What is the key difference between Apple Ads and Apple Search Ads MCP?

Apple Ads belongs to the Marketing category with local stdio execution, while Apple Search Ads MCP belongs to the Marketing category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Apple Ads or Apple Search Ads MCP in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Apple Ads and Apple Search Ads MCP free or paid?

Apple Ads operates under a Free / Open Source model (other). Apple Search Ads MCP operates under a Free / Open Source model (API Key required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Apple Ads lists 6 tools with 3 views and 6 GitHub stars. Apple Search Ads MCP lists 7 tools with 2 views and 10 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Apple Ads and Apple Search Ads MCP together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Apple Ads vs Apple Search Ads MCP

In-depth architectural comparison of the Apple Ads and Apple Search Ads MCP MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Apple Ads

Marketing · Local stdio

Quality: 43/100 (Fair) | Auth: other

Apple Search Ads MCP

Marketing · Local stdio

Quality: 51/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required

Verdict Summary: Choose Apple Ads if you need specialized Marketing tools running via a local process. Choose Apple Search Ads MCP if your workspace requires Marketing integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Apple Ads when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Marketing domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: other (Free / Open Source).
You have access to required keys: ASA_CLIENT_ID, ASA_TEAM_ID, ASA_KEY_ID, ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH.
Primary tools included: Campaign and ad group management, Targeting and negative keyword management, Campaign, ad group, keyword, ad, and geo reports.

Explore Apple Ads Details

Choose Apple Search Ads MCP when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Marketing domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: API Key required (Free / Open Source).
You have access to required keys: ASA_CLIENT_ID, ASA_TEAM_ID, ASA_KEY_ID, ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH, ASA_PRIVATE_KEY, ASA_ORG_ID.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Apple Ads Marketing	Apple Search Ads MCP AppVisionOS Marketing
Summary	Manage Apple Search Ads campaigns, keywords, budgets, and reports via API v5.	Apple Ads (formerly Apple Search Ads) Campaign Management API v5 with 1:1 endpoint coverage — 74 typed tools across campaigns, ad groups, ads, creatives, custom product pages, targeting + negative keywords, performance reports, async impression-share reports, budget orders, ACLs, app/geo discovery, and rejection-reason audits. Multi-org support via per-call override. Install: npm i -g apple-search-ads-mcp.
Category & Scope

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Apple Ads Tools (6)

Campaign and ad group management

Targeting and negative keyword management

Campaign, ad group, keyword, ad, and geo reports

Search term analysis

Creative and product page management

Budget orders and impression share reporting

Apple Search Ads MCP Tools (7)

reports_campaigns

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

Apple Ads Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apple-ads": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "apple-ads-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ASA_CLIENT_ID": "YOUR_ASA_CLIENT_ID_HERE",
        "ASA_TEAM_ID": "YOUR_ASA_TEAM_ID_HERE",
        "ASA_KEY_ID": "YOUR_ASA_KEY_ID_HERE",
        "ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH": "YOUR_ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Apple Search Ads MCP Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "appvisionos-apple-search-ads-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "appvisionos-apple-search-ads-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ASA_CLIENT_ID": "YOUR_ASA_CLIENT_ID_HERE",
        "ASA_TEAM_ID": "YOUR_ASA_TEAM_ID_HERE",
        "ASA_KEY_ID": "YOUR_ASA_KEY_ID_HERE",
        "ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH": "YOUR_ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH_HERE",
        "ASA_PRIVATE_KEY": "YOUR_ASA_PRIVATE_KEY_HERE",
        "ASA_ORG_ID": "YOUR_ASA_ORG_ID_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Apple Ads is categorized under Marketing and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Apple Search Ads MCP belongs to Marketing using local stdio subprocess. Select Apple Ads when you need capabilities focused on marketing and Apple Search Ads MCP when you require tools for marketing.

More alternatives to Apple Ads More alternatives to Apple Search Ads MCP Marketing category hub