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

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Cost Per App Install for Software Development in Sweden

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Key takeaways

  • This analysis looks at cost per app install trends for industry Software Development and target country Sweden compared to the global trend, based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.
  • Sweden’s median cost per app install (CPI) is well below market: 2.62 on average vs a global baseline of 9.53 across the same months (about 72% lower).
  • Seasonal pattern divergence: while global CPI typically rises in Q4 and again mid-year, Sweden shows unusually low CPIs in November–December and a sharp surge in February–March.
  • Volatility is high in Sweden (average month-to-month absolute change ≈72%), slightly above the global baseline (≈64%).
  • From the first to last observed month, Sweden’s CPI declined 26%, while the global baseline rose sharply over the same window.

What we analyzed

  • Metric: cost per app install (CPI)
  • Industry: Software Development
  • Country: Sweden
  • Period covered by the selected series: Sep 2024–Aug 2025 (missing June 2025)
  • Baseline: global median CPI across the same months for comparison

Sweden (selected data) trends

  • Average CPI: 2.62 across 11 months.
  • High/low:
  • High: 6.67 (Mar 2025)
  • Low: 0.68 (Nov 2024)
  • Range: ~5.99
  • Change from first to last month: 2.44 (Sep 2024) to 1.81 (Aug 2025), down ~26%.
  • Notable swings:
  • Sharp declines into late Q4: Oct to Nov fell ~76%.
  • Quick rebound: Nov to Dec up ~57%.
  • Two-month surge: Jan to Feb (+163%) and into Mar (peak 6.67), nearly +189% from Jan to Mar.
  • Reversal in spring: Mar to Apr down ~62%; Apr to May down ~32%.
  • Summer whipsaw: May to Jul down ~55%, then Jul to Aug up ~136%.
  • Volatility: average absolute month-to-month change ≈72%, indicating a highly dynamic CPI environment.

Global baseline comparison

  • Average CPI (same months): 9.53; Sweden is ~72% below market on average.
  • High/low over the same months:
  • High: 15.00 (Aug 2025)
  • Low: 1.98 (Sep 2024)
  • Month-to-month highlights:
  • Baseline spikes early in Q4: Sep to Oct up ~213%, then Nov remains elevated (14.28).
  • Seasonality is evident: higher CPIs in Q4 and again into summer; baseline also shows a pronounced mid-year spike overall (June at 26.21 outside Sweden’s observed series).
  • First-to-last change (matched window): up ~658% from Sep 2024 (1.98) to Aug 2025 (15.00).
  • Volatility: average absolute month-to-month change ≈64% (slightly less volatile than Sweden).

Relative positioning by month

  • Above market: Sep 2024 (+23% vs baseline).
  • In line: Mar 2025 (about 3% below baseline).
  • Below market: all other months, often materially lower (e.g., Nov 2024 ~95% below, Aug 2025 ~88% below).

Seasonality call-outs

  • Global trend shows higher CPIs in Q4 around holiday periods and elevated levels into summer.
  • Sweden diverges: CPIs dip in Nov–Dec, then spike in Feb–Mar before easing through spring and jolting again mid-summer.

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

Sweden Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 6Epiphany
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 20Easter Sunday
Apr 21Easter Monday
May 1Labour Day
May 29Ascension Day
Jun 6National Day
Jun 21Midsummer Day
Nov 1All Saints' Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Second Day of Christmas

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday is huge), December (Christmas and post-Christmas sales), June (Midsummer seasonal promotions), January (Winter sale season)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPMs might spike during Black Friday and early December, especially in e‑commerce and fashion. Easter and Midsummer holidays often decrease weekday inventory but increase media usage during long weekends. Midsummer tends to be quiet in retail but active in travel and food sectors. Post-Christmas sales in January still see high digital ad demand.

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.