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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Design in Canada

See how your app install costs compare. Explore mobile acquisition cost benchmarks by industry, region, and platform

Cost Per App Install for Design in Canada

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads cost-per-app-install benchmarks: summary and takeaways

This analysis looks at cost-per-app-install trends for the Design industry in Canada compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

  • No observations were available for the selected segment (Design in Canada), so relative positioning versus the market (above/below average) cannot be assessed for this period.
  • Globally, cost-per-app-install averaged 12.67 over the last 12 months, rising from 6.20 in October to 22.99 in September (+271%).
  • Notable seasonality appears around Q4 (November spike), a sharp surge at the end of Q2 (June), and elevated levels late in Q3 (September).
  • Volatility was high: the average month-to-month swing was about 6.50, with the largest jump in June and the steepest decline in July.

Selected segment overview

  • Industry: Design
  • Country: Canada
  • Data coverage: No monthly data points were available for the selected segment in the provided period.
  • As a result, averages, highs/lows, and month-to-month changes for the selected segment cannot be calculated or compared.

Global baseline trend

  • Average cost-per-app-install: 12.67 across the period.
  • High: 26.21 in June.
  • Low: 6.20 in October.
  • Change from first to last month: +271% (6.20 in October to 22.99 in September).
  • Volatility: Average absolute month-to-month change of 6.50, indicating pronounced fluctuations.

Notable spikes and dips:

  • November: Jumped to 14.28 from 6.20 in October (+8.09).
  • December: Eased to 8.52, still above October.
  • February and April: Mid-quarter lifts (11.36 and 11.51).
  • June: Sharp surge to 26.21 (+15.78 vs. May) — period high.
  • July: Retrenchment to 12.35 (-13.86 vs. June).
  • September: Elevated at 22.99 (+7.99 vs. August).

Seasonality and context

  • Q4 pattern: Costs typically increase around holiday periods. In this dataset, November showed a clear spike, with December remaining above October.
  • Mid-year: A significant surge in June suggests elevated competition or demand at the end of Q2.
  • Late summer/early fall: Costs rose again into September, aligning with heightened activity in late Q3.

How the selected segment compares to the market

  • Due to the absence of observations for Design in Canada, relative positioning versus the global baseline (above market, below average, or in line with overall trends) cannot be determined for this period.
  • The global baseline provides directional expectations marketers can use for context until local/industry data becomes available.

Understanding cost-per-app-install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Design and Canada helps advertisers make more efficient budget and creative choices.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. In the Design industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. For campaigns targeting Canada, advertisers should consider local market factors and user behavior. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

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The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

Canada Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Feb (3rd Mon)Family Day
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 21Easter Monday (federal)
May (Victoria Day)Victoria Day
Jul 1Canada Day
Sep (1st Mon)Labour Day
Oct (2nd Mon)Thanksgiving
Nov 11Remembrance Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday and Cyber Monday), December (holiday shopping, Boxing Day), Back-to-school (August-September), Mother's Day (May)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM might increase during Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving. Black Friday and Cyber Monday see heightened e‑commerce bidding. December holiday period may spike ad costs. Back-to-school and Mother's Day drive retail competition. Provincial holidays might alter weekday inventory availability.

What's a good CPI for iOS vs Android in 2025?

iOS CPIs often range from $2 to $5 or more. Android is usually cheaper, between $1 and $3. Your CPI will depend on geo, creative, and optimization goal.

Why is my app install cost higher in some countries?

Some regions like the US, UK, and Canada have higher competition and stricter privacy regulations, which drive up costs. Countries with lower purchasing power typically have cheaper CPIs.

What creatives drive the lowest CPI on Facebook?

Short videos showing app benefits, UGC-style content, and localized messaging tend to perform best. Clear CTAs and fast-paced visuals help lower your CPI.

Should I optimize for installs or in-app actions?

Optimizing for installs gets volume, but optimizing for actions like signups or purchases brings higher quality users. It depends on your goals and how much post-install behavior matters.

How do I lower CPI without tanking app retention or quality?

Align your creative with the app experience, avoid misleading ads, and exclude users who already installed. You can also test lookalike audiences based on high-quality users, not just all installers.