# Smartly vs The Brief Comparison | | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 468 | 37 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (51.4% of reviews) | Small-Business (62.2% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | % Fee of Media Spend | Starting at $36.00 | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Smartly **Not enough data** ### The Brief Pros: - Audience Engagement (1 reviews) - Branding Consistency (1 reviews) Cons: - Insufficient Information (1 reviews) - Integration Issues (1 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.5 (385 reviews) | 8.8 (27 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.3 (387 reviews) | 9.2 (28 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.3 (178 reviews) | 9.2 (15 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.3 (178 reviews) | 9.3 (10 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 9.3 (380 reviews) | 8.9 (19 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.9 (176 reviews) | 10.0 (10 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.6 (381 reviews) | 9.1 (25 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Smartly #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Self-Serve + Support Price: % Fee of Media Spend Description: The fee percentage calculation shall be based on the Customer’s Advertising Spend in Customer’s Ad Account(s) connected to the Smartly.io platform as converted daily to EUR by Smartly.io. Key Features: - Full access to the platform. - Your CSM serves as your strategic advisor, your very own secret weapon in all things social. - We train your performance & creative teams to use Smartly.io effectively. [Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/smartly/pricing) #### Free Trial No ### The Brief #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Pro Price: Starting at $36.00 Description: Ideal for individuals who want to get started in creating static and animated designs with the power of Generative AI. Key Features: - 1 Editor - Up to 5 Brand Kits - 250 Export credits / month [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/the-brief/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Display Ad Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Smartly** | N/A | N/A | | **The Brief** | 8.7/10 | 24 | #### Template Creation | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Image Upload** | Not enough data | 9.3 (20 reviews) | | **Stock Image Library** | Not enough data | 8.3 (18 reviews) | | **Drag & Drop Editing** | Not enough data | 8.8 (20 reviews) | | **Variety Of Banner Types** | Not enough data | 9.1 (18 reviews) | #### Design & Editing | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Shape & Clip Art** | Not enough data | 8.4 (18 reviews) | | **Font Selection** | Not enough data | 8.1 (20 reviews) | | **Scale** | Not enough data | 8.4 (19 reviews) | #### Ad Management | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Ad Sets** | Not enough data | 9.0 (18 reviews) | | **Export As Different File Types** | Not enough data | 8.7 (20 reviews) | | **Schedule** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | #### Analytics | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Reporting** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Heatmap** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Budget** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | ### Creative Management Platforms | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Smartly** | 8.5/10 | 69 | | **The Brief** | N/A | N/A | #### Authoring Tools | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Ad Templates** | 8.5 (57 reviews) | Not enough data | | **HTML5 Authoring** | 7.8 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Automated Ad Creation** | 8.5 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Lanugage Translation** | 8.2 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Creative Management Platforms | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Testing Tools | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Dynamic Versioning** | 8.7 (45 reviews) | Not enough data | | **A/B Testing ** | 8.8 (54 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Publishing Tools | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Campaign Scheduling** | 8.9 (56 reviews) | Feature Not Available | ### Video Advertising | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Smartly** | 8.6/10 | 360 | | **The Brief** | N/A | N/A | #### Platform Interoperability | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Close Ecosystem API** | 8.8 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Video Functionality | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Video Functionality** | 8.4 (68 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Video Advertising | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Campaign Management | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Campaign Dashboard** | 8.2 (320 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Campaign Optimization** | 8.5 (317 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Reach** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | | **Bulk Editing** | 7.8 (284 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Batch Uploading** | 7.7 (238 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Brand Safety** | 8.2 (204 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Fraud Protection** | 8.0 (161 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Frequency Capping** | 8.1 (211 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Budget Pacing** | 8.2 (273 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Creative Optimization** | 8.5 (296 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rich Media Capabilties** | 8.3 (193 reviews) | Not enough data | | **In-App Ads** | 7.9 (141 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Mobile Rich Media Capabilities** | 8.2 (151 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Targeting | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Targeting** | 8.8 (312 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Retargeting** | 8.9 (293 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Geo-Targeting** | 8.9 (288 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Contextual Targeting** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | #### Platform | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **API / Integrations** | 8.3 (221 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Custom Reports** | 8.4 (273 reviews) | Not enough data | | **User, Role, and Access Management** | 8.3 (291 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Performance and Reliability** | 8.3 (311 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Enterprise Scalability** | 8.5 (261 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Customization** | 8.3 (279 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Workflow Capability** | 8.4 (258 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Internationalization** | 8.6 (223 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Notifications** | 8.2 (274 reviews) | Not enough data | ### Social Media Advertising | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Smartly** | 8.3/10 | 367 | | **The Brief** | N/A | N/A | #### Platform Interoperability | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Close Ecosystem API** | 8.2 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Social Media Advertising | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Social Functionality | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Social Functionality** | 8.7 (286 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Campaign Management | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Campaign Dashboard** | 8.2 (320 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Campaign Optimization** | 8.5 (317 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Reach** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | | **Bulk Editing** | 7.8 (284 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Batch Uploading** | 7.7 (238 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Brand Safety** | 8.2 (204 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Fraud Protection** | 8.0 (161 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Frequency Capping** | 8.1 (211 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Budget Pacing** | 8.2 (273 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Creative Optimization** | 8.5 (296 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rich Media Capabilties** | 8.3 (193 reviews) | Not enough data | | **In-App Ads** | 7.9 (141 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Mobile Rich Media Capabilities** | 8.2 (151 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Targeting | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Targeting** | 8.8 (312 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Retargeting** | 8.9 (293 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Geo-Targeting** | 8.9 (288 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Contextual Targeting** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | #### Platform | Feature | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **API / Integrations** | 8.3 (221 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Custom Reports** | 8.4 (273 reviews) | Not enough data | | **User, Role, and Access Management** | 8.3 (291 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Performance and Reliability** | 8.3 (311 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Enterprise Scalability** | 8.5 (261 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Customization** | 8.3 (279 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Workflow Capability** | 8.4 (258 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Internationalization** | 8.6 (223 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Notifications** | 8.2 (274 reviews) | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [Creative Management Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/creative-management-platforms) **Unique to Smartly (2):** [Video Advertising Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-advertising), [Social Media Advertising Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/social-media-advertising) **Unique to The Brief (1):** [Display Ad Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/display-ad-design) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Smartly | The Brief | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 19.0% | 62.2% | | **Mid-Market** | 51.4% | 32.4% | | **Enterprise** | 29.6% | 5.4% | ### By Industry #### Smartly - **Marketing and Advertising:** 18.1% - **Retail:** 13.1% - **Leisure, Travel & Tourism:** 8.2% - **Apparel & Fashion:** 7.3% - **Food & Beverages:** 5.6% - **Internet:** 4.5% - **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.5% - **Automotive:** 2.8% - **Consumer Goods:** 2.6% - **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3% - **Other:** 31.9% #### The Brief - **Marketing and Advertising:** 24.3% - **Computer Software:** 18.9% - **Higher Education:** 8.1% - **Media Production:** 5.4% - **Information Technology and Services:** 5.4% - **Graphic Design:** 5.4% - **Education Management:** 5.4% - **Automotive:** 5.4% - **Oil & Energy:** 2.7% - **Logistics and Supply Chain:** 2.7% - **Other:** 16.2% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Smartly - [Prisma](https://www.g2.com/products/prisma-mediaocean/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (437 reviews) - [Celtra](https://www.g2.com/products/celtra/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (400 reviews) - [AdCreative.