> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cost per Trial Activated: Track Activation Cost

> Track the average ad spend per trial activation. Calculate your cost to acquire activated trial users.

<Tip>
  Cost per Trial Activated measures the average advertising spend required to generate one activated trial user.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Cost per Trial Activated** = **Channel Spend** ÷ **Trial Activated Events**
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                       | Definition                              |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Channel Spend**                                                            | Total advertising spend across channels |
| [**Trial Activated**](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/trial-activated) | Total trial activation events           |

| Metadata        |                         |
| --------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Type**        | Currency                |
| **Data Source** | [Upstack Pixel](/pixel) |
| **Aggregation** | Ratio                   |

***

## Example

Your SaaS spent **\$18,000** on ads and generated **300 activated trials** this month.

| Channel    | Spend        | Activations | Cost per Activation |
| ---------- | ------------ | ----------- | ------------------- |
| Google Ads | \$9,000      | 135         | \$66.67             |
| Facebook   | \$6,000      | 110         | \$54.55             |
| LinkedIn   | \$3,000      | 55          | \$54.55             |
| **Total**  | **\$18,000** | **300**     | **\$60.00**         |

***

## How It Works

This metric divides your total channel spend by the number of activated trial users. Activated users convert at much higher rates than non-activated users, making this a more predictive CAC metric than cost per trial start alone.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario            | Action                                       |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| True CAC proxy      | More accurate than cost per trial start      |
| Channel quality     | Compare activation rates by source           |
| Budget optimization | Prioritize channels with low activation cost |
| LTV/CAC analysis    | Pair with activation-to-paid conversion      |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                 | Relationship         |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------- |
| [Trial Activated](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/trial-activated)               | Count of activations |
| [Cost per Trial Started](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/cost-per-trial-started) | Top-funnel cost      |
| [Trial Activated Value](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/trial-activated-value)   | Value of activations |

[See all Conversions metrics →](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions)