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

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

Cost Per App Install for Software Development in India

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads benchmarks summary: cost per app install

This analysis looks at cost per app install trends for the Software Development industry in India compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

  • India (Software Development) sits far below market: the only observed month (Dec 2024) shows a median cost per app install of 0.116, which is 98.6% lower than the global baseline in the same month (8.52) and ~99% below the baseline’s overall average (11.85).
  • With one observed month in India, seasonality and volatility cannot be inferred for the selection. The global baseline, however, shows pronounced seasonality and high volatility, with typical Q4 pressure into November, a sharp mid-year spike in June, and elevated costs by September.
  • The baseline exhibits strong month‑to‑month swings (average absolute change ~73.6%) and a steep increase from Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 (+1,061%).

Selected data: Software Development in India

  • Coverage: December 2024 only.
  • Median (Dec 2024): 0.116.
  • Average across the observed period: 0.116 (equal to the single observation).
  • High/Low: both 0.116 (single month).
  • Month-to-month volatility and first-to-last change: not measurable with one data point; effectively 0% change within the observed window.

Notable observation:

  • December 2024 shows an exceptionally low median cost per app install for Software Development in India, with no intra-period spikes or dips observable due to the single data point.

Global baseline trend

  • Period: Sep 2024–Sep 2025.
  • Average: 11.85.
  • High: 26.21 (June 2025).
  • Low: 1.98 (September 2024).
  • First-to-last change: from 1.98 (Sep 2024) to 22.99 (Sep 2025), a +1,061% increase.
  • Volatility: high; average absolute month-to-month change ~73.6%.

Seasonality and notable moves:

  • Q4 pattern: costs rise into November (14.28), then cool in December (8.52) and January (6.36).
  • Spring oscillation: alternating lifts and dips through February–May (6.87–11.51 range).
  • Mid-year spike: June peaks at 26.21, followed by a pullback in July (12.35) and renewed elevation through late summer to September (22.99).

Side-by-side comparison

  • Level: India’s December 2024 median (0.116) is dramatically below market—only ~1.36% of the global baseline for that month and ~0.98% of the baseline’s overall average—clearly “below average.”
  • Seasonality: Insufficient data to establish seasonal patterns for India; globally, costs typically increase in Q4 around holiday periods, with an outsized spike mid-year (June).
  • Volatility: Not measurable for India with one month. The baseline is highly volatile, with frequent double‑digit month‑to‑month shifts.

Understanding cost per app install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and India 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 India, 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.

India Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 26Republic Day
Mar 14Holi
Apr 18Good Friday
May 1Labour Day
Aug 15Independence Day
Oct 2Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
Oct 21Diwali
Dec 25Christmas Day

Key Shopping Season

October (Diwali), Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday), December (Christmas), July–August (Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPMs might spike significantly during Diwali, especially in electronics, apparel, jewellery, and gifts. Black Friday/Cyber Monday and December could drive elevated ad competition. State-specific festivals might see regional campaign spikes. Bank closures during holidays may push online shopping to cluster in end-of-week periods.

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.