See how your app install costs compare. Explore mobile acquisition cost benchmarks by industry, region, and platform
January 2025 - January 2026
Detailed observation of presented data
Global Cost per App Install (CPI) for Hardware and Networking shows a year defined by troughs in Q1, a dramatic midsummer spike, and a steady lift into Q4. The period opens at $10.62 in December 2024 and closes at $17.03 in December 2025—up roughly 60% year over year. The standout moment is June 2025, when CPI surges to $23.76 before resetting, then settling into mid‑teens through year-end. Volatility is material: the average month-to-month swing is about $4.10, nearly 30% of the annual mean.
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 Hardware and Networking in all countries (global aggregate) compared to the global benchmark.
Across the 13-month window, Hardware and Networking CPI averages about $13.85. The low arrives in January 2025 at $7.07, following December’s $10.62 starting point. February rebounds to $11.63, March softens to $8.92, and April lifts to $13.51. May holds near that level at $12.32, then June spikes to $23.76—the period’s peak and a near-doubling from May (+$11.43, ≈+93%).
After June’s high-water mark, July retraces sharply to $10.79 (−$12.97, ≈−55%), and the market then stabilizes: August posts $15.98, September edges to $16.11 (+$0.13, the smallest monthly move), October rises to $16.64, November eases to $15.66, and December closes at $17.03. The second half averages $15.37 versus $12.87 in the first half—a lift of roughly 19%.
Key markers:
Seasonality is clear. Q1 exhibits the softest CPIs, averaging about $9.21—typical of lower competition following holiday peaks. Q2 turns mixed but is defined by June’s outsized spike. Q3 finds a new equilibrium in the mid‑teens, and Q4 holds slightly higher, averaging roughly $16.45, with October–December clustered in a narrow band ($15.66–$17.03).
The rhythm of the year features two distinct phases: choppy movements through June, including the year’s largest up-and-down swings, followed by a steadier cadence from August onward, where month-to-month changes compress and CPIs consolidate in the mid‑teens.
Because this view aggregates all countries, the series effectively tracks the global benchmark for Facebook Ads benchmarks in Hardware and Networking. Level differences versus “global” are therefore negligible by construction, and the more meaningful comparison is within-period dynamics. The curve matches familiar global patterns seen in CPC trends, CPM analysis, and CTR performance: softer engagement costs in early Q1, intensified competition around midyear (with an exceptional June peak), and a firming in Q4 as advertiser demand remains elevated.
At its calmest, the gap between months is nearly flat (August to September, +$0.13). At its widest, swings exceed $11–$13 from one month to the next (May to June; June to July), underscoring higher-than-usual volatility around midyear in this industry’s app acquisition costs.
In summary, Facebook Ads Cost per App Install benchmarks for Hardware and Networking worldwide show a low-cost Q1, a sharp June spike, and a stable mid‑teens finish through Q4. Understanding CPI movement for Hardware and Networking across all countries helps advertisers contextualize country-specific ad costs and compare industry ad performance to global patterns.
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 Hardware and Networking industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. 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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover detailed cost benchmarks for different Facebook advertising metrics:
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Cost per thousand impressions across different markets
Benchmark click-through rates for Facebook ads
Cost per lead across different markets
Average cost per purchase benchmarks across industries
See how much it costs to get users to install an app