App Revenue Per Install Calculator: Monetization Per Download
Work out the average revenue per install (RPI) of a mobile app — the per-download monetization metric to set against the cost per install you pay to acquire each user.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Revenue per install |
|---|---|
| $50k / 100k installs | $0.50 |
| $8k / 5k installs (high RPI) | $1.60 |
| $1M / 5M installs (low RPI) | $0.20 |
| $25k / 250k installs | $0.10 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter total app revenue and total installs over the same period. The calculator divides one by the other to give revenue per install — the per-download monetization figure to compare against cost per install (CPI) for unit profitability.
The Formula
Cost per Unit
Total Amount is the full cost or price, Quantity is the number of units it covers
Worked Example
An app earning $50,000 across 100,000 installs has a $0.50 RPI. If paid acquisition costs $0.30 CPI, the app is profitable on a unit basis with $0.20 of margin per install. If CPI is $0.80, the app is losing $0.30 per acquired user — common in pre-monetization apps and a sign that the business model is not yet working.
Key Insight
RPI vs CPI is the fundamental unit economics question for mobile apps. Free-to-play games at scale often reach $1 to $5 RPI; productivity and subscription apps can clear $10+ for paying cohorts but lower across blended installs. The trap: paid user acquisition only works if RPI exceeds CPI by enough margin to cover infrastructure, support, and overhead. Apps that scale acquisition without verifying RPI > CPI burn the most cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is revenue per install calculated?
Divide total app revenue by total installs over the same period. $50,000 across 100,000 installs is a $0.50 RPI.
What is a good RPI?
Varies enormously by app category. Casual mobile games often clear $1 to $5 across the LTV window. Subscription apps target $20+ per install across 12 to 24 months. Free apps with no clear monetization can run under $0.10.
How is this different from ARPU?
ARPU divides by active users (already engaged); RPI divides by installs (which includes users who churned immediately). RPI is harsher because it includes everyone who downloaded; ARPU flatters the picture by counting only users who stayed.
What is the relationship to CPI?
CPI is what you pay to acquire one install via paid marketing. RPI is what you earn per install. The app is profitable on a unit basis when RPI > CPI; the gap funds infrastructure, support, and profit.
Should RPI be lifetime or first-90-days?
Both useful. Lifetime RPI is more accurate but slower; first-90-days is faster but understates apps with long monetization curves (subscriptions). Pick a window that lets you make decisions quickly enough.
Related Calculators
Methodology & Review
Revenue per install (RPI) is total app revenue divided by total installs over the same period. It includes both paying and non-paying users in the denominator. Compare against cost per install (CPI) to test whether the app is profitable on a per-download basis.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.