Compare lead generation cost benchmarks by industry, region, and campaign type.
October 2025 - September 2026
Benchmark observations based on the selected data
The main story: cost-per-lead (CPL) for Software Development across all countries available was far more volatile than the global benchmark, punctuated by extreme troughs in late 2025 and sharp spikes in Oct 2025 and spring 2026. Overall levels averaged materially above the baseline, but the month-to-month rhythm swung between single‑digit CPLs and a five‑hundred dollar outlier. This analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks. This analysis explores ad performance trends for Software Development in All countries available compared to the global benchmark.
Across the 12‑month window (Jul 2025–Jun 2026) Software Development CPLs averaged about $95.3, ranging from a low near $1.47 in January 2026 to a high of $517.49 in October 2025. By comparison the global baseline median for the same period averaged roughly $46.0 — so the selected market ran around 107% above the benchmark on average. The series began at $72.17 in July 2025 (about 69% above the baseline July value of $42.79) and closed June 2026 at $47.0 (about 27% above the baseline June $37.07).
Notable monthly moves: a sudden lift to $517.49 in October 2025, followed by a steep decline to $11.55 in November and into single digits through January–February (Dec $2.86, Jan $1.47, Feb $3.50). A pronounced rebound appears in March–May 2026 (Mar $136.79, Apr $141.66, May $130.91) before moderating to $47.0 in June. Seven months were above the baseline and five months fell below, but the outsized spikes and troughs drive the narrative.
The rhythm here is jagged rather than smoothly seasonal. Late‑year and early‑year months showed a sharp trough (Nov–Feb) with three consecutive months under $12, then an abrupt rebound in spring. The March–May cluster resembles a strong seasonal lift, with CPLs roughly 2.5–3.5x the baseline in those months. October 2025 is an outlier spike that dwarfs typical monthly ranges. By contrast, the global benchmark displays a steadier seasonal pattern with monthly medians moving in the $37–$53 band and smaller month‑to‑month variation.
Relative to the global baseline, Software Development CPLs in All countries available were more volatile and generally higher. Average monthly absolute change for the selected series was about $117 — roughly 32 times the baseline’s average month‑to‑month absolute change (~$3.6). At its narrowest gap (June 2026) the selected CPL was about 27% above the global level; at its widest gap (October 2025) it was more than 10x the baseline. The series alternated between months well below global medians (Dec–Feb) and months substantially above (Oct, Mar–May), producing a choppier signal than the baseline.
Understanding Cost Per Lead benchmarks for Software Development across all countries available — and how they diverge from the global median — offers a data‑grounded view of industry ad performance, Facebook Ads benchmarks, CPC trends, CPM analysis, CTR performance context, and broader country‑specific ad costs dynamics.
Facebook advertising cost benchmarks
Facebook advertising costs vary by industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objective. In the Software Development industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. Geographic targeting affects ad costs through regional competition and user engagement. Campaign objectives affect costs because Facebook optimizes delivery for different goals. The data shows median values across multiple campaigns. Results can vary with ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.
A small share of campaigns has extremely high CPL values. Those outliers can inflate an average. The median is the midpoint across campaigns, so it better represents a typical result.
The data shows industry median benchmarks. Costs can vary with targeting, creative quality, and campaign optimization.
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The dataset includes over $3B in Facebook ad spend from thousands of ad accounts that use Superads to analyze and improve campaigns. Every data point is anonymized and aggregated. It does not expose an individual advertiser.
The dataset updates as new ad data is available.
A good CPL usually ranges from $10 to $50, depending on your industry and target audience. B2C offers tend to be cheaper, while B2B or high-ticket services may see CPLs over $100.
Weak creative, irrelevant targeting, or an offer that does not resonate can raise CPL. Low engagement or poor landing-page conversion rates can also increase costs.
Yes. Campaigns optimized for conversions or leads tend to generate less expensive, more qualified leads than traffic or engagement objectives. Facebook uses the optimization signal to find users.
Improve the offer, target the right audience, and use high-converting creative. Test native lead forms while continuing to qualify users.
For sales or revenue goals, optimize for deeper-funnel conversions. Optimizing for leads alone can increase volume while reducing quality.
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