Google Ads MCP by AdPlug vs MCP Gads
A side-by-side look at the Google Ads MCP by AdPlug and MCP Gads MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Google Ads MCP by AdPlug for marketing work over a hosted endpoint; choose MCP Gads for marketing as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Google Ads MCP by AdPlug when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Marketing domain.
- You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
- You want tools like
adplug_get_status, google_ads_list_accounts, google_ads_account_performance.
Choose MCP Gads when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Marketing domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
GOOGLE_ADS_DEVELOPER_TOKEN, GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS_PATH. - You want tools like
list_accounts, get_account_currency, get_account_hierarchy.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Quality signal | 48/100 · Fair | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Remote HTTP/SSE | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | GOOGLE_ADS_DEVELOPER_TOKENGOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS_PATH |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 1 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 8 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 16 | 36 |
| Full listing | View Google Ads MCP by AdPlug | View MCP Gads |
Tools & capabilities
Google Ads MCP by AdPlug tools 16
adplug_get_statusCheck whether Google Ads is connected and healthy.google_ads_list_accountsList all accessible accounts with names, types, currencies, and MCC hierarchy.google_ads_account_performanceCross-account spend overview in one call (skips MCC managers).google_ads_campaign_performanceCampaign-level metrics, no GAQL required.google_ads_conversion_performanceConversion-action breakdowns with segmentation handled for you.google_ads_daily_trendsDay-by-day metric trends.google_ads_search_termsSearch-term report, sorted by cost.google_ads_shared_set_criteriaContents of shared negative-keyword lists.google_ads_keyword_ideasKeyword research and ideas.google_ads_gaql_docGAQL syntax reference.google_ads_reporting_view_docExact field names, types, and filterability for a reporting view.google_ads_queryRun raw GAQL for custom or advanced queries.- +4 more on the listing page
MCP Gads tools 36
list_accountsLists all accessible Google Ads accounts. Run this first to discover account IDs.get_account_currencyGet the currency code for a Google Ads account. Run this before analyzing cost data.get_account_hierarchyGet the MCC account tree showing manager-client relationships via customer_client resource.execute_gaql_queryExecute a custom GAQL query and return results as a table. Use this for any ad-hoc Google Ads Query Language query.run_gaqlExecute any GAQL query with output format options (table, json, csv). The most powerful tool for custom Google Ads data queries. EXAMPLE QUERIES: Campaign metrics: SELECT campaign.name, metrics.clicks, metrics.impressions, metrics.cost_micros FROM campaign WHERE segments.date DURING LAST_7_DAYS Ad group perf: SELECT ad_group.name, metrics.conversions, metrics.cost_micros, campaign.name FROM ad_group WHERE metrics.clicks > 100 Keyword analysis: SELECT keyword.text, metrics.ctr FROM keyword_view ORDER BY metrics.impressions DESC Note: Cost values are in micros (1,000,000 = 1 unit of currency).get_gaql_helpGet a GAQL (Google Ads Query Language) reference guide with syntax, common resources, date filters, and example queries. Call this before writing custom GAQL queries.list_resourcesList valid Google Ads API resources that can be used in GAQL FROM clauses.get_campaign_performanceGet campaign performance metrics for the specified time period. RECOMMENDED WORKFLOW: 1. First run list_accounts() to get available account IDs 2. Then run get_account_currency() to see what currency the account uses 3. Finally run this command to get campaign performance Note: Cost values are in micros (1,000,000 = 1 unit of currency).get_budget_utilizationGet campaign budget amounts vs actual spend to see budget utilization. Shows whether campaigns are limited by budget.get_ad_performanceGet ad-level performance metrics for the specified time period. RECOMMENDED WORKFLOW: 1. First run list_accounts() to get available account IDs 2. Then run get_account_currency() to see what currency the account uses 3. Finally run this command to get ad performance Note: Cost values are in micros (1,000,000 = 1 unit of currency).get_ad_creativesGet ad creative details including RSA headlines, descriptions, and final URLs. Great for creative audits.get_image_assetsRetrieve all image assets in the account including their full-size URLs, dimensions, and file sizes.- +24 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Google Ads MCP by AdPlug
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-ads-mcp-by-adplug": {
"url": "https://api.adplug.app/mcp/google-ads"
}
}
}
MCP Gads
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-gads": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-gads"
],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_ADS_DEVELOPER_TOKEN": "YOUR_GOOGLE_ADS_DEVELOPER_TOKEN_HERE",
"GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS_PATH": "YOUR_GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS_PATH_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Google Ads MCP by AdPlug is categorized under Marketing and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. MCP Gads belongs to Marketing and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Google Ads MCP by AdPlug for marketing work and MCP Gads for marketing.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Google Ads MCP by AdPlug has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. MCP Gads has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add google-ads-mcp-by-adplug and mcp-gads as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Google Ads MCP by AdPlug has a quality signal of 48/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. MCP Gads has 61/100 (Good) with 8 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.