Growing an app in Latin America is a challenge. Marketers face rising costs, stricter privacy rules, and a saturated digital ecosystem. Relying only on traditional channels like Google and Meta is no longer sustainable. To actually grow in the region, teams need alternatives that are effective, measurable, and adapted to local markets.
This guide explores three powerful app growth solutions in Latin America that we offer at Rocket Lab: Apple Ads, OEM advertising with our solution First-impact Ads, and Programmatic Ads. Together, they form the toolkit for real mobile user acquisition in LATAM.
For years, Google UAC and Meta campaigns were the default. But today, many teams ask: What other mobile user acquisition channels in LATAM can deliver results?
Why this shift? Three main reasons:
Rising costs: CPMs on Meta and Google keep increasing, reducing ROI.
Privacy limitations: Apple’s ATT and less tracking visibility make optimization harder.
Need for diversification: Teams need to spread risk and performance across multiple channels.
That’s why the search for alternatives to Meta Ads and Google Ads in LATAM has become one of the top questions for app growth leaders.
Apple Ads in LATAM are gaining adoption, especially in verticals like finance, subscriptions, and marketplaces. While iOS has a smaller footprint in the region — in August 2025, iOS market share in Latin America was around 15.8% (StatCounter Global Stats) — these users are often the most valuable for app growth. That’s why competition for visibility in the App Store keeps increasing.
Unlike broad display or social campaigns, Apple Ads connect with users at the moment of search, turning intent into installs with stronger long-term potential.
Why Apple Ads matters:
Reaches high-value iOS users in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and beyond.
Privacy-friendly by nature, based on search intent.
Multiple campaign structures: brand, generic, competitor, discovery.
Rocket Lab supports apps with Apple Ads strategy in LATAM, from localized keyword research to campaign optimization. We work with advanced platforms and tools for reporting, analysis, and insights, giving apps benchmarks and visibility that few others can match.
For iOS app growth in LATAM, Apple Ads are one of the strongest alternatives.
Latin America is an Android-first market, with more than 80% of devices running on Android. Yet most marketers stop at Google Play campaigns, missing a major opportunity.
OEM advertising in LATAM allows apps to appear directly on devices from Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Motorola. With placements such as pre-installs and First-impact Ads, your app is visible from the very first screen.
Benefits of First-impact Ads in LATAM:
100% visibility at device activation.
Early adoption and habit creation.
Fraud-free inventory from manufacturers.
Includes trusted formats like Google PAI, where apps are suggested during device setup.
As the official OEM core agency in LATAM, Rocket Lab helps apps run OEM campaigns that expand Android app growth in Latin America beyond the Play Store.
Finally, programmatic advertising in LATAM offers reach and precision. By activating multiple DSPs, marketers can connect with new users, retarget existing ones, and optimize campaigns in real time.
Why programmatic works:
Access to diverse, high-quality inventory.
Real-time bid adjustments.
Transparent reporting on traffic sources and placements, so teams know exactly where their ads are shown.
Balances user acquisition with retention strategies.
At Rocket Lab, we run programmatic advertising for apps in LATAM with a focus on measurable results and full visibility. When combined with Apple Ads and OEM campaigns, programmatic completes a multi-channel setup that improves performance sustainably.
The future of mobile user acquisition in Latin America is multi-channel. Google and Meta will remain relevant, but depending only on them is risky. Apps that adopt Apple Ads, OEM advertising, and Programmatic Ads are building stronger foundations for long-term growth.
Rocket Lab brings these alternatives together. As the App Growth Hub in LATAM, we design and execute strategies that integrate channels, adapt to each country, and deliver measurable results.
If you’re looking for alternatives to Google Ads and Meta Ads in LATAM, the solutions are already here. And Rocket Lab is ready to put them to work for your app.
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