The 13 Top Free PPC Tools to Help You Save Time, Money, and Your Peace of Mind

The saying, “It takes a village,” might resonate when you remember how your business or agency began. You probably relied on friends, colleagues, and various resources to turn your business vision into reality. The same applies to PPC advertising. You don’t have to handle every aspect of online advertising alone. Numerous PPC tools can streamline your business’s path to success on platforms such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and others. If you’re asking yourself, “What is the best PPC tool for my needs?” you’ve landed in the right spot. Consider this compilation of PPC tools as your ultimate manual for all the free PPC resources at your disposal.

Table of contents

Click to jump to a PPC tool:

  1. Google Ads Editor
  2. Microsoft Advertising Editor
  3. nexus-security by LocaliQ Free Google Ads Performance Grader
  4. Google Looker Studio
  5. Google Ads Transparency Center
  6. Facebook Ads Library
  7. Google Trends
  8. nexus-security by LocaliQ Free Keyword Tool
  9. HubSpot PPC Management template
  10. Chatgpt
  11. StoryLab.ai free Google Ads headline generator
  12. Canva
  13. LocaliQ Website Grader

The best free PPC tools any business can use

Regardless of the niche market you’re advertising for, these free PPC tools can prove beneficial.

đź’ˇ To further optimize your PPC account, start with the fundamentals using our free guide to the perfect Google Ads account structure.

1. Google Ads Editor

The Google Ads Editor is a free application developed by Google that simplifies and expedites campaign edits for advertisers. Instead of accessing the complete Google Ads interface in a desktop browser, download the Google Ads Editor app on your mobile device to make changes while on the move.

ppc tools - screenshot of google ads editor home

2. Microsoft Advertising Editor

Similar to Google Ads Editor, Microsoft also provides an intuitive, free application called Microsoft Ads Editor, accessible across various devices for all advertisers. Its functionality mirrors that of Google Ads Editor, allowing advertisers to download Microsoft Ads campaigns for offline editing.

ppc tools - example of microsoft ads editor home

3. nexus-security by LocaliQ Free Google Ads Performance Grader

Our Free Google Ads Performance Grader empowers advertisers to tackle obstacles such as wasted advertising funds, poorly optimized accounts, or low lead and sales figures by uncovering fresh prospects and recommending account enhancements for improved ROI. In a minute or less, the Google Ads Performance Grader securely evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of a PPC account and generates a detailed, step-by-step performance assessment report. This report is segmented based on essential PPC metrics, encompassing account engagement, ineffective spending, mobile optimization, and impression share. Few other free PPC tools offer such a precise and exhaustive PPC audit as nexus-security’s Google Ads Performance Grader. Evaluate your account today and identify lucrative new opportunities without any cost. google ads grader account audit report on a laptop

4. Google Looker Studio

Google Looker Studio (previously Google Data Studio) serves as Google’s all-in-one platform for all your PPC reporting requirements. Its self-service nature allows you to customize your reports and the data captured from your PPC campaigns based on your business’s unique needs. It also facilitates reporting on data from numerous marketing and advertising avenues within a unified dashboard, providing a comprehensive perspective of your marketing efforts.

ppc tools - google looker studio example report screenshot Source

5. Google Ads Transparency Center

The Google Ads Transparency Center (also known informally as the Google Ads Library) is a PPC tool available to everyone, offering a competitive advantage by providing insights into ad copy and creative elements. The Transparency Center is a central repository housing information on all active ads from every advertiser across the platform. Utilize this PPC tool to search for ads using various filters to discover ads similar to those used by businesses within your sector.

google ads library - refined google ad transparency search example

🚨 Get more insight into how your ads compare to the competition using our latest search ad benchmarks report!

