Comparison
burn-r8 vs Google Ads Scripts
Google Ads Scripts let you automate tasks with JavaScript. burn-r8 gives your AI assistant 65 pre-built tools to do the same thing in natural language. No coding, no maintenance, no 30-minute execution limits.
Choose burn-r8 if:
- You want to manage Google Ads without writing JavaScript
- You are tired of scripts breaking with API changes
- You already use AI tools (Claude Code, Cursor)
- You want 65 ready-to-use tools, not custom code for each task
Choose Scripts if:
- You need scheduled automations that run unattended
- You want fully custom logic with loops and conditionals
- You are comfortable writing and maintaining JavaScript
Cost comparison
Scripts are free, but developer time is not.
| Option | Price | Setup time | Maintenance | Skill required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Ads Scripts | $0 | Hours to days (per script) | Ongoing (API changes) | JavaScript |
| burn-r8 Hobby | $10/mo | Minutes | None | Natural language |
| burn-r8 Pro | $20/mo | Minutes | None | Natural language |
Feature comparison
| Feature | burn-r8 | Scripts |
|---|---|---|
| Natural language interface | ||
| No coding required | ||
| Pre-built tools | 65 | Write your own |
| MCP integration | ||
| Account audit (74 checks) | ||
| Keyword research (real CPC) | ||
| Scheduled execution | ||
| Custom logic / loops | ||
| API version handling | ||
| Open source | ||
| Self-hostable | ||
| Works with Claude Code | ||
| Works with Cursor | ||
| Free tier | 50 calls/mo | Unlimited |
Key differences
Natural language vs JavaScript
Scripts require writing JavaScript against Google's Ads API. Every task needs a custom script: bid adjustments, keyword cleanup, reporting. burn-r8 provides 65 pre-built tools you control through natural language. Ask your AI assistant to "pause all campaigns spending over $50/day with zero conversions" and it calls the right tools in sequence.
Maintenance burden
Google Ads Scripts break when the API changes. Google deprecates endpoints, changes field names, and updates authentication requirements. If you have 10 scripts running, that is 10 scripts to debug and fix. burn-r8 handles API versioning in the open-source package, so you never maintain compatibility code.
Execution model
Scripts run on Google's servers with a 30-minute execution limit. They can be scheduled to run hourly or daily. burn-r8 runs interactively through MCP clients. You get results in seconds, but you trigger them yourself. If you need unattended scheduled automations, Scripts still have an edge. If you need fast, interactive account management, burn-r8 wins.
Depth of tooling
With Scripts, you can do anything the Google Ads API supports, but you have to build it. burn-r8 ships with 65 tools across 14 categories, including quick_audit (74 automated checks), cleanup_wasted_spend, keyword research with real CPC data, and conversion goal management. These would take weeks to replicate as scripts.
Frequently asked questions
Can burn-r8 replace Google Ads Scripts?
For most automation tasks, yes. burn-r8 provides 65 pre-built tools covering campaigns, keywords, bidding, reporting, and auditing. Instead of writing JavaScript, you describe what you want in natural language through any MCP client like Claude Code or Cursor.
Are Google Ads Scripts free?
Yes, Scripts are free to use. However, they require JavaScript knowledge, ongoing maintenance as Google's API changes, and have a 30-minute execution time limit. burn-r8 starts at $10/mo but requires no coding and handles API versioning automatically.
Does burn-r8 support scheduled automations like Scripts?
burn-r8 runs interactively through MCP clients rather than on a schedule. You trigger tools in real-time through natural language. For scheduled tasks, Google Ads Scripts still have an advantage, though burn-r8 tools can be called programmatically via the MCP protocol.
Try burn-r8 free
50 free tool calls/mo. Open source. No credit card.
Pricing as of April 2026.