need to save, organize, and share ad examples.
Foreplay is less of a traditional spy tool and more of a creative workflow platform. It excels at helping teams save, organize, and analyze ad creatives from the Meta and TikTok ad libraries. It focuses on turning inspiration into action by integrating research directly into the creative process.
Its primary strength is bridging the gap between spying on ads and producing new ones. Using its Chrome extension, you can easily save ads you discover into organized "Boards" (like Pinterest). From there, you can build creative briefs and share insights with your team, making it an indispensable tool for agencies and in-house marketing teams.
Key Features & Use Cases
Ad Saving & Organization: Use the Chrome extension to save ads directly from the Meta Ad Library into collaborative boards.
Creative Briefs & Reporting: Turn your saved ads into actionable creative briefs directly within the platform.
A Clear Example: An agency's creative team is preparing for a new client kickoff. They use Foreplay to create a board of the client's top three competitors. They save 10-15 of each competitor's best ads, add notes, and share the board with the client to align on creative direction.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Excellent for team collaboration | Not an all-in-one data crawler like AdSpy |
Streamlines research-to-production workflow | Higher-tier plans are team-oriented |
Clean, modern user interface | Complements, rather than replaces, broad spy tools |
Website: https://www.foreplay.co/
12. G2 – Digital Advertising Intelligence
Best for: Comparing tools and reading user reviews before you buy.
While not a direct spy tool itself, G2's Digital Advertising Intelligence category is a crucial resource for evaluating and selecting the right platform. It acts as a meta-resource, aggregating peer reviews, feature comparisons, and rankings of various Facebook ads spy tools. This makes it an essential first stop for teams trying to find a solution that fits their specific budget and needs.
G2 excels at saving time by providing a neutral, third-party overview of the landscape. Instead of relying solely on marketing copy, you get candid feedback from real users, which is invaluable for gauging a tool's performance and customer support.
Key Features & Use Cases
Peer Reviews & Ratings: Access hundreds of user reviews to understand the real-world performance of different platforms.
Feature Comparison Matrix: Use G2’s grid to compare key features of multiple tools side-by-side.
A Clear Example: A marketing manager has a $200/month budget for an ad spy tool. She goes to G2, filters the Ad Intelligence category by price and user satisfaction score, and reads reviews for the top three results to make an informed final decision. For a deeper dive into this area, explore more about SaaS business intelligence tools.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Neutral market overview for tool evaluation | Not a spy tool, but a directory of them |
Saves significant research and procurement time | Some listed tools are broader than just Facebook |
Helps gauge vendor reputation and support quality | Reviews can sometimes lack specific technical detail |
Website: https://www.g2.com/categories/ad-intelligence
Top 12 Facebook Ads Spy Tools — Feature Comparison
Product | Core features | Standout / Unique features ✨ | Target audience 👥 | Pricing & Quality 💰/★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🏆 Proven SaaS | AI links Meta ads → companies; funnels, sustained ad‑spend tracking; estimated MRR; daily updates | ✨ AI revenue modeling + instant profit ratings; 14.5k+ SaaS tracker | 👥 Founders, indie hackers, growth teams validating SaaS ideas | 💰 Paid subscription (contact) • ★★★★☆ |
Meta Ads Library | Official searchable archive; view live creatives, search by advertiser/keyword/country | ✨ Free official data + ad disclosures | 👥 Researchers, compliance, creative scouts | 💰 Free • ★★★★☆ |
AdSpy | Massive historical creative index; multi-filter search; landing‑page reveals | ✨ Deep historical creatives & affiliate/offer lookups | 👥 Performance marketers & affiliates | 💰 Paid (single tier) • ★★★★☆ |
PowerAdSpy | Multi‑network coverage; keyword/domain/CTA filters; competitor tracking & alerts | ✨ Cross‑network + low‑cost trials for evaluation | 👥 SMBs, agencies testing channels | 💰 Tiered plans + trials • ★★★★☆ |
BigSpy | 1B+ creatives claim; cross‑channel comparisons; trend discovery | ✨ True free tier → simple Pro plan | 👥 Creative researchers & budget users | 💰 Free → Pro • ★★★☆☆ |
