ADSwift / vs Apple Search Ads dashboard
ADSwift vs Apple Search Ads dashboard
Apple's web Search Ads dashboard is free and covers the basics — campaigns, ad groups, keywords, reports. ADSwift is a native macOS app that talks to the same API, plus connects with RevenueCat to show revenue per keyword, ships with an AI assistant, and lives in your menu bar.
At a glance
| ADSwift | Apple Search Ads dashboard | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Native macOS app (15 Sequoia+) | Web browser at searchads.apple.com |
| Cost | Free during beta · indie-friendly after launch | Free |
| Revenue per keyword (RevenueCat) | Yes | No |
| Multi-currency revenue (ECB conversion) | Yes | No |
| AI assistant (plain-English queries) | Yes | No |
| Multi-org workspace switcher | Yes — one click | Yes — re-login required |
| Menu-bar widget with daily revenue + sparkline | Yes | No |
| Screenshot disguise mode | Yes (⌘⇧D) | No |
| Bulk keyword upload from CSV | Yes | Yes |
| Where data is stored | Locally on your Mac | Apple's servers |
| Offline browsing of cached data | Yes | No |
| Newest Apple Ads features | Usually within days | Day one |
When ADSwift wins
- You sell a paid app or use in-app purchases and want to know which keywords actually earn money, not just which ones drive installs.
- You manage multiple Apple Ads orgs (agencies, freelancers) and want to switch in one click.
- You want to ask questions in plain English instead of building reports.
- You want a menu-bar widget showing today's revenue without opening a browser tab.
- You're concerned about data privacy — ADSwift talks directly from your Mac to Apple's and RevenueCat's APIs. There is no ADSwift backend storing your campaigns or revenue.
When Apple's dashboard wins
- You want day-one access to brand-new Apple Ads features (ADSwift typically catches up within days).
- You're on Windows or Linux, or you don't have a Mac.
- You only run a small handful of campaigns and don't need revenue attribution.
- You don't use RevenueCat and don't plan to.
How they work together
ADSwift talks to the same Apple Search Ads API the web dashboard uses, so any change you make in ADSwift appears in Apple's dashboard moments later (and vice versa). They are not exclusive — you can use both side by side. Many ADSwift users keep the web dashboard open for the rare new feature that hasn't landed in ADSwift yet.
FAQ
Is ADSwift a replacement for the Apple Search Ads dashboard?
ADSwift is a native macOS app that connects to the same Apple Search Ads API the web dashboard uses. It can do everything the dashboard does — create and edit campaigns, ad groups, and keywords — and adds revenue attribution via RevenueCat, an AI assistant, and a menu-bar widget. You can use both side by side without conflict.
Does Apple's Search Ads dashboard show revenue per keyword?
No. Apple's web dashboard shows installs, taps, spend, and CPA, but not revenue earned by each keyword. ADSwift fills this gap by matching Apple Search Ads keyword data with RevenueCat customer revenue.
Is Apple's Search Ads dashboard free?
Yes. Apple's web dashboard at searchads.apple.com is free for any Apple Ads advertiser. ADSwift is also free during the public beta and will have indie-friendly pricing after launch.
Can ADSwift do everything Apple's dashboard does?
Yes for everything exposed by the Apple Search Ads API: campaigns, ad groups, keywords, negatives, geo targeting, bids, budgets, reports. A small number of newest features may take days to appear in ADSwift after Apple ships them.
Ready to see revenue per keyword? ADSwift is free during the public beta.
Join the waitlist