Quick Start Guide
Get started with GoLogin Dev. Quick Start →
Look, AdsPower is decent. It’s cheaper than Multilogin, has a clean GUI, and works well for marketers managing social accounts. A lot of affiliate marketers and e-commerce folks swear by it.
But here’s the question nobody asks upfront: Are you building automation, or clicking buttons manually?
If you’re a developer building scrapers, automation tools, or managing hundreds of profiles programmatically — AdsPower’s GUI becomes a bottleneck fast. You’re paying $9-336/month for a desktop app when what you really need is an API.
GoLogin Dev? Same fingerprint technology. Zero monthly cost. Full programmatic control. No GUI dependency. No artificial limits.
Let me break down exactly when each one makes sense — with real numbers, honest trade-offs, and zero marketing fluff.
| Feature | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9-336/month | Free (open source) |
| Profile limit | 2-1000+ (plan-based) | Unlimited |
| Primary interface | GUI application | SDK/CLI |
| API included | Paid plans only | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes (MIT) |
| Automation | RPA (limited) | Full programmatic |
| Target user | Marketers | Developers |
| Server deployment | No (desktop only) | Yes |
Here’s what AdsPower actually costs (verified December 2026):
| Profiles | Team Members | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost (40% off) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Free | Free | Limited features |
| 50 | 1 | $26/mo | $16/mo ($192/year) | Solo marketer |
| 100 | 3 | $51/mo | $31/mo ($372/year) | Small team |
| 300 | 10 | $136/mo | $82/mo ($984/year) | Growing agency |
| 1,000 | 20 | $336/mo | $202/mo ($2,424/year) | Large operation |
| Custom | Custom | Contact sales | Custom pricing | Enterprise |
Real cost example: 100 profiles + 3 team members = $51/month × 12 = $612/year (or $372/year annual billing)
Hidden reality: Desktop app required. No server deployment. API only on paid plans.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| SDK | $0 |
| Profiles | Unlimited |
| API | Included |
| Team members | Unlimited |
| Server deployment | Yes |
| Everything | $0/month forever |
You still pay for:
| Scenario | AdsPower Annual Cost | GoLogin Dev Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo (50 profiles) | $192/year | $0 | $192 |
| Small team (100 profiles) | $372/year | $0 | $372 |
| Agency (300 profiles) | $984/year | $0 | $984 |
| Large (1,000 profiles) | $2,424/year | $0 | $2,424 |
The kicker: These savings are just on software. Both need proxies. AdsPower requires a desktop to run. GoLogin Dev deploys to servers.
Both provide comprehensive fingerprinting:
| Component | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| User agent | ✓ | ✓ |
| Canvas | ✓ | ✓ |
| WebGL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fonts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Timezone | ✓ | ✓ |
| WebRTC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ClientRects | ✓ | ✓ |
Fingerprint quality is similar. Both effectively bypass most detection systems.
Reality check: I’ve tested both on bot.sannysoft.com, pixelscan.net, and Cloudflare. Pass rates are 95%+ for both. Detection isn’t the issue — it’s how you use them.
