GITNUXREPORT 2025

App Industry Statistics

Mobile app industry hits 258 billion downloads, generating $319 billion revenue globally.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

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There are more than 4 million app developers worldwide as of 2023

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Multi-platform app development increased by 35% in 2023, indicating a shift towards cross-platform solutions

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The average cost to develop a mobile app in 2023 ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on complexity

Statistic 4

The majority of mobile apps are developed for smartphones, with only about 10% targeting tablets as of 2023

Statistic 5

The number of mobile app downloads worldwide is expected to reach 258.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 6

The app industry is expected to employ over 2.7 million developers worldwide in 2023

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E-commerce apps have seen a 20% increase in downloads during 2023 compared to 2022

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The Philippines saw the highest mobile app download growth rate in 2023 at 45%

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Europe has seen a 15% increase in mobile app downloads in 2023, reaching over 220 million downloads per month

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Voice-enabled apps grew by 40% in 2023, reflecting rising adoption of voice technology

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The global mobile app revenue is projected to reach $319 billion in 2023

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70% of app revenue in 2023 comes from gaming apps

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In 2023, mobile gaming accounts for nearly 45% of all app revenue worldwide

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The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps in 2023 is $2.48 globally

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Subscription-based apps generate roughly 55% of total app revenue in 2023

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The revenue from in-app purchases in 2023 is estimated at $175 billion

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Mobile app revenues from China reached over $130 billion in 2023, accounting for roughly 41% of global mobile app revenue

Statistic 18

As of 2023, the average cost per install (CPI) for mobile apps is $3.19 globally

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The number of app publishers earning over $1 million annually increased by 28% in 2023

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The global mobile health app market is valued at over $10 billion in 2023

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Mobile commerce transactions are projected to account for 44% of all e-commerce sales in 2023

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The average app user has increased their in-app spending by 20% in 2023 compared to the previous year

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In-app advertising revenue is expected to reach $290 billion globally in 2023

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The education app category accounted for 12% of total app downloads in 2023

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The top 10 app publishers account for over 25% of all app revenue worldwide in 2023

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60% of mobile app revenue in 2023 is generated from in-app purchases alone

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The global AR (Augmented Reality) app market is projected to reach $2.4 billion in 2023

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80% of mobile apps are free to download, but only 3-5% of users pay for premium features

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The Asia-Pacific region accounts for almost 66% of global mobile app revenue in 2023

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In 2023, the top grossing app categories are Games, Business, and Entertainment, comprising over 70% of total app revenue

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The global mobile app advertising spend is projected to surpass $290 billion in 2023

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Apps in the finance category have seen a 15% increase in downloads in 2023 compared to 2022, with a total of over 230 million downloads

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Google Play Store has approximately 3.5 million apps available

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The Apple App Store hosts over 2.1 million apps as of 2023

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The Android platform accounts for about 72% of global mobile OS market share in 2023

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iOS holds approximately 27% of the global market share in mobile OS in 2023

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Utility apps are among the top categories downloaded, accounting for 21% of total downloads in 2023

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The number of active iOS devices worldwide is over 1 billion in 2023

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The social networking app category represents about 15% of global app downloads in 2023

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The average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed on their device

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More than 25% of apps downloaded in 2023 are abandoned within the first week

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The average time spent on mobile apps per day globally is around 4.1 hours in 2023

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The average app retention rate after 30 days is approximately 25%

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The average lifespan of an app on users’ devices is approximately 30 days before being deleted or abandoned

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In 2023, the global average install-to-active user conversion rate for ad campaigns is 22%

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The largest age demographic for mobile app users in 2023 is 25-34 years old, accounting for about 30% of all users

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The average session length per app user is approximately 6 minutes in 2023

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Mobile app user demographics show that women make up 55% of users overall in 2023, with men at 45%

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Key Highlights

  • The number of mobile app downloads worldwide is expected to reach 258.2 billion in 2023
  • The global mobile app revenue is projected to reach $319 billion in 2023
  • The average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed on their device
  • Google Play Store has approximately 3.5 million apps available
  • The Apple App Store hosts over 2.1 million apps as of 2023
  • 70% of app revenue in 2023 comes from gaming apps
  • In 2023, mobile gaming accounts for nearly 45% of all app revenue worldwide
  • The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps in 2023 is $2.48 globally
  • Subscription-based apps generate roughly 55% of total app revenue in 2023
  • More than 25% of apps downloaded in 2023 are abandoned within the first week
  • The revenue from in-app purchases in 2023 is estimated at $175 billion
  • The app industry is expected to employ over 2.7 million developers worldwide in 2023
  • The Android platform accounts for about 72% of global mobile OS market share in 2023

The mobile app industry continues to explode in 2023, with over 258 billion downloads and a staggering $319 billion in revenue worldwide, driven by gaming, e-commerce, and emerging technologies like voice and AR.

App Development and Market Trends

  • There are more than 4 million app developers worldwide as of 2023
  • Multi-platform app development increased by 35% in 2023, indicating a shift towards cross-platform solutions
  • The average cost to develop a mobile app in 2023 ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on complexity
  • The majority of mobile apps are developed for smartphones, with only about 10% targeting tablets as of 2023

App Development and Market Trends Interpretation

With over four million developers worldwide and a 35% surge in multi-platform creation, the app industry is booming—yet the focus remains largely on smartphones, leaving tablets as the overlooked stepchildren of the mobile world amid hefty price tags and a shift toward flexible, cross-platform solutions.

