Arcads vs MakeUGC
Both turn a script into a UGC-style video ad delivered by an AI actor, so you can test hooks for TikTok and Meta without hiring creators. They differ most in how they price and how much they show up front.
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Quick verdict
Pick Arcads if you run paid social at volume and want talking-actor ads plus top video models under one credit balance. Pick MakeUGC if you want published prices, a $1 trial and lots of ready-made ad templates. Both are strong, so check how many credits a typical ad uses against how many ads you plan to make each month.
Who each is best for
Arcads is best if you test lots of ad hooks every month, want talking actors plus models like Veo 3.1, Kling and Seedance in one workspace, and would use credit rollover, which Arcads gives on Pro and above.
MakeUGC is best if you want to see prices before you sign up, start with a $1 trial, and lean on templates, product-in-hand shots and API access, which MakeUGC includes on every plan.
Pricing and features
| Arcads | MakeUGC | |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 72 hours with 1,000 credits. Card required; the Starter monthly plan starts automatically afterwards | Any plan for $1; it renews at the plan price unless you cancel |
| Published prices | Dollar prices are shown in the app, not on the public site | Starter $29/mo, Growth $39/mo, Pro $79/mo (billed yearly) |
| Monthly credits | Starter 8,000 · Creator 16,000 · Pro 48,000 · Scale 96,000 · Business 192,000 | Starter 500 · Growth 1,000 · Pro 2,000–5,000 |
| Unused credits | Reset on Starter and Creator; roll over on Pro and above | Refresh monthly and don't roll over |
| Talking-actor video | 800 credits per Arcads 1.0 video (up to 2 minutes) | Credit cost depends on model, duration and resolution |
| AI actors | Custom actors on Pro and above (1,600 credits, once) | 300+ / 500+ / 1,000+ actors by plan; 0 / 1 / 3 custom avatars |
| API | Public API on Pro and above; Arcads MCP on every plan | API and MCP included on every plan |
| Annual billing | Yearly billing is 20% off | Annual billing saves up to 51% vs monthly |
| Our verdict | AI actors deliver your script as UGC-style video ads for TikTok and Meta. The fastest way to test lots of ad hooks without hiring creators; credits go quickly on short ads. | Lower-priced alternative to Arcads: AI actors, product-in-hand shots and 200+ ad templates. Great value for testing lots of creatives. Note: the $1 trial renews at the full plan price. |
Pricing and features come from each vendor's official pages, checked Oct 18, 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on their site before you buy.
How the pricing works
Arcads gives you a monthly pool of credits that every model and tool draws from. Every plan includes all models up to 4K, Mark (its AI agent) and the Arcads MCP. Creator and above add Workflows, background removal and AI captions. On Starter and Creator, generation stops when you hit the limit. On Pro and above, extra usage is billed on your next invoice.
MakeUGC also runs on credits, priced by model, duration and resolution. Starter allows one video and one image at a time with 480p or 720p exports. Growth adds HD to 4K exports, 10 parallel jobs and 3 seats.
Watch the trial terms
Both trials turn into paid plans on their own. Arcads starts the Starter monthly plan after 72 hours, and cancelling during the trial ends access right away. MakeUGC's $1 trial renews at the full price of the plan you picked unless you cancel from your account. Either way, put a reminder in your calendar on day one.
Our take
We list both in Best for Video and in the Paid Ads section of Best for Marketing & Advertising. If you're new to AI ads, MakeUGC's public pricing makes spend easier to plan. Once testing is weekly, Arcads' model library and rollover credits start to pay off.
Bottom line
Arcads is the more complete creative studio for heavy ad testing. MakeUGC is the easier place to start because its prices are public and its trial costs $1. Both trials convert to a paid plan automatically, so set a reminder.
See the full picks: Best for Video · Best for Marketing & Advertising
FAQ
Is Arcads or MakeUGC better?
Arcads is the more complete creative studio for heavy ad testing. MakeUGC is the easier place to start because its prices are public and its trial costs $1. Both trials convert to a paid plan automatically, so set a reminder.
When should I choose Arcads?
Choose Arcads if you test lots of ad hooks every month, want talking actors plus models like Veo 3.1, Kling and Seedance in one workspace, and would use credit rollover, which Arcads gives on Pro and above.
When should I choose MakeUGC?
Choose MakeUGC if you want to see prices before you sign up, start with a $1 trial, and lean on templates, product-in-hand shots and API access, which MakeUGC includes on every plan.
Sources
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