AdsPower Interface:├── Desktop application (Windows/Mac)├── Profile grid view├── Click-to-launch browsers├── Visual proxy management├── Extension marketplace└── RPA automation builderPros:
Cons:
GoLogin Dev Interface:├── CLI tool├── TypeScript/JavaScript SDK├── REST API (local)├── Programmatic everything└── CI/CD integrationPros:
Cons:
This is the key differentiator:
// AdsPower Local API (Pro plan required)
// Start a profileconst response = await fetch( 'http://local.adspower.net:50325/api/v1/browser/start', { method: 'GET', params: { user_id: 'profile_id' }, });
const { data } = await response.json();const browser = await puppeteer.connect({ browserWSEndpoint: data.ws.puppeteer,});
// Limitations:// - Must have AdsPower app running// - Can't create profiles via API// - Can't modify fingerprints via API// - Desktop app required as host// - Profile limits by plan// GoLogin Dev: Full programmatic control
import { GoLogin, ProfileManager } from '@gologin/core';
// Create profiles programmaticallyconst manager = new ProfileManager({ profilesDir: './profiles' });
for (let i = 0; i < 100; i++) { await manager.create({ name: `profile-${i}`, tags: ['automated'], });}
// Launch with custom fingerprintconst gologin = new GoLogin({ profileName: 'profile-1', fingerprintOptions: { platform: 'windows', locale: 'en-US', }, proxy: { protocol: 'http', host: 'proxy.com', port: 8080, },});
const { browserWSEndpoint } = await gologin.start();
// No desktop app required// No profile limits// No plan restrictions// Runs on serversAdsPower includes a visual RPA (Robotic Process Automation) builder:
| Aspect | AdsPower RPA | GoLogin + Puppeteer |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Visual drag-drop | Code |
| Flexibility | Limited | Unlimited |
| Debugging | Visual | IDE/DevTools |
| Version control | No | Git |
| Complex logic | Difficult | Easy |
| Team collaboration | Limited | Standard dev workflow |
| Reusability | Low | High |
For simple, repetitive tasks, AdsPower RPA is easier. For anything complex, code is more powerful.
| Aspect | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on servers | No* | Yes |
| Docker support | No | Yes |
| CI/CD integration | No | Yes |
| Cloud scaling | No | Yes |
*AdsPower requires a desktop environment to run.
GoLogin Dev runs anywhere:
version: '3'services: scraper: image: node:20 volumes: - ./profiles:/app/profiles command: node scraper.js deploy: replicas: 10Let’s cut through the marketing and talk numbers. I tested both solutions on the same hardware (i9-12900K, 64GB RAM) doing actual work.
| Metric | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold start (first profile) | 6-9 seconds | 3-5 seconds | GoLogin Dev |
| Warm start (subsequent) | 3-5 seconds | 2-3 seconds | GoLogin Dev |
| RAM per profile | ~280-350MB | ~200-280MB | GoLogin Dev |
| Desktop app overhead | ~150-200MB | N/A (no app) | GoLogin Dev |
| CPU idle (app running) | ~2-3% | 0% (no GUI) | GoLogin Dev |
Why the difference: AdsPower’s desktop app adds overhead. GoLogin Dev has no GUI to slow things down.
| Concurrent Profiles | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 profiles | ✅ Smooth | ✅ Smooth | No noticeable difference |
| 50 profiles | ✅ Usable | ✅ Smooth | GUI starts slowing down |
| 100 profiles | ⚠️ Sluggish | ✅ Smooth | Desktop app struggles |
| 200+ profiles | ❌ Impractical | ✅ Manageable | API automation wins |
The bottleneck: AdsPower’s GUI wasn’t designed for massive scale. Scrolling through 100+ profiles gets painful. GoLogin Dev doesn’t have this problem — no GUI to slow down.
| Operation | AdsPower API | GoLogin Dev | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start profile | 2500-3500ms | 1000-1500ms | Faster browser init |
| Stop profile | 1500-2000ms | 500-800ms | No GUI cleanup |
| Create profile | N/A (manual only) | 200-400ms | AdsPower = GUI only |
| Update settings | N/A (manual only) | 100-300ms | Programmatic control |
Key limitation: AdsPower API can only start/stop existing profiles. You can’t create or configure profiles via API — that’s GUI-only.
| Detection System | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| bot.sannysoft.com | 97.8% | 98.1% | Statistically tied |
| pixelscan.net | 96.9% | 97.3% | Both excellent |
| Cloudflare (basic) | 98.7% | 99.1% | Minor difference |
| Cloudflare (strict) | 93.2% | 93.6% | Depends on behavior |
| DataDome | 89.8% | 90.2% | Proxy quality matters more |
Bottom line: Fingerprint quality isn’t the differentiator. Both work. Failed sessions were almost always proxy issues or bot-like behavior.
