CNAE codes for software development, SaaS and IT consulting in Brazil
The main CNAE code for software and IT companies in Brazil is 6201-5/01 – Desenvolvimento de programas de computador sob encomenda (Custom software development). SaaS and off-the-shelf software use 6203-1/00, customizable ERPs 6202-3/00, IT consulting 6204-0/00 and IT support 6209-1/00. To prospect this segment, search codes 6201-5/01, 6202-3/00, 6203-1/00, 6204-0/00, 6209-1/00, 6311-9/00, 6201-5/02 as both primary and secondary CNAE, keep only active CNPJs, then filter by company size and city.
CNAE codes for software and IT companies
CNAE (Classificação Nacional de Atividades Econômicas) is Brazil's official activity classification. Every company registered with a CNPJ declares one primary CNAE and any number of secondary ones. These are the CNAE 2.3 subclasses most used by software and IT companies:
| CNAE | Official description (pt) | English | When it shows up |
|---|---|---|---|
6201-5/01 | Desenvolvimento de programas de computador sob encomenda | Custom software development | Software houses, custom dev shops |
6202-3/00 | Desenvolvimento e licenciamento de programas de computador customizáveis | Customizable software development and licensing | ERPs and configurable systems |
6203-1/00 | Desenvolvimento e licenciamento de programas de computador não-customizáveis | Non-customizable software development and licensing | SaaS and off-the-shelf software |
6204-0/00 | Consultoria em tecnologia da informação | IT consulting | IT consultancies and integrators |
6209-1/00 | Suporte técnico, manutenção e outros serviços em tecnologia da informação | IT support and maintenance | IT support, MSPs and outsourcing |
6311-9/00 | Tratamento de dados, provedores de serviços de aplicação e serviços de hospedagem na internet | Data processing, application service providers and hosting | Hosting, cloud and platforms |
6201-5/02 | Web design | Web design | Website design studios |
Search primary and secondary CNAE
Many software and IT companies register their real activity as a secondary CNAE, because the CNPJ was opened under another primary activity or because they do more than one thing. Tech companies almost always combine several division-62 codes and 6311-9/00, so search all of them as primary and secondary. Filtering on the primary code alone misses part of the market.
Who sells to software and IT companies
Tech companies buy tools, infrastructure and talent, and adopt new solutions quickly.
- Cloud, observability, security and developer tools
- Technical recruiting and outsourcing
- Accounting, benefits and payroll for tech companies
- Sales and marketing tools for B2B SaaS
- Partner and reseller programs
How to build a list of software and IT companies in Brazil
- Pick the codes: start with
6201-5/01and add6202-3/00,6203-1/00,6204-0/00,6209-1/00,6311-9/00,6201-5/02depending on what you sell. - Search them as primary and secondary CNAE.
- Keep only active registrations (situação cadastral ativa) to drop unfit, suspended or closed CNPJs.
- Narrow by location (state, city, neighborhood) and company size (MEI, ME, EPP, other). Small startups (ME) buy self-service tools; EPP and above have purchasing processes and more seats.
- Keep companies with contact data (email or phone) and save the filter as a reusable segment.
- Write a segment-specific opener and track replies in a pipeline.
1Lead runs all of these filters in one search over Brazil's public company registry, and its AI suggests adjacent CNAE codes from a plain-language description such as "B2B SaaS companies with 10 to 100 employees in Florianópolis". The product interface is in Portuguese.
Qualification signals
- Primary 6203-1/00: own product (SaaS) with recurring revenue.
- Share capital and company age: separate early startups from established companies.
- Branches in other cities: an expanding operation.
How to approach this segment
Tech teams value directness and proof. Show integrations, transparent pricing and a fast trial; avoid generic messages.
Example first message (in Portuguese, with translation)
Frequently asked questions
What is the CNAE code for software development in Brazil?
6201-5/01 (custom), 6202-3/00 (customizable) or 6203-1/00 (non-customizable, such as SaaS).
Which CNAE should a SaaS company use?
Usually 6203-1/00, often with 6311-9/00 (application service providers) as secondary.
What is the CNAE code for IT consulting?
6204-0/00, IT consulting.
Where is the official CNAE table?
IBGE publishes it in the CONCLA online search, with the full hierarchy (section, division, group, class, subclass) and notes on what each code includes and excludes.