Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads CTR Benchmarks for Software Development

See how your CTR stacks up. Explore industry, regional, and campaign-type benchmarks with Superads.

CTR (Click Through Rate) for Software Development

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Executive summary

This analysis looks at click-through-rate trends for industry Software Development and target country All countries available compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

  • Overall level: The selected segment averages 1.31% click-through-rate (CTR) versus a 1.81% global baseline — about 27% below market.
  • Seasonality: CTRs dip in December, then climb steadily from spring through August before a sharp September pullback. The market baseline also rises into late summer, peaking in September.
  • Volatility: Month-to-month moves are higher in the selected data (average absolute change 0.14pp) than the baseline (0.05pp), driven by a large September drop.
  • Direction of travel: From October 2024 to September 2025, the selected CTR falls 36.9%, while the baseline rises 20.1%, widening the gap.

Selected segment trends

  • Average, highs, lows:
  • Average CTR: 1.31%
  • High: 1.55% in August 2025
  • Low: 0.81% in September 2025
  • Range: 0.73 percentage points
  • Trajectory:
  • Q4 2024 shows a November uptick (1.39%) followed by a December dip to 1.20% (-0.19pp, -13% MoM).
  • Gradual recovery in Q1 (1.26% in January, 1.20% in February) and a steady climb from March through August (+0.34pp from February to August).
  • A notable September correction to 0.81% (-0.73pp, -47% MoM).
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute month-to-month change: 0.14pp (0.08pp excluding the September drop).
  • Six months above the period average (Apr–Aug, plus November), six months below.

Comparison to the global baseline

  • Baseline summary:
  • Average CTR: 1.81%
  • High: 2.12% in September 2025
  • Low: 1.67% in February 2025
  • Range: 0.44 percentage points
  • Pattern: Slight softening into February, then a consistent rise from May to September.
  • Relative positioning:
  • The selected Software Development CTR is below the global average every month.
  • Narrowest gap appears in April–June, when the selected segment reaches ~80% of the market level (e.g., June: 1.48% vs. 1.84%).
  • Largest gap occurs in September (0.81% vs. 2.12%), where the selected segment is 62% below market.
  • Dynamics:
  • While the market steadily strengthens into late summer (Aug–Sep), the selected segment peaks in August and diverges sharply in September.

Seasonal patterns and notable moves

  • Q4: Both series soften into December; the selected segment’s December decline (-0.19pp) is more pronounced than the baseline’s cumulative Oct–Dec easing (-3.9%).
  • Spring–Summer: A consistent ascent for the selected segment from March to August (+28.6% from February), mirroring the market’s May–September build.
  • Standout months:
  • April: +0.13pp (+10% MoM) for the selected segment.
  • August: Peak at 1.55% for the selected segment; the market continues to rise into September.
  • September: Sharp selected drop (-0.73pp), creating the widest divergence from the global trend.

Understanding click-through-rate benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and All countries available helps advertisers make more efficient budget and creative choices.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Click-Through Rate (CTR) is the percentage of impressions that resulted in a click on the Facebook ad. In the Software Development industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. Geographic targeting affects ad costs based on market competition and user engagement in different regions. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. 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. 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.

Optimize Smarter with Superads

Improve your Facebook ad performance

Instant performance insights – See which ads, audiences, and creatives drive results.

Data-driven creative decisions – Spot patterns to improve ROAS.

Effortless reporting – No spreadsheets, just clear insights.

Get Started for free →

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.

What is CTR and why does it matter for Facebook ads?

CTR (Click-Through Rate) is the percentage of people who click your ad after seeing it. It's calculated by dividing total clicks by total impressions, then multiplying by 100. A high CTR indicates your ad resonates with your audience and helps improve your relevance score, which can lower your overall costs.

What's the average CTR for Facebook ads in 2025?

The average Facebook ad CTR across industries sits around 0.90-1.10%. But there's significant variation. Your specific industry, audience targeting, and campaign objectives should determine your benchmark.

Why is my Facebook ad CTR consistently low?

Low CTR usually stems from poor audience targeting, weak creative, or a disconnect between your ad content and audience needs. Your ad might simply not be standingo out enough. Check if your visuals grab attention, your copy addresses clear pain points, and your audience targeting aligns with people genuinely interested in your offer.

Is CTR still a reliable metric for ad performance in 2025?

Yes—but only in context. High CTR is a signal that your creative works, but it doesn't guarantee conversions. Use it alongside other metrics like conversion rate to get the full picture.