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Hookest
Searchable swipe file of viral short-form video hooks with an MCP server
Editorially reviewedChecked Oct 2026How we review
Free plan API
Toolglade’s take
Hookest is a focused, inexpensive research tool: a searchable library of viral video openers with performance data, plus an MCP server so your AI assistant can analyze why they work. The free tier is genuinely useful on its own. It is a swipe file and analysis layer rather than a video generator, so pair it with an editor. Competitor Listening currently centers on Instagram. Filed under video as the closest category.
Should you use Hookest?
- Best for
- Short-form creators · Social media managers · Content agencies
- Not ideal for
- Teams needing a video editor · Long-form YouTube creators · Brands needing enterprise social listening
- Biggest strength
- Free library and Trend Radar
- Biggest weakness
- Does not generate or edit videos
- Pricing
- Free plan, paid from $9/month
- Top alternative
- Magic Hour · see all
Facts & pricing last checked October 2026. How we review
About Hookest
Hookest is a searchable library of viral TikTok, Reels, and Shorts hooks with performance data, competitor alerts, and an MCP server for AI-assisted hook analysis.
Hookest is a research tool for short-form video creators and marketers who want to study what makes people stop scrolling. It maintains a library of viral hooks, the first one to five seconds of top-performing TikToks, Reels, and Shorts, organized into categories such as food, cars, fashion, travel, music, and sports, with performance numbers attached to each clip. The free tier covers the hook library, Trend Radar (a Monday email of new hooks in chosen categories), and hook downloads. The Pro plan adds Competitor Listening, which alerts you when a tracked Instagram competitor post starts going viral, and an MCP server that lets Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini analyze saved hooks for curiosity gaps, relevance, and payoff. A public API is offered in Builder, Growth, and Scale tiers. Hookest also offers free hook generator tools for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts and launched on Product Hunt on September 24, 2026.
Weighing your options?See how Hookest compares to the alternatives.
TL;DR
Hookest is a low-cost research tool that catalogs viral short-form video hooks with performance data and lets AI assistants analyze them via MCP.
Company overview
Hookest is an early-stage company focused on short-form video research for creators and marketers. It tracks viral hooks daily across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.
The product launched on Product Hunt in September 2026.
Product features
Features include the hook library with category filters and view sorting, saved collections, Trend Radar weekly emails, Competitor Listening for Instagram, a Virality Hook Predictor, free hook generators, an MCP server, and a public API.
Target market
Short-form video creators, social media managers, and agencies producing Reels, TikToks, and Shorts.
Buyer personas
End users
Creators and social media managers.
Buyers
Solo creators and agency leads on Pro.
Key influencers
Creator economy and social media marketing communities.
Ideal customer profile
A creator or social media manager publishing short-form video weekly who wants data-backed hook ideas and competitor alerts.
Funding & performance
No funding information found in public sources as of this review; verify before publishing.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Free library and Trend Radar
- Real performance data per hook
- MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini
- Low 9 dollar Pro price
- Competitor viral alerts
- Free hook generator tools
Cons
- Does not generate or edit videos
- Competitor Listening focuses on Instagram
- API requires separate tiers
- Reusing clips requires care with rights
- Early-stage product
Pricing plans
Free
$0 / month
- Hook Library
- Trend Radar
- Hook downloads
Pro
$9 / month
- Everything in Free
- Competitor Listening
- MCP Server
API
Contact sales
- Public API in Builder, Growth, or Scale tiers
Key features
API
Multi-language
Integrations
Claude via MCP, ChatGPT via MCP, Gemini via MCP, Public API
Input types
search queries
Output types
video hooks, analysis, alerts
Best For
short-form content research, competitor tracking, hook ideation
Compare key features
View all alternatives →Feature
Hookest
Magic Hour
Google Veo
Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Freemium
Free plan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Free trial
No
No
No
API
Yes
Yes
Yes
Team support
No
Yes
No
Frequently asked questions
What is Hookest?+
Hookest is a searchable library of viral video hooks from TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts with real performance data.
Is Hookest free?+
Yes. The hook library, Trend Radar, and hook downloads are free.
What does Pro add?+
Pro adds Competitor Listening alerts and an MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini for 9 dollars per month.
Can I use hook clips in my videos?+
Hookest says most clips are free to download, but you should check each clip and avoid reposting footage made by others without making it your own.
Does Hookest have an API?+
Yes. A public API is available in Builder, Growth, and Scale tiers.
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