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Facebook Ads Cost Per Purchase Benchmarks for Software Development in Canada

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Cost Per Purchase for Software Development in Canada

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

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

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

Key takeaways

  • Overall level: Canada’s Software Development cost-per-purchase is above market, averaging $70.45 versus a global baseline of $49.24 (+43% higher).
  • Volatility: Canada shows notably higher month-to-month volatility (average absolute change $12.42), roughly 5.5x the global baseline ($2.24), indicating choppier monthly swings.
  • Seasonal pattern: Q4 is mixed in Canada (dip in November, rebound in December). Costs rise sharply through late Q2 and peak in July, while the global trend steadily eases from February into summer.
  • Trend direction: From October 2024 to August 2025, Canada climbed +15.6% (from $69.48 to $80.32). The global baseline edged down -2.1% over the same span.

Canada: Software Development cost-per-purchase trends

  • Average: $70.45 across Oct 2024–Aug 2025.
  • High and low:
  • High: $88.87 in July 2025.
  • Low: $50.99 in November 2024.
  • Notable monthly moves:
  • November dip from October: -$18.49.
  • February jump from January: +$16.80.
  • March pullback from February: -$24.91.
  • May surge from April: +$23.98.
  • August eased from July: -$8.56.
  • Seasonal observations:
  • Q4: soft in November with recovery in December.
  • Q1: stable through January with a February spike.
  • Q2–Q3: elevated costs, peaking in July and remaining high into August.
  • First-to-last change: +15.6% (Oct 2024 to Aug 2025), signaling a rising cost environment through mid-year.

Global baseline comparison

  • Average: $49.24 over the same months.
  • High and low:
  • High: $53.89 in February 2025.
  • Low: $43.19 in November 2024.
  • Volatility: very stable month-to-month (avg absolute change $2.24).
  • Seasonal observations: steady climb into February followed by a gradual easing through summer.

Relative positioning month by month

  • Canada is above the global baseline in nearly every month, with the premium widening in late Q2 and Q3:
  • May to August run 71%–92% above market.
  • March is roughly in line with the baseline (slightly below by -0.4%).
  • Both Canada and the baseline see a softer November and a stronger February, but Canada’s amplitude is materially higher.

What this means for benchmarks

Across the observed period, Software Development in Canada exhibits above-market cost-per-purchase levels, higher volatility, and pronounced mid-year elevation relative to the global baseline, which trends gently upward into February and then softens into summer.

Understanding cost-per-purchase benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and Canada 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 Canada, 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.

Canada Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Feb (3rd Mon)Family Day
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 21Easter Monday (federal)
May (Victoria Day)Victoria Day
Jul 1Canada Day
Sep (1st Mon)Labour Day
Oct (2nd Mon)Thanksgiving
Nov 11Remembrance Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday and Cyber Monday), December (holiday shopping, Boxing Day), Back-to-school (August-September), Mother's Day (May)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM might increase during Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving. Black Friday and Cyber Monday see heightened e‑commerce bidding. December holiday period may spike ad costs. Back-to-school and Mother's Day drive retail competition. Provincial holidays might alter weekday inventory availability.

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.