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Head-to-head · Video Ad Maker Software

Topview AI vs Pencil

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Topview AI #2 in Video Ad Maker Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Topview AI
Pencil #3 in Video Ad Maker Software 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Pencil

Topview AI leads on 1 check, Pencil on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTopview AI · 9.3/10
  • Lowest starting pricePencil · $11/mo
  • Free planonly Topview AI
  • Most featuresPencil · 1 of 4

Topview AI scores higher on our rubric for video ad maker software: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Topview AI offers free plan; Pencil doesn't. Pencil is cheaper to start at $11/mo against $29/mo.

Topview AI is the better fit for product marketers making short-form video ads. Pencil is the better fit for ad teams optimizing video and static creative.

  • Topview AI fits best

    Product marketers making short-form video ads

  • Pencil fits best

    Ad teams optimizing video and static creative

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Topview AI 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Pencil 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.1
Ranking #2 in Video Ad Maker Software #3 in Video Ad Maker Software
Best for Product marketers making short-form video ads Ad teams optimizing video and static creative
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $29/mo $11/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Features Topview AI 0/4 · Pencil 1/4
AI video generation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Stock media library Not checked yet Not checked yet
Brand kit Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Watermark removal Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Ad template count Not checked yet Not checked yet
Video length limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Aspect ratio options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Generates videos from prompts, images, scripts, URLs, and references
  • Includes avatars, hooks, captions, voiceover, upscaling, and exports
  • Offers REST API access for video, avatar, image, and product workflows
  • Generates video, static ads, copy, images, and complete ad creatives
  • Connects ad accounts for launch, tracking, imports, and performance analysis
  • Supports brand controls, bulk generation, resizing, and creative scores
Cons
  • Higher starting price than some category alternatives
  • Free-user commercial use is restricted by the terms
  • Ultra plan credits do not include API access
  • Full access starts on paid plans rather than a permanent free plan
  • Broader ad production scope may exceed teams focused only on video
  • Core limits generation volume to 50 generations per month
Our verdict

Topview AI is a browser-based AI video creation platform for marketers, ecommerce teams, creators, agencies, and brands. It supports text-to-video and image-to-video generation, product URL workflows, AI avatars, product avatars, scripts,…

Read the review →

Pencil is a web-based generative AI platform for marketers, agencies, and enterprise teams creating advertising creatives. It covers text, images, video, static ads, and complete ad concepts, using brand assets, guidelines, and performance…

Read the review →
  1. Topview AIVideo Ad Maker Software 9.3Free plan
  2. PencilVideo Ad Maker Software 9.1Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Topview AI — where it wins

    • Generates videos from prompts, images, scripts, URLs, and references
    • Includes avatars, hooks, captions, voiceover, upscaling, and exports
    • Offers REST API access for video, avatar, image, and product workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Higher starting price than some category alternatives
    • Free-user commercial use is restricted by the terms
    • Ultra plan credits do not include API access

  • Pencil — where it wins

    • Generates video, static ads, copy, images, and complete ad creatives
    • Connects ad accounts for launch, tracking, imports, and performance analysis
    • Supports brand controls, bulk generation, resizing, and creative scores

    Where it doesn't

    • Full access starts on paid plans rather than a permanent free plan
    • Broader ad production scope may exceed teams focused only on video
    • Core limits generation volume to 50 generations per month

More comparisons

All video ad maker software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update