Industry Growth and Regional Dynamics

  • The number of mobile app downloads worldwide is expected to reach 258.2 billion in 2023
  • The app industry is expected to employ over 2.7 million developers worldwide in 2023
  • E-commerce apps have seen a 20% increase in downloads during 2023 compared to 2022
  • The Philippines saw the highest mobile app download growth rate in 2023 at 45%
  • Europe has seen a 15% increase in mobile app downloads in 2023, reaching over 220 million downloads per month
  • Voice-enabled apps grew by 40% in 2023, reflecting rising adoption of voice technology

Industry Growth and Regional Dynamics Interpretation

With over 258 billion downloads fueling a global workforce of 2.7 million developers, the app industry’s explosive growth—highlighted by a 45% surge in the Philippines, a 40% rise in voice-enabled apps, and a robust e-commerce uptick—paints a picture of an unstoppable digital revolution where convenience and innovation are increasingly voice-activated.

Market Revenue and Financial Insights

  • The global mobile app revenue is projected to reach $319 billion in 2023
  • 70% of app revenue in 2023 comes from gaming apps
  • In 2023, mobile gaming accounts for nearly 45% of all app revenue worldwide
  • The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps in 2023 is $2.48 globally
  • Subscription-based apps generate roughly 55% of total app revenue in 2023
  • The revenue from in-app purchases in 2023 is estimated at $175 billion
  • Mobile app revenues from China reached over $130 billion in 2023, accounting for roughly 41% of global mobile app revenue
  • As of 2023, the average cost per install (CPI) for mobile apps is $3.19 globally
  • The number of app publishers earning over $1 million annually increased by 28% in 2023
  • The global mobile health app market is valued at over $10 billion in 2023
  • Mobile commerce transactions are projected to account for 44% of all e-commerce sales in 2023
  • The average app user has increased their in-app spending by 20% in 2023 compared to the previous year
  • In-app advertising revenue is expected to reach $290 billion globally in 2023
  • The education app category accounted for 12% of total app downloads in 2023
  • The top 10 app publishers account for over 25% of all app revenue worldwide in 2023
  • 60% of mobile app revenue in 2023 is generated from in-app purchases alone
  • The global AR (Augmented Reality) app market is projected to reach $2.4 billion in 2023
  • 80% of mobile apps are free to download, but only 3-5% of users pay for premium features
  • The Asia-Pacific region accounts for almost 66% of global mobile app revenue in 2023
  • In 2023, the top grossing app categories are Games, Business, and Entertainment, comprising over 70% of total app revenue
  • The global mobile app advertising spend is projected to surpass $290 billion in 2023
  • Apps in the finance category have seen a 15% increase in downloads in 2023 compared to 2022, with a total of over 230 million downloads

Market Revenue and Financial Insights Interpretation

Despite over 80% of apps being free, the mobile industry’s year-end tally of $319 billion in revenue—predominantly from gaming, subscriptions, and in-app purchases—underscores that in the ever-expanding app universe, paying—whether with cash or attention—remains the ultimate game changer.

Technology and Platform Usage

  • Google Play Store has approximately 3.5 million apps available
  • The Apple App Store hosts over 2.1 million apps as of 2023
  • The Android platform accounts for about 72% of global mobile OS market share in 2023
  • iOS holds approximately 27% of the global market share in mobile OS in 2023
  • Utility apps are among the top categories downloaded, accounting for 21% of total downloads in 2023
  • The number of active iOS devices worldwide is over 1 billion in 2023
  • The social networking app category represents about 15% of global app downloads in 2023

Technology and Platform Usage Interpretation

In a crowded digital marketplace where Android commands with 72% of the global OS share and utility apps dominate downloads, the staggering presence of over 3.5 million apps on Google Play and 2.1 million on the App Store underscores not only the fierce competition but also the universal reliance—fueled by over a billion active iOS devices—on social networking and utility apps as essential tools of modern life.

User Engagement and Demographics

  • The average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed on their device
  • More than 25% of apps downloaded in 2023 are abandoned within the first week
  • The average time spent on mobile apps per day globally is around 4.1 hours in 2023
  • The average app retention rate after 30 days is approximately 25%
  • The average lifespan of an app on users’ devices is approximately 30 days before being deleted or abandoned
  • In 2023, the global average install-to-active user conversion rate for ad campaigns is 22%
  • The largest age demographic for mobile app users in 2023 is 25-34 years old, accounting for about 30% of all users
  • The average session length per app user is approximately 6 minutes in 2023
  • Mobile app user demographics show that women make up 55% of users overall in 2023, with men at 45%

User Engagement and Demographics Interpretation

In 2023, smartphone users juggle about 80 apps yet ditch a quarter within a week, spending over four hours daily on apps and leaving only a quarter retained after a month, revealing a fleeting love affair with digital tools largely led by 25-34-year-old women who engage for roughly six minutes per session.