> ## 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: Engaged Trial Acquisition Cost

> Calculate cost per activated trial to measure quality acquisition. Track spend required to acquire trial users who engage.

<Tip>
  Cost per Trial Activated measures the average advertising spend required to acquire one trial user who completes activation milestones.
</Tip>

## Formula

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

### Formula Components

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

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

***

## Example

Your SaaS company spent **\$30,000** on acquisition in July, generating **1,200 activated trials**.

| Channel      | Spend        | Activated Trials | Cost/Activated |
| ------------ | ------------ | ---------------- | -------------- |
| Google Ads   | \$12,000     | 560              | \$21.43        |
| Meta         | \$10,000     | 400              | \$25.00        |
| LinkedIn     | \$5,000      | 160              | \$31.25        |
| Partnerships | \$3,000      | 80               | \$37.50        |
| **Total**    | **\$30,000** | **1,200**        | **\$25.00**    |

***

## How It Works

The metric divides total advertising spend by the number of trial activation events tracked by the Upstack Pixel. This metric is more predictive of conversions than Cost per Trial Started because activated users have demonstrated genuine product engagement.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                    | Action                                         |
| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Measure acquisition quality | Compare to Cost per Trial Started              |
| Optimize for engagement     | Focus on channels with lower activated costs   |
| Predict CAC                 | Activated trial cost × inverse conversion rate |
| Budget planning             | Target activated trials, not just starts       |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                               | Relationship                        |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| [Trial Activated](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/trial-activated)             | The denominator in this calculation |
| [Trial Activated Value](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/trial-activated-value) | Revenue to compare against cost     |
| [Cost per Trial Started](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/trial-started-cost)   | Top-of-funnel cost comparison       |

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