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

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 United Kingdom

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads cost per app install benchmarks: Summary and key takeaways

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

  • Overall level: Great Britain SaaS & Cloud Platforms ran above market. The 13‑month average cost per app install (CPI) was 17.25 versus a global average of 11.85, about 45% higher.
  • Volatility: The selected series showed wide swings (range 6.08–65.49) with six months posting >50% month‑to‑month moves, culminating in a record August peak and a sharp September correction.
  • Seasonality: The global baseline shows a typical Q4 lift (notably November). Great Britain’s SaaS CPI was muted in Q4 but surged in July–August. Q2 ran below market; Q1 and Q3 were above.
  • Trend vs baseline: Despite extreme peaks, Great Britain’s CPI ended nearly flat from first to last month (‑1.9%), while the global baseline rose sharply (+1061%), driven by a low starting point and mid‑year strength.

Selected data highlights (SaaS & Cloud Platforms, Great Britain)

  • Period average: 17.25
  • High/low: High at 65.49 in Aug‑2025; low at 6.08 in May‑2025 (range 59.41).
  • Start-to-end change: From 7.08 (Sep‑2024) to 6.95 (Sep‑2025), a ‑1.9% change.
  • Notable spikes and dips:
  • Jan‑2025 jumped to 25.47 (+228% vs Dec‑2024).
  • A mid‑year build from Jun‑2025 (15.47) to Jul‑2025 (37.77) to Aug‑2025 (65.49), followed by a ‑89% drop in Sep‑2025 (6.95).
  • Seasonal notes: Q4‑2024 remained contained (Oct–Dec average 6.87). Q1‑2025 elevated (17.78), Q2 softer (10.99), and Q3 highly elevated due to July–August.

Comparison with the global baseline

  • Baseline average: 11.85; high 26.21 (Jun‑2025); low 1.98 (Sep‑2024); start‑to‑end change +1061%.
  • Relative positioning:
  • Great Britain CPI was above market in 7 of 13 months (notably Jan, Mar, Jul, Aug), below in 5 months (Nov, Dec, May, Jun, Sep), and roughly in line in Apr.
  • Quarterly view:
  • Q4‑2024: Great Britain below baseline (6.87 vs 9.67).
  • Q1‑2025: Above baseline (17.78 vs 8.20).
  • Q2‑2025: Below baseline (10.99 vs 16.05).
  • Q3‑2025: Above baseline (36.74 vs 16.78), driven by the August spike.
  • Volatility comparison:
  • Great Britain exhibited a larger amplitude (65.49 peak vs baseline 26.21) and sharper reversals (e.g., Sep‑2025).
  • The baseline showed steadier seasonality, with a notable November lift, a June peak, and elevated September.

Seasonal patterns and volatility context

  • Global seasonality aligns with expected patterns: costs typically rise into late Q4 and again mid‑year.
  • Great Britain’s SaaS & Cloud Platforms CPI deviated from this in Q4‑2024 (muted), then surged in late summer 2025 before reverting sharply in September. Overall volatility was high, with several months showing triple‑digit percentage swings.

Understanding cost per app install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry SaaS & Cloud Platforms and Great Britain 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 United Kingdom, advertisers experience moderate to high costs with strong performance in urban areas. 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.

United Kingdom Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 22nd January (Scotland)
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 21Easter Monday
May 5Early May Bank Holiday
May 26Spring Bank Holiday
Aug 25Summer Bank Holiday
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday surge), Late December (Christmas & Boxing Day promotions), Early May holiday weekend promotions

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM and CPC might increase around early May and late August bank holidays as people engage in leisure travel or retail browsing. During Black Friday/Cyber Monday, retail CPMs could spike sharply in fashion, electronics, and online shopping. Late December typically sees peak CPMs, with e‑commerce budgets needing early ramp-up.

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.