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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Software Development in France

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Cost Per App Install for Software Development in France

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

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

This analysis looks at cost-per-app-install (CPI) trends for the Software Development industry in France 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

  • France Software Development CPI sits well below the global benchmark throughout the period—about 89% lower on average.
  • Seasonality diverges from the global pattern: France peaks in Q1 (Jan–Mar), whereas the global trend shows a sharp Q4/early-summer lift.
  • Volatility is high in both datasets; France shows slightly higher month-to-month swings.
  • From the first to the last month, France CPI rose 71%, while the global benchmark rose 658%.

France Software Development CPI: monthly median trends

  • Range and levels:
  • Average: 1.17 per install across Sep 2024–Aug 2025.
  • Median: 0.91; High: 2.69 (Mar 2025); Low: 0.33 (Jun 2025).
  • Direction of travel:
  • First month (Sep 2024): 0.483; last month (Aug 2025): 0.828 → +71% over the period.
  • Seasonality:
  • Q1 is the most expensive quarter (Jan–Mar avg ≈ 2.44), with a clear run-up from January to a March peak.
  • Q2 eases markedly (Apr–Jun avg ≈ 0.60) with the yearly low in June.
  • Q4 remains relatively modest compared to Q1.
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute month-to-month change ≈ 81%.
  • Notable swings: +146% (Jan vs. Dec), +273% (Jul vs. Jun), −63% (Apr vs. Mar).

Global baseline CPI: overlapping period for comparison

  • Levels and extremes:
  • Average: 10.92 per install; High: 26.21 (Jun 2025); Low: 1.98 (Sep 2024).
  • Direction of travel:
  • From 1.98 (Sep 2024) to 15.00 (Aug 2025) → +658%.
  • Seasonality:
  • Strong Q4 spike (Oct–Nov) with a pullback in December.
  • Another pronounced surge in June.
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute month-to-month change ≈ 75%.

France vs. global: positioning and seasonal differences

  • Relative level:
  • France averages 1.17 vs. 10.92 globally—about 89% below market.
  • The France peak (2.69) is ~90% below the global peak (26.21).
  • France is below the global benchmark every month. The widest gap occurs in June (0.33 vs. 26.21; ~99% below).
  • Seasonal alignment:
  • Global shows typical holiday effects (Oct–Nov lift) and a major June spike.
  • France diverges with relatively subdued Q4 and a pronounced Q1 spike, then a trough in late Q2.
  • Volatility:
  • Both series are highly volatile; France is slightly more volatile, with sharper rebounds and pullbacks.

Notable monthly moves in France

  • Spikes: Oct (+137% vs. Sep), Jan (+146% vs. Dec), Jul (+273% vs. Jun).
  • Dips: Nov (−58% vs. Oct), Apr (−63% vs. Mar), Jun (−32% vs. May).

Understanding cost-per-app-install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in Software Development and France 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 Software Development industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. For campaigns targeting France, 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.

France Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Apr 18Good Friday (Alsace & Moselle)
Apr 21Easter Monday
May 1Labour Day
May 8Victory in Europe Day
May 29Ascension Day
Jun 9Whit Monday
Jul 14Bastille Day
Aug 15Assumption Day
Nov 1All Saints' Day
Nov 11Armistice Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Saint Stephen's Day (Alsace & Moselle)

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday), December (Christmas & post‑Christmas sales), May–June (spring sales)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM and CPC might increase during spring holidays when leisure and travel campaigns see higher engagement. Extended 'ponts' (bridge days) in May could create long weekends with lower weekday ad inventory. Late November and December feature steep increases in ad competition. Christmas season may drive peak ad volumes.

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.