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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Marketplaces in Canada

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

Cost Per App Install for Marketplaces in Canada

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Key takeaways

  • This analysis looks at cost per app install trends for industry Marketplaces and target country Canada compared to the global trend, based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.
  • Marketplaces in Canada consistently ran below market versus the global baseline across every month observed (Oct 2024–Aug 2025). The average was about 4.00 per install in Canada versus 11.74 globally, or roughly 66% lower.
  • Volatility was elevated but more controlled than the global market: average month-to-month absolute change was about 48% in Canada versus 62% globally.
  • Seasonal patterns were visible in both series. The global baseline spiked in November (Q4 holidays) and again in June, while Canada showed a November uptick, a sharp December dip, and secondary peaks in April and June.

Selected data overview: Marketplaces in Canada

  • Period: Oct 2024–Aug 2025.
  • Average cost per app install: ~4.00.
  • High: 5.78 in April 2025.
  • Low: 2.34 in December 2024.
  • First-to-last change: 2.90 in October 2024 to 3.37 in August 2025, a rise of about 16%.
  • Notable spikes/dips:
  • October to November: +75% surge (2.90 → 5.09), likely aligning with early Q4 pressures.
  • November to December: -54% drop (5.09 → 2.34), an atypical relief during late Q4.
  • April peak at 5.78; June elevated at 5.76; dips followed in May and July.
  • Volatility: average absolute month-to-month movement of ~48%, with large swings around Nov–Dec, Apr–May, May–Jun, and Jun–Jul.

Comparison with the global baseline

  • Average positioning: Canada (~4.00) remained well below the global baseline (~11.74), indicating consistently below-market costs.
  • Highs and lows:
  • Global low: 6.20 in October 2024.
  • Global high: 26.21 in June 2025.
  • The Canadian high (5.78) still sat below the global low (6.20), reinforcing the below-market pattern.
  • Trend shape:
  • Global first-to-last change (Oct → Aug): +142% (6.20 → 15.00), driven by a strong Q4 lift and a major June surge.
  • Canada rose modestly by ~16% over the same window.
  • Monthly positioning vs. global:
  • Canada was below market every month. The widest gaps appeared in summer:
  • June: ~78% below global (5.76 vs. 26.21).
  • July: ~76% below (2.99 vs. 12.35).
  • August: ~78% below (3.37 vs. 15.00).
  • Volatility comparison:
  • Canada: ~48% average absolute month-to-month change.
  • Global: ~62% average absolute month-to-month change, indicating a more turbulent global environment.

Seasonal patterns and stability

  • Q4: The global series showed the typical holiday-induced rise from October to November. Canada followed with a November uptick but then eased sharply in December.
  • Mid-year: Both series exhibited pressure around late spring to summer, with Canada peaking in April/June and the global benchmark cresting in June.

Understanding cost per app install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Marketplaces 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 Marketplaces 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.