AdChat vs Meta's Official Ads MCP: Which Should You Use?
AdChat vs Meta's official Ads MCP server, side by side: availability, supported AI apps, safety controls, features and price. When each one fits, and using both.
Updated October 24, 2026
In April 2026 Meta launched its own Ads MCP server, so you can now connect Claude or ChatGPT to your ad account straight from Meta, for free. That's good news for advertisers. It also raises a fair question: why would you use AdChat? This page compares the two honestly. For some people Meta's server is the better choice, for others AdChat is, and plenty of people will happily use both.
The quick answer
- Use Meta's Ads MCP if it's enabled on your ad account and you work in ChatGPT, Claude, Claude Code or Perplexity. It's free, first-party, and includes catalog and signal tools.
- Use AdChat if your account isn't enabled yet, you use another AI app such as Cursor or Codex, you don't use an AI app at all, or you'd like read-only defaults and plain-English help aimed at beginners.
Side by side
| AdChat | Meta's official Ads MCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | AdChat, an approved Meta app with Standard Access to the Marketing API | Meta |
| Server address | mcp.adchat.app | mcp.facebook.com/ads |
| Available on any ad account today | ✓ (any account you can manage in Ads Manager) | – (rolling out gradually per account) |
| Claude and ChatGPT | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perplexity | Not documented | ✓ |
| Claude Code | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cursor, Codex, other MCP apps | ✓ (by URL or config file) | – (needs your own Meta developer app) |
| Built-in chat, no AI app needed | ✓ | – |
| Reporting and insights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Create and edit campaigns, ad sets, ads | ✓ (after you turn on write access) | ✓ |
| Custom and lookalike audiences | ✓ | Not documented |
| Catalog management, signal diagnostics | – | ✓ |
| Read-only by default | ✓ | Not documented |
| Admin rules per ad account | – (one write-access switch) | ✓ (in Meta Business Suite) |
| New campaigns created paused | ✓ | ✓ |
| When you need to log in again | When your Facebook connection expires; the dashboard shows a "valid until" date and a Reconnect button | About every 60 days |
| Price | 7 days free, then $19/mo or $190/yr | Free (open beta) |
| Support | Email the founder at [email protected] | Meta's help center |
Where Meta's server is stronger
It's free and it's Meta's own. No extra subscription and no third party between you and your account.
More governance for businesses. If you have full control of a business portfolio, you can set rules in Meta Business Suite (Settings, then Integrations, then Ads MCP server) to allow or block actions per ad account, such as creating campaigns or setting budgets above a limit you choose. AdChat has a single read-only or write switch.
Catalog and signal features. Meta says its connectors can manage product catalogs and show signal health information. AdChat doesn't cover those.
Where AdChat is stronger
It works now, on any account. Meta's server is being switched on account by account with no published dates. If you see "Ads MCP is gradually being rolled out", you're waiting. AdChat uses Meta's standard Marketing API, so any account you can manage in Ads Manager works on day one.
More apps, less setup. Meta's help center lists ChatGPT, Claude, Claude Code and Perplexity. Other apps usually fail to register unless you create your own Meta developer app. AdChat works in Cursor, Codex and other MCP apps with one URL, plus Claude, ChatGPT and Claude Code.
A chat of its own. No Claude or ChatGPT account? AdChat's built-in chat works as soon as you connect Facebook.
Safe defaults for beginners. AdChat is read-only until you turn on write access. New campaigns, ad sets and ads start paused, it only acts when you ask, and its own chat lists the exact change and asks before writing.
A person you can email. AdChat is built and run by Eric, the founder. Questions go straight to him.
Where they're about the same
Both let you ask about results in plain English, create and edit campaigns, ad sets and ads, and both create new ads paused so nothing goes live by accident.
Can I use both?
Yes. They don't conflict. Add both as connectors in Claude or ChatGPT and choose per task, or use Meta's server on accounts where it's enabled and AdChat elsewhere. If both are connected, say which one you want in your prompt:
Use AdChat to compare last week's results across my three ad accounts.
FAQ
Is Meta's Ads MCP free?
Yes, it's free during its open beta. AdChat costs $19 a month after a 7-day free trial.
Why can't I use Meta's Ads MCP on my account?
Meta is enabling it gradually, one ad account at a time. Until yours is enabled you'll see a "gradually being rolled out" message. See Meta Ads MCP not working? for this and other errors.
Does AdChat use Meta's Ads MCP behind the scenes?
No. AdChat talks to Meta's standard Marketing API as an approved Meta app. That's why it doesn't depend on Meta's MCP rollout.
Which one is safer?
Both create ads paused. Meta's server lets business admins block specific actions per account. AdChat starts read-only and makes you switch on write access yourself. Pick whichever controls match how you work.
Can I switch from AdChat to Meta's server later?
Of course. Nothing is locked in. You can disconnect AdChat from your dashboard at any time.
Sources
- Meta, "Introducing Meta Ads AI Connectors" (April 29, 2026, updated July 16, 2026): https://www.facebook.com/business/news/meta-ads-ai-connectors
- Meta Business Help Center, "Manage ads from an AI agent with Meta ads AI connectors": https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1456422242197840
- Meta for Developers, "Ads MCP server: Get started": https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/ads-commerce/ads-ai-connectors/ads-mcp-server/ads-mcp-server-get-started
Try AdChat free for 7 days. Sign up, no card needed. Questions? Email [email protected].
Try it on your own ad account
Connect your Meta ads to Claude, ChatGPT or our built-in chat in about a minute.
Questions? Email me at [email protected]