AdCreate vs Pencil (TryPencil): AI Ad Generator Comparison (2026)
AdCreate vs Pencil (TryPencil): AI Ad Generator Comparison (2026)
Looking for a Pencil alternative — or wondering how AdCreate stacks up? This comparison guide breaks down AdCreate and Pencil (TryPencil) to help you find the best AI ad generator for your marketing campaigns.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | AdCreate | Pencil (TryPencil) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $23/mo (annual) | From $11/mo (annual) |
| AI Video Models | Veo 3.1, Sora 2 | AI agents + Stable Diffusion, Runway, GPT-4 (Pro) |
| Focus | Video-first generation | Data-driven creative optimization |
| AI Tools Included | 13+ tools | Ad generation, performance prediction, AI insights |
| Creative Approach | Generative AI (text-to-video) | AI agents for text, image, video + performance scoring |
| Best For | Original video content | Performance-optimized creative at scale |
What is AdCreate?
AdCreate is a next-generation AI platform purpose-built for video marketing. Powered by Google Veo 3.1 and OpenAI Sora 2, AdCreate generates authentic video content that looks professionally produced.
The platform bundles 13+ AI tools — video generation, image creation, captions, ad discovery, trend analysis, and more — starting at $23/mo (billed annually).
What is Pencil (TryPencil)?
Pencil is an AI ad generation platform backed by The Brandtech Group (acquired June 2023) that combines AI-powered creative generation with data-driven performance prediction. The platform uses AI agents for text, images, video, and ad creative generation, and analyzes past ad performance to predict which creative variations will perform best.
Pencil supports ad launch and tracking across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Google Display, DV360, and LinkedIn. The Pro tier integrates third-party AI models including Stable Diffusion, Runway, and GPT-4. Pencil also partnered with BCG in May 2025 to deliver enterprise-grade AI marketing solutions, and counts brands like Unilever and Bayer among its enterprise clients.
Key Differences
1. Creative Philosophy
AdCreate is built around generative creativity. You feed it a text prompt and it produces genuinely original video content — no templates, no recycled assets. Because the AI creates from scratch rather than remixing existing work, the creative possibilities are essentially unlimited and never constrained by historical patterns.
Pencil takes a data-driven approach to creative generation. Its AI agents produce text, images, video, and full ad creatives, but the process is guided by historical performance data at every step. The platform predicts how new creative will perform before you launch it and continuously optimizes based on real-time performance scoring. It is less about inventing something new and more about systematically finding what works.
2. Video Technology
AdCreate brings cutting-edge text-to-video AI to the table, pairing Google Veo 3.1 for cinematic quality with OpenAI Sora 2 for creative generation. The result is true video generation from prompts — photorealistic, original content that does not rely on stock footage or pre-built templates.
Pencil handles video through AI-powered generation agents rather than a single frontier model. On the Pro tier, those agents can tap into Stable Diffusion, Runway, and GPT-4 for higher-fidelity output. The focus is less on pushing the boundaries of generative video and more on producing performance-optimized creative variations that are ad-ready across multiple platforms.
3. Platform Value
AdCreate offers a comprehensive marketing toolkit starting at $23/mo (billed annually). Alongside video and image generation, you get competitive intelligence, trend analysis, script writing, and more — 13+ AI tools total, all under one roof. It is designed so that a single subscription covers multiple parts of your creative workflow.
Pencil provides more focused capabilities centered on creative generation and analytics, starting at $11/mo (billed annually). The platform's AI-powered ad generation engine is paired with performance prediction, real-time AI insights, and ad launch and tracking across 7+ platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Google Display, DV360, and LinkedIn. The value proposition leans toward optimizing creative output rather than breadth of tooling.
4. Target Audience
AdCreate: Marketers, creators, and brands wanting original video content powered by cutting-edge AI models.
Pencil: Brands and agencies of all sizes seeking data-driven creative optimization with performance prediction — from small teams on the Core plan to enterprise organizations.