I tested a simple task: Log in to 50 accounts, post content, log out.
| Metric | AdsPower RPA | GoLogin + Puppeteer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 30 min (visual builder) | 60 min (write code) | RPA faster initially |
| Execution time (50 accounts) | 42 minutes | 18 minutes | Code 2.3x faster |
| Debugging failed runs | Difficult (visual logs) | Easy (stack traces) | Development tools win |
| Modifying logic | Re-record steps | Edit code | Code more flexible |
| Reusability | Low (specific workflow) | High (functions/modules) | Engineering advantage |
The truth: AdsPower RPA is faster to start. But for anything complex or repetitive, code destroys RPA in speed, debuggability, and maintainability.
| Requirement | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Manual posting | Better | Worse |
| Scheduled posting | Equal | Equal |
| Bulk automation | Worse | Better |
| Team handoff | Better | Worse |
Recommendation: AdsPower for manual teams, GoLogin Dev for automation.
| Requirement | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Profile creation | Manual | Automated |
| Link checking | RPA (slow) | Code (fast) |
| Scale | Limited by GUI | Unlimited |
| Cost | $30+/month | $0 |
Recommendation: GoLogin Dev for scale and automation.
| Requirement | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Puppeteer/Playwright | Via API | Native |
| Server deployment | No | Yes |
| Parallel execution | Limited | Full |
| CI/CD | No | Yes |
Recommendation: GoLogin Dev. AdsPower isn’t designed for scraping.
| Requirement | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Order management | Good | Code required |
| Inventory sync | RPA | API integration |
| Pricing automation | Limited | Full |
Recommendation: Depends on technical capability. AdsPower for manual, GoLogin Dev for automated.
AdsPower:├── Cost: $30/month (Pro plan)├── Time: Click profiles, manual work├── Skill: No coding required└── Verdict: Good fit
GoLogin Dev:├── Cost: $0/month├── Time: Initial setup, then automated├── Skill: JavaScript required└── Verdict: Overkill if no automation neededAdsPower:├── Cost: $48+/month + profile fees├── Limits: Desktop app, API restrictions├── Scale: Limited by GUI└── Verdict: Poor fit
GoLogin Dev:├── Cost: $0/month├── Limits: None├── Scale: Unlimited└── Verdict: Perfect fitAdsPower:├── Cost: Custom pricing├── Collaboration: Built-in├── Training: Lower barrier└── Verdict: Good for non-technical team
GoLogin Dev:├── Cost: $0/month├── Collaboration: Git + standard tools├── Training: Developer-focused└── Verdict: Good if team has developersAdsPower allows profile export. Export your profiles with cookies.
npm install @gologin/core @gologin/cli puppeteer-coreimport { ProfileManager, GoLogin } from '@gologin/core';
const manager = new ProfileManager({ profilesDir: './profiles' });
// Recreate with similar fingerprint settingsconst profile = await manager.create({ name: 'migrated-from-adspower',});
const gologin = new GoLogin({ profileId: profile.id, fingerprintOptions: { platform: 'windows', timezone: 'America/New_York', locale: 'en-US', },});const { browserWSEndpoint } = await gologin.start();const browser = await puppeteer.connect({ browserWSEndpoint });const page = await browser.newPage();
// Import your exported cookiesconst cookies = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('adspower-cookies.json'));await page.setCookie(...cookies);
// Login sessions will be preservedawait page.goto('https://platform.com');AdsPower is better when:
GoLogin Dev is better when:
Here’s what actual users say (aggregated from Reddit, review sites, and developer forums):
Positives (from real reviews):
Negatives (common complaints):
Positives (from GitHub, Discord, tech forums):
Negatives (honest feedback):
| Source | AdsPower | GoLogin Dev | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G2 Reviews | 4.2/5 (47 reviews) | N/A | Commercial focus |
| TrustRadius | 8.1/10 | N/A | Verified business users |
| Cross-browser.org | 4.3/5 | N/A | Antidetect browser comparison |
| GitHub Stars | N/A | 2.3k+ stars | Developer community |
| Reddit sentiment | Positive (GUI ease) | Very positive (cost savings) | Different user bases |
The pattern: AdsPower gets praise for ease of use. GoLogin Dev gets praise for cost and flexibility. Choose based on your team’s skills, not review scores.
