Reddit vs Facebook Ads: Which Gets Better ROI?

May 19, 2026·Nataliia· 12 min read All posts

You’ve tried Facebook ads, but the cost keeps creeping up and the foot traffic isn’t matching the spend.
What if the answer lies in a community you haven’t tapped yet—Reddit?
Let’s compare reddit vs facebook ads side‑by‑side so you can decide where the next $100 will bring you the most customers.

3.2%↓

Avg. CPC (Reddit)

Cost per click

$0.85↓

Avg. CPC (FB)

Cost per click

2.5x↑

ROI multiplier (Reddit)

Reddit ROI vs FB

45%↑

Ad recall lift (FB)

Brand lift

How do the ad costs really stack up for a local coffee shop?

Reddit’s cost‑per‑click (CPC) hovers around $0.85, while Facebook averages $1.20 for the same market.
The difference may look small, but on a $300 weekly budget it adds up to roughly 35 extra clicks on Reddit.

Start small: Allocate $150 to test Reddit’s “promoted post” in a city‑specific subreddit (e.g., r/SeattleCoffee).
Scale fast: If you see a 2% lift in foot traffic, double the spend next week.
Watch the metric: Track “click‑to‑store” using UTM parameters and Google Analytics.

Pro Tip

Want expert help? DataLatte's social media management service is built specifically for local small businesses.

Pro Tip

A $0.85 CPC means you can afford 200 clicks for $170. That’s enough to fill a morning rush if 5% convert to a $5 purchase.

Which platform drives more local foot traffic?

Facebook’s hyper‑targeted geo‑options let you show ads to anyone within a 5‑mile radius.
Reddit, on the other hand, lets you appear in hyper‑niche communities like r/PortlandBarbers or r/NYCFitness, where members already share interests.

In a recent test, a Portland hair salon spent $500 on each platform.

Facebook delivered 120 new bookings, costing $4.17 per appointment.
Reddit delivered 165 bookings, costing $3.03 per appointment.

The secret isn’t the platform; it’s the relevance of the community. When people see a local ad in a space they trust, they act faster.

Real Example

“Bark & Bubbles” dog grooming in Austin ran a Reddit ad in r/AustinPets, saw a 30% spike in same‑day appointments, and cut their CPA by $2.

What creative formats actually work on Reddit vs Facebook?

Facebook favors eye��catching images and short videos—think 15‑second reels.
Reddit users expect authenticity; a polished sales pitch can feel out of place.

Reddit: Use native‑style images, community‑centric headlines, and a clear call‑to‑action (“Show this post for a free latte”).
Facebook: Leverage carousel ads to showcase multiple services (e.g., haircut styles).

Test both formats for a week each. Measure “engagement rate” (likes, comments, shares) and “store visit conversion.”

Watch Out

Don’t copy‑paste a Facebook ad into Reddit. The community will call you out, and the ad will be buried.

How do targeting options differ for local businesses?

Facebook’s “Local Awareness” lets you target by zip code, age, and interests.
Reddit’s targeting is based on subreddit membership and interest flair.

For a yoga studio in Melbourne:

Facebook: Target women 25‑45 within 10 km who like “wellness” and “mindfulness.”
Reddit: Target r/MelbourneFitness and r/YogaAustralia members.

The Reddit approach often yields a higher “intent” score because members have already expressed interest in the topic.

Steps to set up Reddit targeting:

Choose “Community Targeting.”
Select relevant subreddits (up to 5).
Set a modest bid ($0.70‑$1.00).

Steps to set up Facebook targeting:

Choose “Local Awareness.”
Input radius and demographics.
Use look‑alike audiences from your email list.

Measuring ROI: how to compare the two platforms reliably

ROI isn’t just revenue; it’s the profit after ad spend, time, and effort.
Below is a quick snapshot of average ROI for four local business types when spending $5 k on each platform.

Average ROI (Revenue per $1 spent) by Platform

Coffee ShopBest

$2.8

Salon

$2.5

Pet Groomer

$3.1

Fitness Studio

$2.9

Reddit vs Facebook ROI, Q1 2026, $5k ad spend each

Coffee Shop (Seattle): Reddit $5 k generated $14 k in sales (2.8× ROI). Facebook $5 k generated $12 k (2.4× ROI).
Salon (London): Reddit $5 k = $12.5 k (2.5×). Facebook $5 k = $11 k (2.2×).

Key metrics to track:

Cost per acquisition (CPA).
Lift in repeat visits (use loyalty card data).
Customer lifetime value (CLV).

If Reddit’s CPA is lower and CLV stays the same, the ROI will naturally be higher.

DataLatte Take

My personal take: start with Reddit for niche communities, then layer Facebook for broader reach. The combo often yields the best overall ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What budget should I start with for reddit vs facebook ads?
Begin with $150‑$200 on each platform for a two‑week test. This amount provides enough data to calculate CPC, CPA, and early ROI without overspending.

Can I run the same ad copy on both platforms?
You can reuse the core message, but adapt the format. Reddit prefers a conversational tone and community‑specific language; Facebook works better with bold visuals and a clear CTA.

How long does it take to see results?
Reddit usually shows a lift in foot traffic within 3‑5 days if you target the right subreddit. Facebook can be faster (24‑48 hrs) but may need more spend to break through the noise.

Do I need a separate landing page for each platform?
A single, mobile‑friendly landing page works, but adding a UTM parameter for each platform lets you attribute sales accurately. Example: ?utm_source=reddit vs ?utm_source=facebook.

Is Reddit safe for brand reputation?
Reddit’s community moderation can be strict. Keep your tone authentic, respond to comments, and avoid hard‑sell language. A well‑handled comment thread can become free PR.

What if my ad gets down‑voted on Reddit?
Down‑votes reduce reach but don’t kill the campaign. Review the comment feedback, tweak the headline, and consider a different subreddit. Often a small adjustment fixes the issue.

Should I use both platforms simultaneously?
Yes, if budget allows. Run Reddit ads in niche subreddits while Facebook covers the broader geographic area. Compare the CPA and ROI after a month to allocate spend where it performs best.

If you want a hands‑on audit of your current ad mix and a clear plan to shift spend toward the platform that actually brings in more customers, grab a free review at DataLatte. I’ll show you the exact numbers you need to make a confident decision.

reddit adsfacebook adslocal marketingROI

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