Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Retail

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

Cost Per App Install for Retail

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads benchmarks: cost per app install for Retail, All countries available

This analysis looks at COST_PER_APP_INSTALL trends for industry Retail 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.

Key takeaways

  • Retail in All countries available sits well above market: average cost per app install was about 130.56 versus the global baseline’s 11.85, roughly 11x higher.
  • From September 2024 to September 2025, costs in the selected series rose 94% (88.03 to 170.89).
  • Highs and lows: the series peaked in August 2025 at 181.70 and bottomed in September 2024 at 88.03.
  • Volatility: average month-to-month absolute change was ~18% for Retail vs ~74% for the global benchmark (the latter swings more due to a very low starting base).
  • Seasonality: costs rose in Q4 2024 and accelerated into January, then surged again in summer 2025—typical elevated costs around holiday periods and late Q3.

Overview and context

  • Metric: cost per app install (median, monthly).
  • Scope: Retail, All countries available; compared against a global baseline.
  • Period: Sep 2024–Sep 2025.

Retail (selected data) trends

  • Average: 130.56 across 13 months.
  • High: 181.70 in August 2025; second-highest 170.89 in September 2025.
  • Low: 88.03 in September 2024.
  • Range: a spread of 93.67 between the monthly low and high.
  • Volatility: month-to-month changes averaged 18% in absolute terms.
  • Notable movements:
  • Sharp lifts: October 2024 (+35% vs September), January 2025 (+36% vs December), June (+33%), July (+28%).
  • Pullbacks: February 2025 (-25% vs January), April (-19%), May (-7%).
  • Seasonal pattern: Moderate elevation across Q4 2024 (October and December above September), a strong January uplift, and a pronounced summer 2025 surge culminating in August.

Global baseline comparison

  • Baseline average: 11.85, with a low of 1.98 (September 2024) and a high of 26.21 (June 2025).
  • Trend: from 1.98 to 22.99, up ~1061% over the period—reflecting a very low starting point and high relative swings.
  • Volatility: average absolute month-to-month change of ~74%.
  • Seasonal signals: spikes in June 2025 and September 2025, with a series of sharp ups and downs across the year.
  • Relative positioning:
  • Retail costs are consistently above market—around 11x the global average.
  • Peak comparison: in August 2025, Retail reached 181.70 vs a global 15.00 (about 12x higher).
  • While both series show elevated costs into late Q3/early Q4, Retail displays a steadier escalation and higher absolute levels.

What marketers should note about seasonality

  • Costs typically rise in Q4 around holiday periods; in Retail, October and December were higher than September.
  • The strongest uplift occurred from late Q2 through Q3 2025, with pronounced peaks in July–August and sustained elevation into September.

Understanding COST_PER_APP_INSTALL benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Retail 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 Retail 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.

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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.