Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for E-commerce

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

Cost Per App Install for E-commerce

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads benchmarks summary: cost per app install

This analysis looks at cost per app install trends for industry E-commerce and target country All countries available compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

Main takeaways

  • Overall level: E-commerce across All countries available averaged 24.22 per install, about 106% above the global baseline (11.74). However, excluding two outlier spikes (Nov 2024 and May 2025), the E-commerce average was 10.56—broadly in line with the global trend.
  • Volatility: Month-to-month median change was high at 59% for E-commerce versus 47% for the baseline. Average absolute change was 192% vs 62% respectively, driven by two large swings in the selected series.
  • Seasonality: A sharp surge in November (Q4) aligns with typical holiday-period inflation. The series bottoms in January, then shows another spike in May. The global baseline also rises into June before easing in July.
  • Relative positioning: E-commerce was above market in 5 of 11 months (notably November and May) and below market in 6 months (notably February and June). From the first to last observed month, E-commerce rose 93.6% vs a 142.1% rise in the baseline.

E-commerce (All countries available): trend highlights

  • Average: 24.22; range: 6.03 (Jan 2025) to 123.96 (Nov 2024).
  • Start vs end: 10.23 (Oct 2024) to 19.81 (Aug 2025), up 93.6%.
  • Notable spikes/dips:
  • Nov 2024: +1,112% month over month to 123.96 (Q4 holiday period).
  • Dec 2024: -91% vs November, normalizing to 11.09.
  • May 2025: +412% vs April to 47.45.
  • Jun 2025: -67% vs May; Aug 2025: +89% vs July.
  • Volatility: Median month-to-month absolute change 59%; average absolute change 192% (inflated by Nov and May).

Global baseline comparison

  • Average: 11.74; range: 6.20 (Oct 2024) to 26.21 (Jun 2025).
  • Start vs end: 6.20 (Oct 2024) to 15.00 (Aug 2025), up 142.1%.
  • Notable moves:
  • Nov 2024: +131% vs October.
  • Jun 2025: +151% vs May (peak), followed by -53% in July.
  • Volatility: Median month-to-month absolute change 46.6%; average absolute change 61.7%.

How E-commerce compares to the global trend

  • Above market months: Oct (+65%), Nov (+768%), Dec (+30%), May (+355%), Aug (+32%).
  • Below market months: Jan (-5%), Feb (-43%), Mar (-11%), Apr (-20%), Jun (-41%), Jul (-15%).
  • Perspective: The E-commerce series is generally in line with overall trends when excluding November and May outliers. The most pronounced divergence occurs in November (Q4 holiday spike) and May (mid-year surge), whereas February and June track below the global level.

Seasonal patterns to note

  • Q4 uplift: Costs typically increase in Q4 around holiday periods; November shows the clearest surge in E-commerce.
  • Early-year trough: January marks the lowest point for E-commerce.
  • Mid-year movement: A May spike in E-commerce and a June peak in the baseline indicate elevated mid-year costs before settling in July.

Understanding COST_PER_APP_INSTALL benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry E-commerce and All countries available 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 E-commerce industry, Facebook ad costs can be varied, with peaks during holiday seasons and competitive product categories. Geographic targeting affects ad costs based on market competition and user engagement in different regions. 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.

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.