Pencil

Pencil is a generative AI ad platform that helps marketers create, test and launch paid social and display creatives from one workspace. Rather than relying on a single image model, it routes work to models from OpenAI, Google, Adobe, Runway and Stability AI, so teams can use whichever model suits the asset. It then predicts how each creative will perform and pushes the winners to ad platforms.

What is Pencil used for?

Pencil is used to produce large numbers of ad variations quickly and decide which ones to run. A brief, your brand kit and product images go in, and finished ads in the right formats come out.

• Generating ad copy, static images, videos and complete ad creatives with AI agents
• Switching between AI models for different asset types without separate subscriptions
• Scoring creatives with realtime AI insights before spending budget
• Launching and tracking ads on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Google Display, DV360 and LinkedIn
• Producing localized or audience-specific variants in bulk from product feeds on the Pro tier
• Enforcing brand standards and approvals across large marketing teams

Who Pencil is best for

Pencil fits ecommerce brands, DTC startups and performance agencies that need a steady flow of fresh creative for paid social. The low entry plan works for solo founders testing ads, while the enterprise tier targets global brands that want governance, legal terms and committed AI spend in one contract. Teams that mostly run search ads, or that already have a large in-house design team and only need editing tools, will get less value.

Pencil pricing

As of October 2026, Pencil lets new accounts create six ads free through a guided trial, and its pricing page lists three paid tiers. Core costs $14 per month on monthly billing, or $11 per month billed annually, with 50 generations per month, self-serve AI agents, creative scores, ad launch and tracking, and one workspace. Growth costs $55 per month monthly, or $44 per month annually, with 250 generations, lower per-generation cost and unlimited workspaces. Pro is custom priced with unlimited generations under committed consumption pricing, bulk feed generation, unlimited users, brands and markets, enterprise terms covering IP assignment, no-train data and indemnification, training and dedicated success support. Annual billing saves 20%.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Fifty generations a month on Core is enough for testing, not for scaled production
• Performance predictions are estimates and should be checked against live ad results
• Enterprise governance, bulk generation and legal protections require the Pro tier
• Generated video and imagery still need human review for brand and product accuracy

Pencil vs alternatives

AdCreative.ai is the better-known self-serve option for static banner and social ad generation, and it suits small businesses that want templates more than model choice. Omneky also combines generation with performance analytics and is worth comparing for mid-size brands. Creatify is stronger if your focus is AI video ads and UGC-style product videos. Smartly is a full enterprise ad automation suite and wins when media buying workflows matter as much as creative. Pencil stands out when you want several leading models in one place plus enterprise-grade terms for generative content.

Tips for getting started with Pencil

Upload a complete brand kit, including logos, fonts and approved product shots, before generating anything, since output quality depends on it. Start with one product and one channel, generate a batch of variants, and compare Pencil's scores with real results after a week of spend. Save the briefs that produce winners and reuse them as templates. If video is part of your plan, track how quickly it uses generations before choosing a tier.

Pencil FAQ

Is Pencil free?

No, Pencil is a paid platform, though new accounts can create six ads free before subscribing. Plans start at $11 per month billed annually or $14 monthly.

What is Pencil used for?

Pencil is used to generate ad copy, images and videos with AI, predict which creatives will perform best, and launch ads on major social and display platforms.

Which ad platforms does Pencil support?

Pencil can launch and track ads on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Google Display, DV360 and LinkedIn.

Pencil vs AdCreative.ai: which is better?

AdCreative.ai suits small businesses that want quick template-driven ads, while Pencil suits teams that want access to multiple AI models and enterprise governance.