Decision Support · Side-by-side
Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.
Change tools
Microsoft Advertising
Best overallFor most everyday users and small businesses, Microsoft Advertising is the clear winner: it's free to start, works with a Microsoft account you likely already have, and reaches billions via Bing, Edge, and partner search engines. Metadata is a powerful but expensive B2B automation tool for large marketing teams running complex ad campaigns across many channels — it's overkill and too costly for a regular person or small business owner.
Metadata
Microsoft Advertising
Scores at a glance
Choose Metadata if
Choose Microsoft Advertising if
Key differences
Facts side by side
| Metadata | Microsoft Advertising | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| API access |
Common questions
No. Metadata is built for B2B marketing teams with existing CRM and MAP tools — it's expensive and complex. Microsoft Advertising is free to start, easy to set up, and works for any business size.
No. Metadata does not have a mobile app, and its website is not optimized for phone use. You'll need a computer to manage campaigns.
Yes. Microsoft Advertising includes Copilot for campaign recommendations, automated bidding, and AI-driven audience targeting — all built into the platform at no extra cost.
Both can work, but Microsoft Advertising reaches Bing users (often older, desktop-heavy, and professional), while Metadata lets you target LinkedIn and other channels with first-party data from your CRM.
Yes. Metadata's onboarding steps require connecting a CRM like Salesforce or HubSpot and a MAP like Marketo or Pardot. Without those, you can't use the tool effectively.
Microsoft Advertising wins for everyday users and small businesses; Metadata is a powerful but pricey B2B automation tool for marketing teams.
If you're just starting out or running a small business, go with Microsoft Advertising — it's free to try, easy to set up, and reaches a huge audience. If you're part of a B2B marketing team with a CRM and a budget for automation, Metadata can save you hours of manual work, but be ready for a learning curve and a serious price tag.
Detail pages: Metadata · Microsoft Advertising