If you're wondering how much do TikTok ads cost, here's the short version: you can technically start at $20/day per ad group, but the real-world floor to get useful data is more like $50-$70/day. TikTok's algorithm needs volume to learn, and starving it just gives you slow, noisy results.
The numbers you'll actually see
For most local and small-business advertisers, expect a CPM (cost per thousand views) in the $6-$12 range and CPC (cost per click) somewhere between $0.50 and $2.00. Lead-generation campaigns often land at $15-$40 per lead depending on your offer and how good the video is.
Those are ranges, not promises. A boring product with a weak video can blow past $60 a lead. A genuinely fun 15-second clip that stops the scroll can beat $10. On TikTok the creative matters more than the targeting.
Minimum spend rules
- Campaign level: $50/day minimum
- Ad group level: $20/day minimum
- Realistic learning budget: $1,500-$3,000/month to give it a fair shot
Who TikTok actually works for
TikTok is discovery, not intent. Nobody opens the app to hire a plumber. That makes it great for visual, impulse, or broad-appeal businesses — med spas, salons, restaurants, boutique fitness, anything with a before/after. It's a hard sell for emergency trades where Google search ads for plumbers will almost always convert better because you're catching people who already need you.
What eats your budget
The single biggest cost driver is creative fatigue. TikTok ads burn out fast — sometimes in 5-7 days. If you run one video forever, your CPM climbs and results tank. Budget for 3-5 fresh videos a month, minimum.
The second is thinking of it as TV. Polished, ad-looking videos underperform native, phone-shot clips almost every time.
Is it worth it for you?
If you sell something visual with a clear before/after and a decent margin, TikTok can produce cheap awareness and leads. If you're a trade or a high-consideration service, spend there second, after search is working. We lay out how we split budgets across channels in how Arbor runs your ads, and you can browse more growth guides if you're comparing platforms.
Bottom line: plan for at least $1,500/month and a steady stream of short, native videos. TikTok rewards volume and personality, not a big one-time budget.