Pricing Comparison
AdCreate Pricing
AdCreate offers a free tier with 50 credits so you can test the platform before committing. The Starter plan runs $39/month ($23/mo when billed annually) and includes 500 credits, while the Scale 1x plan at $99/month ($59/mo billed annually) provides 2,500 credits for heavier production needs. Every paid plan includes full platform access to all AI tools, plus video generation powered by Veo 3.1 and Sora 2.
Pencil Pricing
Pencil's Core plan starts at $14/month ($11/mo billed annually) and includes 50 generations per month — a low-commitment way to experiment with AI-generated ad creative. The Growth plan at $55/month ($44/mo billed annually) bumps that to 250 generations for teams scaling their output. The Pro tier carries custom pricing and unlocks unlimited generations alongside integrations with Stable Diffusion, Runway, and GPT-4.
Value Analysis: Pencil's Core plan at $11/mo (billed annually) is the more affordable entry point. AdCreate's Starter plan at $23/mo (billed annually) costs more but includes access to cutting-edge video AI models (Veo 3.1, Sora 2) and 13+ integrated tools — a different value proposition focused on original video generation rather than performance-optimized creative iteration.
Who Should Use AdCreate?
AdCreate is a strong fit if original, AI-generated video content is at the heart of what you do. If you want access to the latest generative AI models like Veo 3.1 and Sora 2, and you value creative freedom over data-driven iteration, this is the platform that delivers. It works especially well for small to mid-size marketing teams running video-first social campaigns who need multiple AI tools — from generation to scripting to competitive research — integrated into one place.
Who Should Use Pencil?
Pencil is a strong fit if your priority is optimizing ad creative with performance data rather than generating original video from scratch. The platform shines for teams that need to launch and track ads across multiple channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more) and want performance prediction before committing ad spend. It is also a compelling option if you are looking for an affordable entry point into AI ad creation, or if you need enterprise-grade capabilities on the Pro tier with access to Stable Diffusion, Runway, and GPT-4.
Feature Deep Dive
Video Generation Capabilities
AdCreate excels at creating original video from scratch. You can generate full scenes from text prompts, turn product images into polished videos, and produce UGC-style authentic content — all at dynamic, cinematic quality with no template limitations. The underlying Veo 3.1 and Sora 2 models mean you are working with the same frontier technology that powers the most advanced generative video available today.
Pencil takes a different approach, using AI agents to generate performance-optimized creative rather than pushing the boundaries of raw video generation. The agents handle video, image, and text creation with an eye toward ad platform specifications and conversion performance. On the Pro tier, the addition of Stable Diffusion and Runway brings higher-fidelity generation into the mix.
Marketing Intelligence
AdCreate packages several intelligence tools alongside its generation capabilities: Ad Discovery for competitor research, Trend Scout for identifying viral content, Hook Generator for crafting attention-grabbing openers, Script Writer for AI-powered copywriting, and broader competitive analysis tools. The goal is to inform your creative process before you ever hit "generate."
Pencil's intelligence layer is oriented around performance rather than discovery. Real-time AI insights, performance prediction and scoring, historical creative analysis, and testing recommendations all feed into a workflow designed to surface the highest-performing creative. Combined with ad launch and tracking across 7+ platforms, it creates a closed loop from creation to optimization.
Ease of Use
AdCreate: Simple prompt-to-video workflow. Enter a description, upload a product, and AI generates original content. Intuitive for creators of all skill levels.
Pencil: Streamlined ad creation workflow with AI agents handling generation. Performance prediction features add depth for teams focused on optimization.
Pros and Cons
AdCreate
AdCreate's greatest strength is its access to best-in-class generative AI models. Veo 3.1 and Sora 2 deliver true text-to-video generation that produces original, unique content without template constraints. With 13+ integrated marketing tools and a free tier (50 credits) to get started, the platform offers a comprehensive creative suite in a single subscription.
On the other hand, AdCreate does not include performance prediction features or deep historical data analysis — if those are table stakes for your team, you will need to pair it with another tool. It is also a newer platform with a higher entry price than Pencil's Core plan.