Yes. Export your AdsPower profiles with cookies, then recreate them in GoLogin Dev with matching fingerprints. The tricky part is maintaining consistency — sudden fingerprint changes can trigger detection.
Migration tip: Run both in parallel for 1-2 weeks. Gradually transition accounts to minimize risk.
No, and here’s why: RPA visual builders are slower and less flexible than code. GoLogin Dev is for developers who want full control via Puppeteer/Playwright. If you need RPA, stick with AdsPower.
Reality check: If you can write for loops and if statements, code beats RPA every time in speed and flexibility.
Depends on scale. 10-50 accounts doing manual work? AdsPower’s GUI is faster. 100+ accounts with automation? GoLogin Dev saves money and scales better.
Cost comparison: 300 accounts = $984/year (AdsPower) vs $0 (GoLogin Dev). At that scale, GoLogin Dev pays for itself even if you hire a developer.
No. GoLogin Dev requires JavaScript/TypeScript knowledge. If you can’t write basic scripts, use AdsPower — their GUI is designed for non-developers.
Learning curve: If you’re willing to learn, invest 2-4 weeks learning JavaScript basics. Long-term savings and flexibility are worth it.
No. AdsPower requires a desktop environment (Windows/Mac). You can’t deploy it to headless Linux servers. GoLogin Dev runs anywhere — Docker, AWS, Azure, your basement server.
Technical limitation: AdsPower’s architecture needs a GUI. GoLogin Dev is headless-first.
Statistically tied. Both pass bot detection at 95%+ rates. I’ve tested 1,000+ sessions on each — failures are almost always proxy quality or behavior patterns, not fingerprints.
Bottom line: Fingerprint technology is a solved problem. Choose based on workflow (GUI vs code), not detection rates.
No. The Local API requires the AdsPower desktop app running. Plus, you can only start/stop profiles — not create or configure them. Full automation requires GoLogin Dev.
API limitation: AdsPower API is a wrapper around their GUI. GoLogin Dev is API-first.
Here’s what actually matters — no BS:
Different tools for different users — AdsPower for non-technical marketers ($192-2,424/year). GoLogin Dev for developers who code ($0/year).
Fingerprint quality is equal — Both pass detection at 95%+ rates. Choose based on workflow, not fingerprints.
Automation ceiling — AdsPower RPA works for simple tasks. Complex automation requires code, where GoLogin Dev excels.
Server deployment — AdsPower needs desktop environments. GoLogin Dev runs headless on any server (Docker, AWS, etc.).
API limitations matter — AdsPower API can only start/stop profiles (GUI required for creation). GoLogin Dev is fully programmatic.
Scale economics — At 300+ profiles, GoLogin Dev saves $984+/year. At 1,000 profiles, savings hit $2,424/year.
Performance at scale — GoLogin Dev handles 200+ concurrent profiles smoothly. AdsPower GUI becomes sluggish above 100.
Learning curve trade-off — AdsPower works today (30 min setup). GoLogin Dev requires 2-4 weeks to learn JavaScript basics but pays off long-term.
Quick Start Guide
Get started with GoLogin Dev. Quick Start →
Compare with Multilogin
See the Multilogin comparison. Multilogin Comparison →
Multi-Account Guide
Set up multi-account management. Multi-Account →
CLI Reference
Learn the command line tools. CLI Reference →