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Facebook Ads Cost Per Lead Benchmarks for Software Development in United Arab Emirates

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

Cost Per Lead for Software Development in United Arab Emirates

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Key takeaways

  • Overall level: For Software Development in the United Arab Emirates, typical Facebook Ads cost-per-lead (CPL) sits far below the global benchmark. The series median is 16.60 versus a global median of 38.47 (about 57% lower).
  • Outliers: Two extreme spikes in April (4,921.65) and May (728.61) 2025 distort the mean. Excluding these, the average CPL is 16.73, compared with a global average of 37.32.
  • Volatility: Month-to-month volatility is very high. Excluding April’s spike, the average absolute MoM change is about 102% (global: ~11%). Including April, volatility surges further.
  • Trend: From the first to the last observed month, the selected series fell 5.81%, while the global baseline rose 18.97%.
  • Seasonality: The global market shows a mild Q4 uplift (higher CPL in November), while the selected series remained well below market through Q4 and most of H1, with a short-lived February uptick and pronounced April–May spike.

Scope and context

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

Selected-data overview (Software Development, United Arab Emirates)

  • Period covered: Oct 2024 to Aug 2025 (10 months observed).
  • Average CPL: 578.41 (skewed by April and May outliers); median: 16.60.
  • High/low: High in Apr 2025 at 4,921.65; low in Aug 2025 at 4.86.
  • Change from first to last month: -5.81% (5.16 in Oct 2024 to 4.86 in Aug 2025).
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute MoM change excluding April: ~102%.
  • Including April’s jump vs March, the volatility is dominated by an exceptional spike.
  • Notable movements:
  • Feb 2025: 43.65 (temporary rise above global benchmark).
  • Apr–May 2025: exceptional spikes (4,921.65 and 728.61), followed by a sharp normalization in Jun (27.46) and a trough in Aug (4.86).

Comparison to the global baseline

  • Baseline average (same months): 37.32; median: 38.47.
  • Baseline high/low: High in Nov 2024 at 41.58; low in Oct 2024 at 31.12.
  • Baseline volatility: Average absolute MoM change ~11% (stable relative to the selected series).
  • Relative positioning:
  • Typical level (median-to-median): selected is ~57% below global.
  • Excluding April–May outliers, the selected average (16.73) is ~55% below the baseline average (37.32).
  • Monthly comparison: 7 of 10 months are below market; 3 months are above (Feb, Apr, May), with April–May being extreme outliers.

Seasonal patterns and monthly notes

  • Global seasonality: CPLs are elevated in Q4, peaking in November, and remain relatively stable across the first half of 2025 with modest fluctuations.
  • Selected series:
  • Q4 2024: Very low CPLs (5.16 in Oct; 12.49 in Nov; 7.03 in Dec), all well below global levels despite the broader Q4 uplift.
  • Early 2025: A brief rise in February (43.65, ~12% above the global 38.86), followed by a retreat in March (19.45).
  • April–May 2025: outsized spikes that diverge sharply from the market, then rapid normalization by June and a new low in August (4.86), well below the global 37.03.

Understanding cost-per-lead benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates, 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.

United Arab Emirates Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Mar 30–31Eid al-Fitr
Jun 6Arafat Day
Jun 7–9Eid al-Adha
Jul 7Islamic New Year
Sep 15Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Dec 1Commemoration Day
Dec 2–3UAE National Day

Key Shopping Season

Ramadan + Eid (Mar–Apr), End of November–December (UAE National Day, Christmas, New Year), Dubai Shopping Festival (mid-Dec through Jan)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPMs may rise sharply during Ramadan and Eid, especially in e‑commerce, gifting, F&B, and beauty sectors. UAE National Day campaigns could lead to high local bidding activity in travel, banking, and luxury retail. Dubai Shopping Festival drives elevated CPMs from mid-December to mid-January. Islamic holidays shift each year, affecting year-over-year comparisons.

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.