# TikTok ads vs Meta ads

> Meta reaches India. TikTok is blocked there, so it only helps for other markets. Budget minimums checked 20 Oct 2026, a split example and how to choose.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-01
- **Category**: Channels
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-compare/tiktok-ads-vs-meta-ads

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If you sell in India, run Meta ads. TikTok has been blocked in India since June 2020, so TikTok ads cannot reach Indian users. If you sell in the Gulf or other markets where TikTok works, test both. Meta is the steadier base. TikTok's published minimum is above $50 a day for a campaign, and it recommends vertical video.

## The India rule

India blocked TikTok in June 2020. In August 2025, TikTok said it had not regained access, and an IT Ministry official said the government had not revoked the ban ([TechCrunch, 22 Aug 2025](https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/22/tiktok-denies-india-comeback-after-reports-of-website-going-live)). We found no newer official statement. Check the news before you plan, since this could change.

## Side by side

| | Meta ads (Facebook, Instagram) | TikTok ads |
|---|---|---|
| Works for Indian audiences | Yes | No, blocked |
| Where ads run | Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Audience Network | TikTok, plus the TikTok Ad Network and Global App Bundle apps |
| Main creative | Image, carousel, video, Reels | Video, image and carousel ads. Vertical 9:16 video is recommended |
| Minimum budget | No single figure on Meta's page. Ads Manager flags a budget that is too low. Meta suggests starting with at least USD 5 | Campaign above $50 a day, ad group above $20 a day |
| Research tool | Meta Ad Library | TikTok Creative Center |

Budget figures are from [Meta's minimum budgets page](https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/help/203183363050448), [Meta's ads pricing overview](https://www.facebook.com/business/ads/pricing) and [TikTok's budget page](https://ads.tiktok.com/resources/help/article/budget?lang=en) (checked 20 Oct 2026). Meta says its minimum depends on your vertical, budget type, buying type, bid strategy, optimisation, currency and schedule. Its pricing overview suggests starting with at least USD 5 and running for more than six days. With a cost per result goal, Meta says the daily budget should be at least five times the goal. TikTok states its rule in US dollars: a campaign-level budget must be above $50, and an ad group's daily budget above $20.

## What the budget rule means

Say you want to test TikTok for 30 days with a campaign-level budget.

- A budget just above $50 a day is about $1,500 for the month.
- Each ad group inside it needs a daily budget above $20, so $50 a day funds two ad groups at most.

Ads Manager alerts you when a budget is below Meta's minimum. Set your goal and budget there before you split a small budget across ad sets. An ad set also needs enough budget to get results, so aim well above the minimum and give each test at least seven days.

## A worked example: a Gulf brand

Say a skincare brand sells in the UAE and spends $3,000 a month.

| Plan | Meta | TikTok |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 test | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Purchases | 30 | 17 |
| Cost per purchase | $50 | $88 |

These numbers are made up. TikTok costs more per purchase here, so you keep it small, and watch whether its buyers come back to buy again. You then try three new hooks on TikTok in month 2 before you decide. A short, strong first second matters on both. Read [hook rate](/glossary/hook-rate) and [static ads vs video ads](/compare/static-ads-vs-video-ads).

## How to choose

1. **Selling in India:** Meta (and Google). See [Meta ads vs Google ads](/compare/meta-ads-vs-google-ads).
2. **Selling in the Gulf or other open markets:** Meta first, TikTok as a test.
3. **Product that sells by demonstration:** TikTok is worth testing, because video shows it.
4. **Small budget:** Check Meta's minimum in Ads Manager first. TikTok needs above $50 a day for a campaign, about $1,500 a month.

## Research before you spend

Study what runs first. Use the Meta Ad Library for Meta, and TikTok Creative Center for TikTok. [Meta Ad Library vs TikTok Creative Center](/compare/meta-ad-library-vs-tiktok-creative-center) compares them. For a hands-on guide, read [how to use TikTok Creative Center](/guides/how-to-use-tiktok-creative-center).

## FAQ

### Can I run TikTok ads in India?

No. TikTok is blocked in India, so its ads cannot reach Indian users. Use Meta or Google for Indian audiences.

### What are the minimum budgets?

Meta's help page gives no single figure, and Ads Manager flags a budget that is too low for your ad set. TikTok's published minimums are above $50 a day for a campaign and above $20 a day for an ad group.

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