Cost per inquiry, side by side
We compare the result closest to a real enquiry on each platform: someone starting a private message with the business.
| Platform | Cost per private-message inquiry | Data behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook & Instagram | RM7.05 average (RM2.70 – 17.70 by industry) | 9 Johor Bahru brands, Apr–Sep 2026, 33,530 inquiries |
| TikTok | RM7.26 per chat (lead forms: RM3.43 – 3.75) | Hair salon Jun 2026; car-mat brand Aug–Sep 2026 |
| XiaoHongShu (Juguang) | ¥28 – 51, about RM18 – 32 | 2 accounts, Aug–Sep 2026 |
Source: Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager and Juguang dashboards of Ventopia-managed accounts. XiaoHongShu converted at RM1 = ¥1.6. Ranges are what we saw, not a guarantee.
Why the cheapest lead is not always the best
- A TikTok lead-form lead (RM3.43–3.75) is cheaper than a chat, but someone filling in a form is usually less ready to buy than someone who messages you.
- XiaoHongShu costs more per message, but its users are Chinese-speaking shoppers who search and read reviews before they buy. Of the 396 people who messaged one of our Juguang accounts in August 2026, 140 left a phone number or WeChat ID.
- Facebook’s cost depends heavily on the industry: home cleaning paid RM2.70–3.40 per inquiry, a paint and flooring contractor RM14.50–17.70.
Compare platforms on cost per customer, not only cost per inquiry: track how many inquiries from each platform actually book or buy.
Minimum budget for each platform
| Platform | What we suggest to start | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook & Instagram | RM1,500 a month (our smallest account runs on about RM600) | Meta |
| TikTok | About RM3,000 a month (RM559 bought one salon 77 chats) | TikTok |
| XiaoHongShu (Juguang) | Platform minimum ¥100 a day, about RM1,900 a month; enterprise blue tick needed first | XiaoHongShu, topped up in RMB |
Ad budget is separate from agency fees. Juguang top-up rate RM1 = ¥1.6.
What Ventopia charges for each
- Facebook & Instagram: RM3,000 a month, or RM5,000 a month with one professional shoot.
- XiaoHongShu: RM3,000 a month without shooting, RM5,000 with shooting. The enterprise blue tick is RM2,500 one-off, with a full refund if it fails (13 of 13 approved so far).
- TikTok: RM6,888 a month for service and personal brands, or RM3,888 a month plus a KPI-based commission for product sellers.
Prices exclude 8% SST. Ad budget is paid to the platform. There is no lock-in contract by default; a longer contract can be discussed if you want one.
Which platform suits your business?
| If you… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Want WhatsApp inquiries at the lowest cost, for a local service (cleaning, salon, workshop) | Facebook & Instagram |
| Sell to Chinese-speaking customers who research first (F&B, beauty, renovation, wedding venues, fashion) | XiaoHongShu |
| Sell products online and want to measure results in sales | TikTok Shop with GMV Max (our sportswear client: ROI 3.53–3.90) |
| Want short videos and LIVE selling to move stock | TikTok |
Full cost guides for each platform
Facebook ad cost by industry.
How much do Facebook ads cost in Malaysia? →XiaoHongShu Juguang ads: minimum spend, top-up and cost per lead.
XiaoHongShu Juguang ads guide →TikTok cost by goal, GMV Max and LIVE.
How much do TikTok ads cost in Malaysia? →