Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Manufacturing

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

Cost Per App Install for Manufacturing

July 2025 - July 2026

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Introduction — main story in plain language

Across the 13-month window from June 2025 to June 2026, the cost per app install (CPI) in the Manufacturing sample moved from about $18.36 down to $11.85, but the year was punctuated by a dramatic spike in February 2026. 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 Manufacturing in All countries available compared to the global benchmark.

The story in the data

The headline: average cost per app install sat near $15.55 over the period, with a low of $9.34 in December 2025 and a high of $30.13 in February 2026. The series opened at $18.36 (Jun‑2025) and finished at $11.85 (Jun‑2026), a net decline of roughly 35.5% from start to finish. Monthly moves were large — the average absolute month‑to‑month change was about $5.5, roughly 36% of the period mean, indicating elevated volatility.

Notable swings: a steep early drop from June to July (down ~46%), a trough in December (about 40% below the period mean), then a sharp rebound into January. February produced the standout outlier: CPI jumped ~135% month‑over‑month (Jan → Feb), topping at $30.13 before collapsing ~45% the following month (Feb → Mar). Outside that spike, the series oscillated in the mid‑teens with periodic softening (Oct–Dec) and intermittent recoveries (Jan–Apr).

Seasonal and monthly dynamics

There’s a clear seasonal rhythm: softer CPI readings clustered around mid‑year and late‑year (notably July and December), while the Q1 window showed rebound behavior. December was the lowest month, followed by a January uptick and the anomalous February surge. April and May returned to more moderate levels ($19.32 and $14.32 respectively), with June 2026 ending the window on the lower side at $11.85. In narrative terms: pockets of softness through Q3–Q4 gave way to an early‑year lift, then normalization.

When viewed alongside common cadence in performance marketing metrics (CPC trends, CPM analysis and CTR performance), the Manufacturing CPI series recorded sharper, less predictable swings than many engagement metrics—its month‑to‑month amplitude exceeded what is typical for click or impression price series in the same timeframe.

Country vs. global

Selected data for Manufacturing in All countries available is represented here by the baseline series provided; there is no separate country‑level series to contrast against a distinct global baseline in this input. As presented, the Manufacturing CPI trajectory functions as the reference benchmark: it shows periods both above and below typical market medians and demonstrates higher volatility than many CPC trends and CPM analysis panels. Compared to the broader set of ad metrics (including CTR performance), cost‑per‑app‑install demonstrated larger relative swings, especially around the February 2026 peak.

Closing

Understanding Cost Per App Install benchmarks for Manufacturing in All countries available offers a clear view of elevated volatility across the year and a pronounced early‑2026 spike within Facebook Ads benchmarks, useful for reading CPI behavior alongside CPC trends, CPM analysis and CTR performance for industry ad performance and country‑specific ad costs.

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 Manufacturing 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.

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.

Optimize Smarter with Superads

Improve your Facebook ad performance

Instant performance insights – See which ads, audiences, and creatives drive results.

Data-driven creative decisions – Spot patterns to improve ROAS.

Effortless reporting – No spreadsheets, just clear insights.

Get Started for free →

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.