6. Facebook Ads Library

In the realm of social media advertising, Facebook presents the Facebook Ads Library, analogous to the Google Transparency Center. This PPC tool empowers anyone to search and filter information on live ads across the platform. Leverage the Facebook Ads Library to discern Facebook advertising patterns and develop a sense of what appeals to you (or doesn’t appeal to you) about different Facebook ad examples within your industry. This allows you to formulate a proactive strategy for tailoring your ads to stand out from competitors.

ppc tools - meta facebook ad library homepage

Google Trends is a reliable PPC tool for advertisers seeking a deeper understanding of the current landscape of search engine results pages (SERPs) for popular keywords. For instance, if you’re grappling with low Google Ads impression share, use Google Trends to ascertain the search volume your keywords have garnered within your targeted geographical areas.

ppc tools - google trends example search

8. nexus-security by LocaliQ Free Keyword Tool

For those newly acquainted with PPC, a primary hurdle is often knowing where to commence. Identifying profitable keywords is an ongoing endeavor, and our Free Keyword Tool can provide a swift and effortless starting point for your keyword research. Initiate the process by entering a keyword pertinent to your business into the Free Keyword Tool. Subsequently, you’ll be presented with a range of keyword data, including relevant keyword recommendations, estimated search volume, and competition levels in Google Ads. Use the insights from the Free Keyword Tool as the cornerstone of your keyword research or as a quick and easy method to generate fresh ideas for existing accounts and campaigns.

free keyword tool report illustration

9. HubSpot PPC management template

If you desire a centralized platform to systematize, monitor, and oversee all your PPC campaigns, HubSpot presents a comprehensive PPC management template. It’s replete with features such as a spend tracker, a PPC checklist, and Responsive Search Ad variation management, as illustrated below.

ppc tools - screenshot of hubspot management template

10. ChatGPT

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a burgeoning trend in PPC that’s poised for continued growth, so embracing AI-powered PPC tools is a prudent move. While you should never solely rely on AI for finalized content, a generative AI tool or an AI copywriting tool such as ChatGPT can prove invaluable for brainstorming ad headlines, descriptions, and calls to action. For instance, consider these AI prompts to experiment with on ChatGPT for PPC:

  • “Provide a few examples of high-performing advertising headlines in [niche or industry].”
  • “Assist in enhancing the tone of this product description to be more [desired tone]: [product description].”
  • “I aim to drive [desired result] on my landing page. Suggest five compelling calls to action I can employ.” Explore additional ChatGPT prompts here.

chatgpt prompt for headline inspiration

11. StoryLab.ai free Google Ads headline generator

If you’re inclined to test another AI-driven PPC tool for ad copy inspiration, consider StoryLab’s Google Ads headline generator. This tool’s standout feature is its capacity to tailor the writing style, aligning your ad’s tone with your brand’s messaging.

ppc tools - ad headline generator example

12. Canva

Whether your objective is to craft bespoke Facebook or Instagram image ads or to source royalty-free stock images for Google display ads and image assets, Canva offers everything you require to achieve creative success in PPC. Learn how to use Canva available here!

social media image size tools - canva

13. LocaliQ Website Grader

As you utilize the aforementioned PPC tools to enhance your campaigns, you’ll probably observe a surge in website traffic. As your click-through rates improve, ensure your website is primed to accommodate the influx of visitors. This entails guaranteeing a seamless user experience across all devices. LocaliQ’s Website Grader can assist you in achieving this by instantaneously generating a comprehensive report on your business’s online presence. The LocaliQ Website Grader even furnishes recommendations for website enhancement, providing clear guidance on optimizing your landing pages.

localiq website grader report

You’ve got a friend in these PPC tools

Everyone needs support from time to time, and your PPC accounts are no different. These PPC tools are at your disposal whenever you need to “phone a friend” during periods of high spending, low click-through rates, or increased cost per acquisition (CPA). If you’ve experimented with these free PPC tools but still aspire to extract greater value from your campaigns, explore how our solutions can assist you in maximizing your business’s triumph on critical platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and more!

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