Minea | Meta/TikTok ad library + product/shop analytics; trending product signals | ✨ Combines creative + product/sales signals | 👥 DTC brands, dropshippers, product teams | 💰 Starter→Business • ★★★★☆ |
Dropispy | Facebook ad search with engagement filters; Shop Spy; Chrome extension | ✨ Very low entry price; shop competitor insights | 👥 Beginners & small ecommerce stores | 💰 Low-cost / credits • ★★★☆☆ |
SocialAdScout | Exact targeting details; URL/text/device filters; multi-country coverage | ✨ Granular targeting intel for media buyers | 👥 Media buyers, affiliates needing deep targets | 💰 Paid (signup) • ★★★★☆ |
SocialPeta | Global creative library; audience, cost & brand intelligence; app analysis | ✨ Enterprise modules + dedicated consulting | 👥 Mid-market & enterprise teams | 💰 Enterprise pricing • ★★★★★ |
AdFlex | Millions of fresh ads daily across 7+ networks; targeting details; API | ✨ API for programmatic workflows + free tier | 👥 Devs, automation teams, researchers | 💰 Free tier + paid (contact) • ★★★★☆ |
Foreplay | Save ads via extension; discovery feed; boards, briefs, reporting & workspaces | ✨ Workflow & collaboration for creative teams | 👥 Creative teams & agencies turning research into briefs | 💰 Paid tiers • ★★★★☆ |
G2 – Digital Advertising Intelligence | Peer reviews, feature matrices, product rankings & vendor filters | ✨ Neutral market view & buyer decision signals | 👥 Buyers, procurement, shortlisting teams | 💰 Free access • ★★★★☆ |
From Spying to Scaling: Putting Your Ad Intelligence to Work
We've explored a comprehensive list of 12 powerful Facebook ads spy tools, from the free Meta Ad Library to specialized platforms like AdSpy and SocialPeta. Each tool offers a unique way to view the competitive landscape, uncovering creative strategies, targeting angles, and offers that drive results.
But having a powerful tool is only the first step. The real value is unlocked when you translate data into strategic action. Your goal isn't to simply copy a competitor's winning ad. The most successful advertisers use this intelligence as a starting point for innovation, not a blueprint for imitation.
Key Takeaways and Your Next Moves
As you move forward, keep these core principles in mind to transform spying into scaling:
Focus on Patterns, Not Just Ads: Don't get fixated on a single viral ad. Instead, look for recurring patterns. What messaging themes do they consistently use? Are their visuals bright and animated, or professional and subdued? These patterns reveal their core strategy.
Deconstruct the Entire Funnel: An ad is just the beginning. Use these tools to click through to the landing pages. Analyze the entire user journey, from the ad's call to action to the final conversion point. The ad gets the click, but the funnel secures the customer.
Adapt, Don't Duplicate: The intelligence you gather is your inspiration. For example, if you see a competitor succeeding with video ads featuring user-generated content, don't copy their exact videos. Instead, brainstorm how your own customers could create authentic content for your brand.
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Stage
Your specific needs will dictate the best tool for the job.
For Early-Stage Validation: If you're a founder validating an idea, a tool like Proven SaaS is invaluable. It cuts through the noise to show you which software companies are actually growing with paid ads, providing market proof before you write a single line of code.
For Broad Market Research: Agencies and growth marketers will find massive value in comprehensive platforms like BigSpy or AdSpy, which boast enormous, multi-platform ad libraries.
For Budget-Conscious Beginners: If you're just starting, master the Meta Ad Library. It's a free, official resource that provides more than enough data to make informed decisions. Pair it with a creative-focused tool like Foreplay to save and organize your findings.
Ultimately, the best Facebook ads spy tools are the ones that integrate seamlessly into your workflow and provide actionable, not just interesting, data. Start by identifying your single biggest strategic question, select the tool best equipped to answer it, and commit to turning those insights into your next successful campaign. The path from spying to scaling is paved with intelligent action.
Tired of guessing which SaaS ideas have real market demand? Proven SaaS goes beyond generic ad spying by curating a database of B2B SaaS companies that are actively and successfully using Facebook ads to scale. Get validated product ideas and competitive insights with Proven SaaS today.