Self-Serve
$5
/month
- + Full Ads Manager access
- + All ad formats (Snap, Story, Collection, Dynamic)
- + Audience targeting and custom audiences
- + Snap Pixel and Conversions API
- + Real-time reporting
Snapchat Ads
Self-serve advertising platform reaching 800M+ monthly users with immersive AR and video ad formats.
social-mediaEditor's Pick
Our Score
3.9
Starting at $5 /month
Free Plan Available
Create Your First Snapchat Ad ->
Affiliate link
3.9
Good OptionSnapchat Ads Score
Ease of Use
3.7
Features
3.8
Value
4.0
Support
3.6
Based on our editorial review across usability, features, value, support, and integrations.
Best For
D2C brands targeting Gen Z and millennial consumersE-commerce companies wanting to diversify beyond Meta and Google ad spendBrands in fashion, beauty, entertainment, and food that resonate with younger audiencesCompanies wanting to experiment with AR advertising and interactive brand experiencesPerformance marketers looking for lower-CPM channels to supplement existing campaigns
Best For
D2C brands targeting Gen Z and millennial consumers
Free Trial
Yes
Standout Feature
Self-serve Ads Manager with campaigns starting from $5/day minimum spend
Track Record
Since 2011
What Problem It Solves
Digital advertisers face increasing CPM inflation and audience saturation on Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google. As more brands compete for the same audiences on these dominant platforms, costs rise and returns diminish. Snapchat Ads provides an alternative channel that reaches audiences, particularly Gen Z, in a less saturated environment with lower average CPMs. For e-commerce brands, this means the ability to profitably acquire customers who are expensive or unreachable on Meta. The AR advertising capability solves a different problem entirely: it lets brands create interactive experiences where users physically engage with products through their camera, such as virtually trying on sunglasses or seeing how furniture looks in their room. This level of engagement is impossible with traditional banner or video ads and drives significantly higher brand recall and purchase intent.
Key Features
- Self-serve Ads Manager with campaigns starting from $5/day minimum spend
- AR Lens ads with interactive augmented reality brand experiences
- Full-screen vertical Snap Ads, Story Ads, and Collection Ads
- Dynamic Ads for automated personalized e-commerce product advertising
- Snap Pixel and Conversions API for attribution and conversion tracking
- Audience targeting by demographics, interests, behaviors, and custom audiences
- Spotlight and Creator content placement for reaching engaged viewers
Pros
- + Unmatched reach among Gen Z and millennial demographics (75% of 13-34 year olds)
- + Lower CPMs than Meta and Google for many audience segments
- + Unique AR Lens ads create interactive brand experiences unavailable elsewhere
- + Low minimum spend ($5/day) makes it accessible for small business testing
- + Full-screen vertical format captures complete user attention
Cons
- - Audience skews heavily young -- limited reach for users over 35-40
- - Advertising ecosystem is less mature than Meta or Google with fewer targeting options
- - Requires native vertical video creative, adding production costs
- - Attribution and reporting are less sophisticated than Meta Ads Manager
Pricing
Managed Service
Custom
Contact sales
- + Dedicated Snap account team
- + Custom AR Lens development
- + Premium ad placements
- + Advanced measurement partners
- + First-party data integrations
Starting at $5 /month
Free Plan Available
Create Your First Snapchat Ad ->
Affiliate link
Our Verdict
Snapchat Ads — Worth Considering
Snapchat Ads occupies a unique position in digital advertising. It is one of the few platforms where you can reach Gen Z audiences at scale in an environment that is not dominated by Meta (Facebook/Instagram) or Google. For brands targeting 13-34 year olds, Snapchat's reach in this demographic is comparable to Instagram and often delivers lower CPMs (cost per thousand impressions), making it a cost-effective complement to Meta and Google campaigns.
The ad formats are genuinely differentiated. AR Lenses let users interact with your brand in augmented reality, creating memorable experiences that drive organic sharing. Full-screen vertical video ads capture complete attention in a way that feed-based ads on Instagram or Facebook cannot. For e-commerce, Dynamic Ads automatically generate personalized product ads from your catalog, similar to Meta's Dynamic Product Ads but reaching a different audience segment. The Snap Pixel and Conversions API provide solid attribution tracking.
The limitations are significant for many advertisers. Snapchat's audience skews young, which means B2B advertisers and brands targeting users over 40 will find limited reach. The platform's advertising ecosystem is less mature than Meta's or Google's, with fewer targeting options, less sophisticated optimization algorithms, and a smaller pool of case studies and best practices. Creative requirements are also different -- horizontal video and static images that work on Facebook will not perform on Snapchat. You need native vertical video content, which means additional creative production costs. Snapchat Ads works best as a supplemental channel for brands already running Meta and Google campaigns who want to reach younger audiences or test AR-based advertising.
Related Tools
How much do Snapchat Ads cost?
Snapchat Ads operate on an auction-based pricing model with a minimum daily budget of $5. Average CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) typically range from $2-$8, which is often lower than Meta or Google for comparable audiences. CPC (cost per click) averages $0.50-$2.00 depending on targeting and creative quality. AR Lens ads are more expensive due to their interactive nature, with costs varying by reach and duration. There are no platform fees or subscription costs -- you only pay for ad delivery. The self-serve Ads Manager is free to use, and you can set daily or lifetime budgets to control spending.
What audience can I reach on Snapchat?
Snapchat reaches over 800 million monthly active users globally. The platform's core strength is the 13-34 age demographic, where it reaches over 75% of this group in 25+ countries. In the US alone, Snapchat reaches over 100 million daily active users. The platform is particularly strong for reaching Gen Z users who are increasingly difficult to engage on Facebook. Targeting options include demographics, interests, behaviors, lookalike audiences, custom audiences from your customer data, Snap Audience Match, and retargeting based on Pixel or app activity.
Do I need special creative for Snapchat Ads?
Yes. Snapchat requires full-screen vertical video (9:16 aspect ratio) for most ad formats. Horizontal or square creative from Facebook/Instagram campaigns will not perform well and may not be accepted. Snap Ads should be 3-10 seconds long with immediate visual impact and sound-on design. AR Lens ads require specialized 3D or AR creative, which Snapchat's Lens Web Builder can help create for simpler experiences, or you can work with Snap's creative partners for complex AR campaigns. The creative investment is the main barrier for brands used to repurposing horizontal video across platforms.
Starting at $5 /month
Free Plan Available
Create Your First Snapchat Ad ->
Affiliate link
Create Your First Snapchat Ad ->
Affiliate link