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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Finance

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Cost Per App Install for Finance

November 2024 - November 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Introduction

Finance app install costs spent most of the year moving in a manageable band before an extraordinary Q4 surge reset the narrative. Across all countries, the Finance industry’s cost per app install (CPI) tracked close to the global benchmark through late summer, then spiked dramatically in October–November 2025, lifting the annual average well above the market. The jump was far steeper than typical Q4 competition, creating a year defined by a late-stage breakout.

This analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks. This analysis explores ad performance trends for the Finance industry across all countries compared to the global benchmark.

The story in the data

The period opens at $24.46 in November 2024 and closes at $199.07 in November 2025—an increase of roughly 714%. The series bottoms at $6.05 in January (the low), climbs to an early peak of $33.11 in April, then settles into a $10–20 range through September before an 11x month-over-month surge to $189.33 in October and a further +5% lift in November (the high).

Averages reflect the two-speed year: Finance CPI averaged $44.68 across the full period, but excluding October–November it averaged $17.50. By comparison, the global benchmark averaged $15.91. Month-to-month volatility in Finance averaged $21.78, inflated by the October jump; excluding that outlier, average monthly movement was $8.13. The benchmark was steadier at $6.29 average monthly change.

Key monthly swings:

  • December nudged up (+2%) before a steep January reset (−76% vs. December).
  • A February rebound (+149% vs. January) and a March drift (+5%) culminated in April’s +110% jump to $33.11.
  • May to August softened broadly (−40%, −39%, +12%, then −26%).
  • September recovered to $17.37 (+71%), then October exploded (+990% vs. September) with a modest November follow-through (+5%).

Seasonal and monthly dynamics

Seasonality shows a classic Q1 trough, a spring lift, and softer summer. April was the strongest pre-Q4 month, while August marked the summer low at $10.15. The year’s defining move came late: Q4 typically tightens as competition rises, yet Finance CPI’s leap in October–November 2025 far exceeded the market’s usual year-end uptick, turning a mostly mid-teens year into a high-cost finish.

Country vs. Global

Against the global Facebook Ads benchmarks, Finance was mixed for most of the year, then decisively above market in Q4:

  • Pre-spike average: Finance $17.50 vs. global $15.36 (+14%).
  • Full-period average: Finance $44.68 vs. global $15.91 (inflated by Q4).
  • The gap ranged from 56% below market (June: $12.14 vs. $27.90) to 1,060% above (November: $199.07 vs. $17.18).
  • Near parity appeared in July (Finance $13.64 vs. $12.24, +11%), while other months oscillated between modestly above (e.g., February +17%, May +64%) and below (August −49%, September −24%) the benchmark.
  • Trendwise, the global series was comparatively steady (−2% from November to November), while Finance was much choppier, ending far above market.

Closing

Taken together, these Facebook Ads benchmarks show a Finance CPI that held close to market levels for much of the year but finished with a dramatic Q4 escalation across all countries. Understanding cost-per-app-install dynamics—and how they intersect with broader CPC trends, CPM analysis, and CTR performance—helps position Finance industry ad performance within global, country-agnostic ad costs and year-round rhythms.

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 Finance industry, Facebook ad costs can be typically higher due to high competition and valuable conversions. 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.