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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for SaaS & Cloud Platforms in Australia

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

Cost Per App Install for SaaS & Cloud Platforms in Australia

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads benchmarks: cost-per-app-install trends for SaaS & Cloud Platforms in Australia vs. global

This analysis looks at cost-per-app-install trends for industry SaaS & Cloud Platforms and target country Australia compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

Main takeaways

  • Overall level: Australia’s average cost-per-app-install (11.76) is in line with the global baseline (11.85), marginally lower by about 0.8%. The median is lower in Australia (8.82 vs. 11.36), signaling generally cheaper months offset by a single extreme spike.
  • Volatility: Typical month-to-month movement in Australia is moderate (median ±24%), notably calmer than the global baseline (median ±53%). However, Australia experienced a one-off surge in August 2025.
  • Seasonality: Australia was stable and low through Q4 2024 (around 6.5), dipped to a low in May 2025 (5.57), then surged in August 2025 (43.89) before normalizing in September. The global series peaked mid-year (June 2025) and rose again in September 2025.
  • Trend over time: From the first to last observed month, Australia fell 36.5% (September 2024 to September 2025), while the baseline rose sharply due to an unusually low starting point.

Australia (selected data) summary

  • Period average: 11.76; median: 8.82
  • High: 43.89 in August 2025; Low: 5.57 in May 2025 (range: 38.33)
  • First to last change: 13.99 (Sep 2024) to 8.89 (Sep 2025), down 36.5%
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute month-to-month change: ~49%
  • Typical (median) month-to-month change: ~24%
  • Notable movements:
  • Sharp drop from September to October 2024 (-54%), then steady around 6.5 through December.
  • Gradual build into March 2025 (10.59), dip to May low (5.57), rebound into July (13.32).
  • Extreme spike in August 2025 (+230% vs. July), followed by a rapid normalization in September (-80%).

Global baseline comparison

  • Period average: 11.85; median: 11.36
  • High: 26.21 in June 2025; Low: 1.98 in September 2024 (range: 24.23)
  • First to last change: 1.98 (Sep 2024) to 22.99 (Sep 2025), up ~1061% due to an unusually low initial month.
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute month-to-month change: ~74%
  • Typical (median) month-to-month change: ~53%
  • Pattern highlights:
  • Large jumps Oct→Nov 2024 (+131%) and May→June 2025 (+151%).
  • Elevated costs in June and September 2025.

How Australia compares month by month

  • Australia below global in 7 of 13 months (notably Nov–Dec 2024 and May–Jun 2025), indicating generally lower costs.
  • Above global in 6 months, including strong premiums in September 2024 and August 2025.
  • Net result: Australia is broadly in line with overall trends, slightly below average most months, with one exceptional spike.

Seasonal signals to note

  • Q4 2024 in Australia remained moderate (around 6.5), without a pronounced holiday surge.
  • Mid-year dynamics diverged: Australia hit its low in May and an outsized spike in August; globally, June and September were the peak months.

Understanding cost-per-app-install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry SaaS & Cloud Platforms and Australia 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 SaaS & Cloud Platforms industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. For campaigns targeting Australia, advertisers typically see good engagement rates despite moderate costs. 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.

Australia Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 27Australia Day (observed)
Apr 18‑21Easter weekend
Apr 25Anzac Day
Jun 9King's Birthday
Oct 6Labour Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late December (Christmas and Boxing Day), Early December (Cyber Monday), January (Back-to-school), May (Mother's Day)

Potential Advertising Impact

Ad costs could spike around major holidays, especially Easter, Anzac Day, and Christmas. Increased budgets and earlier scheduling may be necessary. Retailers should consider planning promotions around back-to-school and Mother's Day to maximize campaign effectiveness.

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.