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Facebook Ads Cost Per Lead Benchmarks for Software Development in Germany

See how your CPL compares. Explore lead generation cost benchmarks by industry, region, and campaign type

Cost Per Lead for Software Development in Germany

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

COST_PER_LEAD benchmarks: Software Development in Germany vs global

Main takeaways

  • Across October 2024 to August 2025, Germany’s Software Development cost-per-lead (CPL) averaged 34.12, about 8.9% below the global baseline (37.44), indicating below-market CPL overall.
  • Volatility was high in Germany: average month-to-month movement was ~18.0, roughly 5x the global baseline (~3.59). The local range was wide (10.91 to 52.73) compared with the baseline’s tighter 31.12 to 41.58.
  • Seasonal patterns diverged from global norms. The global trend showed a Q4 uptick (Nov–Dec), while Germany dipped sharply in December (10.91) before spiking in January (52.73).
  • Over the period, Germany trended down from 51.96 in October 2024 to 29.44 in August 2025 (-43.3%), while the baseline rose from 31.12 to 37.03 (+19.0%).

This analysis looks at cost-per-lead trends for industry Software Development and target country Germany compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

Germany (selected data) overview

  • Timeframe: October 2024 to August 2025.
  • Average CPL: 34.12.
  • High: 52.73 in January 2025.
  • Low: 10.91 in December 2024.
  • Volatility: average month-to-month absolute change ~18.0; largest swings:
  • December 2024 → January 2025: +41.82 (sharp rebound).
  • November → December 2024: -31.95 (notable dip).
  • March → April 2025: +29.54 (strong lift).
  • Trend: Downward overall from October 2024 to August 2025 (-43.3%). Mid-year levels stabilized lower (May–August ranged 22.12 to 30.44).

Global baseline comparison

  • Overlapping period average (Oct 2024–Aug 2025): 37.44.
  • High: 41.58 in November 2024; Low: 31.12 in October 2024.
  • Volatility: much lower than Germany (~3.59 average monthly change).
  • Trend: Gradual increase from 31.12 in October 2024 to 37.03 in August 2025 (+19.0%), with a typical Q4 lift (November–December).

Relative positioning and monthly highlights

  • Germany vs baseline: below market on average (-8.9%).
  • Months above baseline: 5 of 11 (October, November, January, February, April).
  • Notable deviations:
  • December 2024: Germany 10.91 vs baseline 39.63 (≈72.5% below baseline; outsized seasonal dip).
  • January 2025: Germany 52.73 vs baseline 35.54 (≈48% above baseline; sharp seasonal spike).
  • Q2–Q3 2025: CPL in Germany consistently below global levels:
  • May: ≈23% below baseline.
  • June: ≈25% below baseline.
  • July: ≈43% below baseline.
  • August: ≈21% below baseline.

Seasonal patterns

  • Global: CPL typically rises in Q4 around holiday periods (visible in November–December).
  • Germany (Software Development): deviation from global pattern with a December drop and January spike; thereafter, CPL moderates and remains below the baseline through summer.

Understanding cost-per-lead benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and Germany helps advertisers make more efficient budget and creative choices.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. In the Software Development industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. For campaigns targeting Germany, advertisers should consider local market factors and user behavior. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

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The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

Germany Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 21Easter Monday
May 1Labour Day
May 29Ascension Day
Jun 9Whit Monday
Oct 3German Unity Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday), Christmas shopping (late December), Back-to-school (August/September), Spring promotions (Easter period)

Potential Advertising Impact

Media consumption might rise during Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost, especially for travel campaigns. Late November and December bring pronounced spikes in retail advertising. German Unity Day often triggers localized campaigns. Regional holidays may create unique local competition. Sunday/holiday retail restrictions may contract ad inventory.

What is considered a good cost per lead on Facebook in 2025?

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.

Why is my CPL higher than industry averages?

Your CPL could be high due to weak creative, irrelevant targeting, or an offer that doesn't resonate. Low engagement or poor conversion rates on your landing page can also drive up costs.

Does campaign objective impact CPL?

Yes. Campaigns optimized for conversions or leads tend to generate cheaper and more qualified leads compared to traffic or engagement objectives. Facebook needs clear signals to find the right users.

How can I generate leads at a lower cost without hurting lead quality?

Focus on improving your offer, targeting the right audience, and using high-converting creative. Test native lead forms, but make sure you're still qualifying users properly.

Should I optimize for leads or conversions if my goal is pipeline growth?

If your goal is sales or revenue, optimizing for deeper funnel conversions is better. Optimizing for leads alone can inflate volume but hurt quality.