Pencil vs Promo
Pencil
trypencil.com
Promo
promo.comSide by side
| Figure | Pencil | Promo |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $11/mo | $29/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 13 | 7 |
| Spec score · Video Advertising Software | 8.5 (#1) | 8.2 (#2) |
| Export | Users can export creatives directly to connected ad accounts or download PNG and MP4 files. | Basic plans download in 720p HD, while Standard and Pro download in 1080p Full HD, with MP4 output. |
| Founded | 2018 | 2016 |
| Free access | The pricing page says users can sign up and create six ads through a guided experience for free; full platform access requires a paid plan. | A free account requires no credit card and allows unlimited video drafts before download requires a paid plan. |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Security | Pencil says it has SOC 2 Type II audited security controls and that customer data is not used to train its models. | Promo says Stripe handles payments, communications and data transfer are secured and encrypted, and card details are not stored on Promo servers. |
| Support | Core includes chat support, Growth includes direct access to the product team and roadmap, and Pro includes dedicated customer success. | Promo offers human live chat support and email support at [email protected]. |
Plans
Pencil
- Basic — 50 generations annual$11 a month
- Core$11 a month
- Basic — 50 generations$14 a month
- Basic — 100 generations annual$19 a month
- Basic — 100 generations$24 a month
- Basic — 250 generations annual$44 a month
- Growth$44 a month
- Basic — 250 generations$55 a month
- Basic — 500 generations annual$79 a month
- Basic — 500 generations$99 a month
Promo
- Basic$29 a month
- Standard$59 a month
- Pro$199 a month
- Basic$348 a year
- Standard$708 a year
- Pro$2,388 a year
- BusinessPriced on request
In their own words
Pencil
Pencil is a web-based creative marketing platform that uses AI to generate advertising copy, images, and video ads. Its workflow runs from briefing and generation through editing, approvals, publishing, and evaluation. The browser editor handles text, image, video, and HTML, with exports in GIF, MP4, HTML5, and static formats. Pencil says a single template can produce thousands of variations and be adapted across markets through localization or translation. Listed generally available ad integrations include Meta, TikTok Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Google Ads, YouTube, Display & Video 360, and Campaign Manager 360. Users can create six ads for free through a guided experience, but full platform access requires a paid plan. Core costs $11 a month billed annually and includes 50 generations per month and one workspace. Growth costs $44 a month billed annually, with 250 monthly generations and unlimited workspaces. Pro has custom pricing and unlimited generations. Pencil says its security controls are SOC 2 Type II audited and that customer data is not used to train its models.
Promo
Promo is an online video creation platform for businesses and agencies. Users can make, edit, download, and share videos with templates, stock footage, music, and branding tools. PromoAI creates personalized videos and provides a social-media calendar with scheduling and publishing. A free account requires no credit card and permits unlimited video drafts, but downloading requires a paid plan. Basic users can preview PromoAI videos; downloading or publishing them requires Standard or Pro. Basic exports are 720p HD, while Standard and Pro provide 1080p Full HD MP4 output. Plans support videos up to five minutes. Promo can publish directly to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X, and lists direct uploads to Google Drive, Dropbox, HubSpot, and Wistia. Downloaded videos include a lifetime license for unlimited sharing, though editorial footage featuring celebrities, sports, and news is limited to non-commercial use. Annual-billed plans start at $29 a month. Promo offers human live chat and email support and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.