Pencil
Pencil brings a compelling combination of affordability and analytical depth. The $14/mo entry point ($11/mo annually) is accessible, and the platform's performance prediction, AI agents for text/image/video generation, and multi-platform ad tracking across 7+ channels make it a serious workhorse for data-driven teams. The Pro tier's integrations with Stable Diffusion, Runway, and GPT-4, along with enterprise credentials (Unilever, Bayer) and the BCG partnership, give it credibility at scale.
The trade-off is that Pencil's standalone video generation is not as advanced as dedicated text-to-video models, and the platform offers fewer integrated marketing tools beyond ad creation itself. Access to premium model integrations requires the Pro tier at custom pricing, and the platform is less focused on producing genuinely original, generative content.
The Creativity vs. Optimization Debate
Original content stands out in crowded feeds, and that is the case AdCreate makes for generative creativity. Cutting-edge AI models produce cinematic-quality video that feels fresh rather than formulaic, helping brands avoid ad fatigue and occasionally land the kind of creative breakthrough that data alone cannot predict.
Pencil makes an equally compelling case for data-driven optimization. Historical performance data and AI insights inform every creative decision, performance prediction reduces wasted ad spend, and real-time scoring helps teams prioritize the variations most likely to convert. Systematic testing frameworks let you scale what works instead of guessing.
Our Take: The most successful marketing strategies often combine both generative creativity and data-driven optimization. AdCreate brings unmatched video generation powered by the latest AI models, while Pencil brings a mature creative optimization engine with built-in performance intelligence. The best choice depends on whether your priority is original video content or performance-optimized ad iteration.
Use Case Comparison
For Growing Brands
AdCreate: Strong fit — professional-quality video generation and a comprehensive toolkit to compete with larger competitors.
Pencil: Also a strong fit — the Core plan at $14/mo (or $11/mo annually) is an accessible entry point with performance prediction included.
Verdict: Both are viable. Choose AdCreate for original video content; choose Pencil for data-driven ad optimization at a lower starting price.
For Agencies
AdCreate: Generate unique, original video content for each client. Diverse creative capabilities keep work fresh and differentiated.
Pencil: Performance prediction and ad tracking across multiple platforms help agencies optimize creative for client accounts at scale.
Verdict: Depends on agency focus — creative agencies lean toward AdCreate; performance-focused agencies may prefer Pencil.
For E-commerce
AdCreate: Product videos, UGC-style content, and brand storytelling at scale. Original content for every product powered by Veo 3.1 and Sora 2.
Pencil: AI-generated ad variations optimized for conversion based on performance data, with multi-platform launch and tracking.
Verdict: AdCreate for video-first product content; Pencil for performance-optimized ad creative across multiple channels.
Final Verdict: AdCreate vs Pencil
For original video content: AdCreate is the stronger choice. Access to Google Veo 3.1 and OpenAI Sora 2 provides cutting-edge text-to-video generation that produces cinematic-quality content from simple prompts.
For data-driven creative optimization: Pencil is the stronger choice. Performance prediction, real-time AI insights, and multi-platform ad tracking make it a mature, data-driven creative engine — with a lower entry price point.
Both platforms serve different primary needs. AdCreate excels for video-first campaigns that demand cutting-edge AI generation and original creative output. Pencil excels for data-driven creative optimization with performance prediction at a more affordable starting price, backed by an established platform with enterprise credentials.
Our Recommendation
Choose based on your priority. If your campaigns depend on original, high-quality video content and you want access to the latest generative AI models, AdCreate delivers exceptional value with its 13+ integrated tools and Veo 3.1 / Sora 2 technology. If your focus is on optimizing ad creative with performance prediction, launching across multiple platforms, and starting at the lowest possible price, Pencil's data-driven approach and $11/mo annual entry point are compelling.
Try AdCreate free today to experience next-generation AI video creation, or explore Pencil's Core plan to see how performance-driven creative optimization can improve your ad results.
Last updated: February 2026
Pricing verified as of February 2026. Visit each platform's website for the most current pricing.
Written by
AdCreate Team
Creating AI-powered tools for marketers and creators.
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