Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per Purchase Benchmarks for Software Development

See how your purchase costs compare. Explore ecommerce conversion cost benchmarks by industry, region, and campaign type

Cost Per Purchase for Software Development

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads cost-per-purchase benchmarks: Software Development vs. global

This analysis looks at cost-per-purchase trends for industry Software Development and target country all countries available compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

  • The Software Development segment is consistently below market: average cost-per-purchase of 29.19 versus the global baseline’s 49.02 (about 40% lower).
  • Strong upward trajectory: from 13.22 in Sep 2024 to 41.93 in Aug 2025, a +217% increase; the global baseline dipped slightly over the same period (-2%).
  • Seasonal pattern is evident: a sharp December surge (+59% month-over-month), with a peak in April; baseline also lifts in Q4–Q1.
  • Volatility is higher in the selected data: average month-to-month absolute change of ~17% versus ~4% for the baseline.

Software Development: monthly trend highlights

  • Averages, highs, lows:
  • Average: 29.19 across Sep 2024–Aug 2025.
  • Low: 13.22 in Sep 2024.
  • High: 43.37 in Apr 2025 (range of 30.14 across the period).
  • Momentum and volatility:
  • First to last month: +217% (13.22 → 41.93).
  • Average month-to-month absolute change: ~17%.
  • Notable moves:
  • Biggest spike: Nov → Dec 2024 at +59.1% (14.11 → 22.46).
  • Sharpest pullback: Apr → May 2025 at -19.4% (43.37 → 34.97).
  • Seasonal pattern:
  • Costs lift into December (holiday period), cool slightly in January, then accelerate through February–April before a May correction and a steady climb into late summer.

Comparison to the global baseline

  • Level vs. market:
  • Average gap: 29.19 vs. 49.02, about 40% below the global benchmark.
  • The Software Development series stayed below the global baseline every month observed.
  • Highs and lows:
  • Selected high: 43.37 (Apr 2025) — roughly 20% below the global peak of 53.89 (Feb 2025).
  • Selected low: 13.22 (Sep 2024) — about 69% below the global low of 43.19 (Nov 2024).
  • Trajectory and stability:
  • Baseline change Sep 2024 → Aug 2025: -2.0% (46.60 → 45.69), with modest swings (avg. ~4.3% MoM absolute).
  • Baseline seasonality: dip in November, clear lift December–February, gradual easing into summer.
  • Selected series shows the same Q4/Q1 uplift but with steeper slopes (Dec jump +59%, Feb +36.5%) and a pronounced spring peak.

What marketers should note about seasonality

  • Q4 uplift: both series intensify into December, aligning with holiday demand.
  • Q1 carryover: elevated costs continue into January–February; the Software Development series accelerates more sharply into March–April before a May reset.
  • Summer trend: the selected data rises toward August, while the global baseline softens gradually from June to August.

Understanding cost-per-purchase benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and all countries available 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. Geographic targeting affects ad costs based on market competition and user engagement in different regions. 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.

What's a healthy cost per purchase for ecommerce brands?

It depends on your product price and margins. Most brands aim for $10 to $50. For higher-ticket products, a higher CPA may be acceptable as long as you're maintaining a strong return on ad spend.

How does product price impact CPA benchmarks?

Higher-priced products typically have a higher CPA because people take longer to convert. That's not necessarily a problem if your margin can support it. You should measure CPA in context with AOV and LTV.

Why are my purchase costs going up despite stable ROAS?

Your AOV may be increasing, which helps maintain ROAS even if CPA rises. You could also be facing higher CPMs, lower conversion rates, or creative fatigue.

Should I use manual bidding to control CPA more effectively?

Manual bidding can help if you're struggling to stay within target CPA. It's best used by experienced advertisers who can monitor performance and adjust regularly. It gives more control, but also requires more effort.

How do I scale spend without letting CPA skyrocket?

Increase budget gradually, rotate creative often, and avoid overlapping audiences. Scaling too quickly can lead to audience saturation and rising CPAs.