Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per Purchase Benchmarks for Software Development in United States

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

Cost Per Purchase for Software Development in United States

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Key takeaways

  • Based on $3B in aggregated spend, this analysis benchmarks median cost per purchase using Facebook Ads benchmarks. It compares Software Development in the United States against the global trend.
  • The selected segment runs persistently above market: on average about 49% higher than the global baseline across the period, with monthly premiums ranging from +11% (January) to +101% (December).
  • Clear Q4 seasonality: costs rise into December, then reset sharply in January. This pattern appears in both series but is far more pronounced in the selected segment.
  • Volatility is elevated. Average month‑to‑month absolute change is 19% for the selected segment versus 4.7% globally.

What this analysis covers

This analysis looks at cost per purchase trends for industry Software Development and target country United States compared to the global trend. It uses monthly medians to provide directional Facebook Ads benchmarks.

Trends in the selected segment

  • Average and level: The median cost per purchase averaged $73.43 across Oct 2024–Aug 2025.
  • Highs and lows:
  • High: $103.71 in December 2024.
  • Low: $58.04 in January 2025.
  • Range: $45.67 between the monthly high and low, indicating substantial dispersion.
  • Path and percent change:
  • October 2024 to August 2025 decreased by 9.7% (from $79.23 to $71.56).
  • Notable moves:
  • November to December: +34.8% surge to the annual peak.
  • December to January: −44.0% correction post‑holiday.
  • May: +19.6% rise to $82.93 (a secondary peak), followed by mid‑summer easing and a partial rebound in August (+14.4% vs. July).
  • Volatility: Average absolute month‑over‑month change of 19%, with the largest swings around the holiday period.

Comparison to the global baseline

  • Average and level:
  • Global average (Oct 2024–Aug 2025): $49.24.
  • The selected segment averaged about 49% above this level.
  • Highs and lows (global, Oct 2024–Aug 2025):
  • High: $53.89 (February 2025).
  • Low: $43.19 (November 2024).
  • Relative positioning by month:
  • The selected segment stayed above market in every observed month.
  • Smallest gap: January (+11% vs. global).
  • Largest gap: December (+101% vs. global).
  • Trend and volatility:
  • Global costs declined modestly by 2.1% from October to August, with low volatility (4.7% average absolute MoM change).
  • Seasonality is softer globally: a November–December lift (+19.3%) without the extreme January correction seen in the selected segment.
  • Beyond the overlapping window, the global baseline dipped further to $32.29 in September 2025, signaling continued easing.

Seasonality and pattern highlights

  • Q4 holiday pressure is evident: costs typically increase into December and pull back in January.
  • The United States Software Development segment shows more pronounced peaks and troughs than the global aggregate, indicating higher sensitivity to seasonal demand and budget shifts.

Understanding cost per purchase benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Software Development and United States 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 United States, advertisers often face higher costs due to high competition and purchasing power. 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.

United States Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 20Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 17Presidents' Day
May 26Memorial Day
Jun 19Juneteenth
Jul 4Independence Day
Sep 1Labor Day
Oct 13Columbus Day
Nov 11Veterans Day
Nov 27Thanksgiving Day
Dec 25Christmas Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Thanksgiving & Black Friday weekend), December (Christmas), Back-to-school (July–September), Summer travel season (Memorial Day onwards)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM and CPC might rise around major holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, especially in travel and entertainment. Black Friday/Thanksgiving weekend triggers massive spikes in retail ad competition. December ad demand typically peaks—retail campaigns require significantly higher budgets. Back-to-school promotions drive increased competition. Juneteenth may see regional engagement rise.

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.