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

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 New Zealand

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads benchmarks: cost-per-app-install trends

This analysis looks at cost-per-app-install trends for industry SaaS & Cloud Platforms and target country New Zealand 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

  • New Zealand SaaS & Cloud Platforms sits well above market: average cost-per-app-install of 45.81 versus the global baseline at 11.85 (about 3.9x higher).
  • High volatility in New Zealand: average month-to-month swing of 36.20 versus 6.31 globally.
  • Large spikes in January (105.23) and April (91.28), with notable dips in October (5.99) and December (6.40).
  • From first to last month, New Zealand rose 37.6% (34.35 to 47.27); the global baseline climbed from 1.98 to 22.99 (+1061%) off a very low starting point.
  • New Zealand was above the global benchmark in 11 of 13 months; it dipped slightly below in October and December 2024.

New Zealand SaaS & Cloud Platforms overview

  • Overall level: Average 45.81 across Sep 2024–Sep 2025.
  • Highs and lows:
  • High: 105.23 in January 2025; second-highest 91.28 in April 2025.
  • Low: 5.99 in October 2024; 6.40 in December 2024.
  • Range: 99.24 (high–low), reflecting wide dispersion.
  • Volatility:
  • Average month-to-month change: 36.20, or roughly 79% of the series average—indicative of sharp swings.
  • Notable shifts:
  • December to January: +1544% (6.40 to 105.23).
  • April to May: −80% (91.28 to 18.11).
  • Trend:
  • Q4 2024 averaged 9.35—relatively subdued.
  • Costs then surged in H1 2025, averaging 59.31 (Jan–Jun), before stabilizing at elevated levels in Jul–Sep (average 55.72).

Global baseline comparison

  • Overall level: Average 11.85, well below New Zealand.
  • Highs and lows:
  • High: 26.21 in June 2025; second-highest 22.99 in September 2025.
  • Low: 1.98 in September 2024.
  • Range: 24.23.
  • Volatility:
  • Average month-to-month change: 6.31, materially steadier than New Zealand.
  • Seasonality patterns observed:
  • Lift into November 2024 (14.28), softening in December–January (8.52 to 6.36).
  • Higher levels from June onward (June peak 26.21; late-summer/early-fall 15.00–22.99).

Relative positioning and seasonal context

  • New Zealand vs. global:
  • Q4 2024: New Zealand (9.35) tracked in line with the global average (9.67), even dipping below baseline in October and December.
  • H1 2025: New Zealand averaged 59.31 vs. 12.13 globally—about 4.9x higher.
  • Jul–Sep 2025: New Zealand averaged 55.72 vs. 16.78 globally—about 3.3x higher.
  • Overall, New Zealand SaaS & Cloud Platforms is consistently above market for most of the period, with sharper peaks and deeper month-to-month movements than the global trend. While the baseline shows a moderate rise with a mid-year peak, New Zealand exhibits pronounced spikes in January and April and sustains elevated costs through mid to late 2025.

Understanding cost-per-app-install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry SaaS & Cloud Platforms and New Zealand 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 New Zealand, 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.

New Zealand Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 2Day after New Year's Day
Feb 6Waitangi Day
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 21Easter Monday
Apr 25ANZAC Day
Jun 2King's Birthday
Jun 20Matariki
Oct 27Labour Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November–early December (Black Friday/Cyber Monday), Christmas season (Boxing Day sales), Mid‑year promotions (Matariki in June), Back-to-school (late January/early February)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM and CPC might rise around Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day as public events increase media consumption. Matariki is new public holiday with growing awareness—advertising may see elevated competition. Late November–December Black Friday/Cyber Monday could drive ad costs significantly. Regional anniversary holidays may cause local inventory shifts.

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.