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/adcreative-ai/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (796 reviews) - [AdRoll](https://www.g2.com/products/adroll/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (775 reviews) - [Facebook for Business](https://www.g2.com/products/facebook-for-business/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1453 reviews) - [Skai](https://www.g2.com/products/skai/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (297 reviews) - [Madgicx](https://www.g2.com/products/madgicx/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (211 reviews) - [Innovid](https://www.g2.com/products/mediaocean-innovid/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (375 reviews) - [Marin Software](https://www.g2.com/products/marin-software/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (453 reviews) - [Bannerflow](https://www.g2.com/products/bannerflow/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (159 reviews) ### Alternatives to The Brief - [Bannerwise](https://www.g2.com/products/bannerwise/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (61 reviews) - [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7439 reviews) - [Flexitive](https://www.g2.com/products/flexitive/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (19 reviews) - [VistaCreate](https://www.g2.com/products/vistacreate/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (171 reviews) - [Celtra](https://www.g2.com/products/celtra/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (400 reviews) - [Bannerflow](https://www.g2.com/products/bannerflow/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (159 reviews) - [BannerBoo](https://www.g2.com/products/bannerboo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (185 reviews) - [AdCreative.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/adcreative-ai/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (796 reviews) - [Fotor Photo Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/fotor-photo-editor/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (340 reviews) - [Simplified](https://www.g2.com/products/simplified/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (5008 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Smartly - Title: [What is the best way to optimize the traffic campaigns based on CPC on Facebook using Smartly.io features.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/51730-what-is-the-best-way-to-optimize-the-traffic-campaigns-based-on-cpc-on-facebook-using-smartly-io-features) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Here are some great ways to optimize Facebook traffic campaigns in Smartly.io: 1. Predictive Budget Allocation with Budget Pools allows for you to have a..." - Title: [what is the best use-case of smartly you have seen in the industry?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/27547-what-is-the-best-use-case-of-smartly-you-have-seen-in-the-industry) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "There are so many great use cases of our platform that it is hard to pick just one as the best! But being able to customize, personalize, and localize..." - Title: [When will better support for Instagram existing posts be implemented?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/24539-when-will-better-support-for-instagram-existing-posts-be-implemented) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Hi Mark, unfortunately, no solution available yet as Facebook doesn't let us promote an existing Instagram post. We've been exploring some options like..." - Title: [When would I need to use Smartly.io?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/when-would-i-need-to-use-smartly-io) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Smartly.io is your full Facebook & Instagram advertising suite, replacing the need to use Facebook Ads Manager. You can run all of your paid social..." - Title: [Can you help us measure incremental revenue?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-you-help-us-measure-incremental-revenue) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Yes, we can. Smartly.io’s extensive testing suite provides tools for running Facebook Lift Tests to measure incremental revenue and we also help you with..." ### The Brief - Title: [Is there any likelyhood that you will be introducing the ability to incorporate live feeds into ads?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/40485-is-there-any-likelyhood-that-you-will-be-introducing-the-ability-to-incorporate-live-feeds-into-ads) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Hello Dan, To answer your inquiry, I would require a bit more details. If you are referring to having live metrics on your ad to be able to track stats..." - Title: [When integrating with google drive?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/25052-when-integrating-with-google-drive) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Hi Victor, As of this very moment we do not have this feature on our development list but since Bannersnack is a customer oriented product having a strong..." - Title: [Where can I use the banners created in Bannersnack?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/using-the-banners) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Our first aim is to help users create all the visuals for their marketing campaigns in once place. You can use your banners on all major advertising..." - Title: [In what format can I download my banners?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/export-b2526a41-a8d4-4d25-9792-e82bcb7b383f) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "As a free user you can download your banner in JPG, PNG or GIF format, and a watermark will be applied. When purchasing a premium plan, however, you..." - Title: [How do I use the Banner Generator?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/features-79a36b59-6109-44fa-989a-6eebfc9be440) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "If you're interested in generating multiple-size static/animated banners at once with the same content, that's possible using the Banner Generator we..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/smartly-vs-the-brief)