Deciding if Smartly’s pricing is worth it isn’t a simple yes-or-no answer, which is why we’re breaking it down in this article. We believe there’s no such thing as a tool that’s “too expensive” - it’s all about whether the value matches the price. As marketers ourselves, we’ve been in your shoes, wondering if a tool is really worth the investment.
In this article, we’ll help you figure out if Smartly is the right choice for you—whether you’re thinking about trying it for the first time or deciding if it’s worth sticking with.
Who is Smartly.io designed for?
Smartly started as a solution for growing brands, simplifying social advertising. But those days are long gone. As Smartly evolved into an enterprise company, so did their audience. Now, as an end-to-end platform for digital advertising, Smartly targets Fortune 500 companies, enterprise brands, and businesses spending $1M+ on ads each month.
Today, Smartly automates creative and media workflows across all social platforms, offering advanced cross-channel tools and features.
But what about businesses that don’t need this level of sophistication? Do they still have to pay for an enterprise-level solution? The answer is yes. And that’s where the conversation about Smartly’s pricing begins.
The problem(s) with Smartly pricing
After talking with some of our customers who are former Smartly users, we mapped out the most common challenges they faced and why they found it hard to justify Smartly’s cost. Even if you’ve never used Smartly, these insights can still be valuable.
Overpriced for mid-market businesses
As a mid-market brand with an ad spend of around €100K, and focus mostly on Meta, you will find it very hard to justify the price you’re paying for Smartly. One of the obstacles, as we heard, is the fact they are charging based on your whole ad spend. This model pressures businesses in growth phases to generate immediate ROI. When the wanted outcome doesn’t come as fast, doubts arise. Especially when there are bloated features you’re not even using but paying for it anyway. (See the G2 review)
Not all tiers have access to the same features. For example, tier 1 and some tier 2 clients will have AI features and Catalog Product Video (formerly PLV) included in their pricing, while tier 3 clients need to pay extra.
Outdated and rigid workflow
Long-term Smartly users often struggle with workflows they set up early on, finding it hard to adapt as their needs evolve. While Smartly’s system is robust and powerful, it can make efficiency a challenge. Brands may not notice this at first, but when results slip, the need for change becomes clear.
For businesses focused solely on Meta or Snapchat, Smartly’s complex setups designed for omnichannel campaigns can feel like overkill. Instead of quickly getting ads live, they’re slowed down by unnecessary complexity.
Lack of strategic of support
Using a platform like Smartly isn’t straightforward - it takes more than just a manual. You need guidance - not only technical support but also a strategic approach from a team that ensures you’re leveraging the platform’s full potential. However, getting that level of support from Smartly can be challenging, especially for tier 3 clients.
Some clients feel left on their own, dealing with outsourced support and impersonal service. Without proper guidance, it’s nearly impossible to maximize Smartly’s features, making it a risky investment. (See the G2 review here)
Hunch: Fair Priced Alternative for 2025
We believe Hunch is what Smartly used to be - a platform that automates both creative and media workflows, focused on Meta and Snapchat, all at fair pricing. But we know you’d rather see concrete examples than hear about how we see ourselves. So, let’s break it down.
Tailored pricing for mid-market players
Let’s set the record straight: if you’re a tier 3 customer at Smartly, with Hunch, you’d be a tier 1 customer. Our target audience is mid-market brands and businesses in a growth phase, with €80K–€500K in ad spend, primarily on Meta. We’ve tailored our pricing to this audience, offering a transparent model where you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Source: Internet research
Hunch only charges for ad spend run through our platform. Our base fee is €2,500 per month, which includes €50K of ad spend (higher plans come with even more).
In simple terms, a business spending €50K per month with Hunch would only pay €2,500—no extra fees on ad spend, no surprises.
Workflows customized to the unique business needs
Hunch is built to adapt to the diverse workflows of modern marketers. Strong focus on Meta and Snapchat, allows us to quickly adopt innovations like Catalog Product Video, ensuring our platform evolves with the needs of advertisers.
Hunch streamlines both creative and media processes by integrating them into a single platform. Dynamic templates simplify campaign management by reducing repetitive work, while Google Sheets integration provides flexibility for teams with unique workflows, making campaign setup faster and more efficient.
Superior support and user experience
Hunch prioritizes personalized support, offering both technical and strategic guidance. Every customer is assigned a dedicated Customer Success Manager and Account Manager, along with access to dedicated Slack channels for real-time assistance whenever it’s needed.
We also ensure your onboarding process is smooth and effective. Thanks to our user-friendly interface, even teams hesitant to adopt a new platform can quickly adapt, making the transition seamless and hassle-free.
What’s the catch then?
This is an honest conversation, so let’s address the catch as well.
First, Hunch offers full integration—both creative and media—for Meta and Snapchat. While you can produce creatives for other social platforms, Hunch doesn’t yet offer advanced features like full omnichannel support.
Second, many advertisers worry about switching from Smartly, fearing the migration might disrupt their workflow, compromise campaign learnings, or take too long. Here’s the straightforward answer: Hunch can replicate your Smartly workflow and tailor it to your current needs, without risking campaign performance or efficiency.
We take pride in delivering a smooth migration process, at no extra cost. But don’t just take our word for it: see how ex-Smartly customer Nordbutiker migrated to Hunch in just three days.
The bottom line: Is Smartly worth it in 2025?
If you’re an enterprise-level, omnichannel advertiser running heavy budgets across all major social platforms and need an end-to-end solution- then yes.
But if you’re a challenger brand in growth mode, hungry for innovation, and focused primarily on Meta, it’s time to think twice.
Ask yourself: Does my ad spend and strategy truly justify Smartly’s pricing? Once you’ve answered that - give us a call.
Read a detailed comparison of Smartly and Hunch, if you need it.
- This comparison is based on publicly available information such as G2 reviews and customer feedback as of January 2025.
- The opinions and claims expressed on this page are based on Hunch's understanding of the platforms and may not reflect the views of Smartly.io.
- All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
