Key Highlights
- The global app revenue reached approximately $133 billion in 2022
- In 2023, average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps worldwide was $2.87
- In-app advertising accounted for over 70% of mobile app revenue in 2022
- The average CPI (cost per install) in the US was $4.52 in 2023
- Hyper-casual games generate around 45% of mobile game revenue
- Subscription-based apps saw a 20% increase in revenue year-over-year in 2023
- The average session length for mobile apps is around 4.2 minutes globally
- Top grossing entertainment apps earned over $30 million monthly in 2023
- The worldwide mobile app downloads reached 230 billion in 2022
- In 2023, AR (Augmented Reality) apps revenue grew by 35% compared to the previous year
- Approximately 85% of all app revenue is generated through in-app purchases and subscriptions
- The average app store conversion rate is about 4.9%
- Game apps account for approximately 80% of all app revenue
With global app revenue soaring to over $133 billion in 2022 and in-app advertising accounting for more than 70% of mobile income, understanding the latest trends and strategies in app monetization has become essential for developers aiming to thrive in an increasingly competitive mobile landscape.
Advertising and Ad Revenue Metrics
- The average CPI (cost per install) in the US was $4.52 in 2023
- Mobile video ad engagement rates increased by 22% in 2023
- The average revenue share of in-app ads in gaming apps is approximately 63%
- Ad-supported freemium apps have seen an increase of 30% in ad revenue year-over-year
- The average revenue per thousand impressions (RPM) for mobile ads is approximately $4.10
- Ad impressions in mobile video ads increased by 35% in 2023
- The percentage of revenue generated from in-app ads is highest in the entertainment and gaming categories, at over 60%
Advertising and Ad Revenue Metrics Interpretation
As mobile app monetization evolves, with a $4.52 CPI and a 35% surge in video ad impressions, it's clear that in entertainment and gaming sectors—where in-app ads now account for over 60% of revenue—developers are increasingly betting on engaging, ad-supported experiences to keep the digital cash flowing.
Market Revenue and Growth
- The global app revenue reached approximately $133 billion in 2022
- In 2023, average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps worldwide was $2.87
- Hyper-casual games generate around 45% of mobile game revenue
- Subscription-based apps saw a 20% increase in revenue year-over-year in 2023
- Top grossing entertainment apps earned over $30 million monthly in 2023
- The worldwide mobile app downloads reached 230 billion in 2022
- In 2023, AR (Augmented Reality) apps revenue grew by 35% compared to the previous year
- The average app store conversion rate is about 4.9%
- Game apps account for approximately 80% of all app revenue
- The global mobile advertising spend is projected to reach $362 billion in 2023
- The percentage of free apps that generate revenue is approximately 94%
- Mobile game in-app purchase revenues increased by 18% in 2023
- The global average monetization rate for free apps is 2.9%
- Payment apps saw a revenue increase of 27% in 2023
- The average app revenue per user varies widely across categories, with gaming at $25 and productivity at $1.50
- The top 1% of apps generate over 80% of total app revenue
- Freemium apps account for over 65% of app downloads globally
- Emerging markets have seen a 28% increase in app monetization revenue in 2023
- The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) in mobile games is around $16.50
- Mobile commerce (m-commerce) revenue accounts for more than 45% of overall app monetization revenue
- In 2023, app monetization is expected to grow annually at a rate of 12%
- Mobile fitness apps saw a revenue increase of 15% in 2023
- The ratio of free to paid apps is approximately 10:1 worldwide
- Mobile app ad spending is forecasted to reach $278 billion by 2025
- Android apps account for 75% of all mobile app downloads globally in 2023
Market Revenue and Growth Interpretation
With mobile app revenue soaring to $133 billion in 2022 and gaming capturing 80% of that, the digital playground continues to rake in billions—reminding us that whether it's hyper-casual games, streaming giants, or fitness trackers, each swipe fuels a global economy where free apps are rarely free but astonishingly profitable.
Monetization Strategies and Revenue Sources
- In-app advertising accounted for over 70% of mobile app revenue in 2022
- Approximately 85% of all app revenue is generated through in-app purchases and subscriptions
- The average lifetime value (LTV) of an app user is $4.50 globally
- The average number of monetized apps per user is 3.2 in 2023
- App store revenue from subscription models makes up approximately 42%
- 40% of apps with monetization features do so through subscriptions
- 72% of mobile app revenue in 2023 comes from in-app purchases
- Globally, 55% of mobile apps with monetization strategies use rewarded video ads
- The median income generated per user in mobile apps is about $2. It varies significantly across categories
- The share of revenue from in-app purchases varies by app category, with gaming at 70% and social at 20%
- The average revenue generated per user per year is approximately $15 for gaming apps and $3 for non-gaming apps
- The percentage share of revenue from subscriptions has increased by 35% over the past three years
Monetization Strategies and Revenue Sources Interpretation
With over 70% of mobile app revenue in 2022 stemming from in-app advertising and a burgeoning trend toward subscriptions—now accounting for 42% of store revenue—it's clear that while the average user’s lifetime value remains modest at $4.50, the burger of monetization is increasingly being layered with in-app purchases, rewarded videos, and a diverse app portfolio, making the mobile app economy a digital poker game where gaming apps lead the chips with a $15 yearly per-user haul, and subscription models have seen a 35% revenue boost over three years—highlighting that in the mobile world, pay-to-play is evolving faster than one can swipe.
Regional and Market Segment Insights
- App monetization by region shows North America generating over 40% of total revenue in 2023
- The average cost to acquire a user through ads varies by region, with Asia-Pacific at around $1.20 and North America at $4.52
Regional and Market Segment Insights Interpretation
While North America claims over 40% of app monetization revenue in 2023, the stark contrast in user acquisition costs—from roughly $1.20 in Asia-Pacific to $4.52 in North America—highlights that in the game of app monetization, regional strategies are as crucial as the revenue itself.
User Engagement and Retention
- The average session length for mobile apps is around 4.2 minutes globally
- User retention rates after 30 days for free apps average around 27%
- 60% of users spend less than 5 minutes daily on mobile shopping apps
- 65% of mobile app users are more likely to make in-app purchases if offered personalized recommendations
- The average user spends about 5.7 hours per week on mobile messaging apps
- The average session length for mobile gaming exceeds 10 minutes in top markets
- The use of rewarded videos as an ad format increases user engagement by 60%
User Engagement and Retention Interpretation
With users fleetingly glancing at apps for mere minutes, yet spending over five hours on messaging, and responding more enthusiastically to personalized perks and rewarded videos, the race for meaningful monetization hinges on delivering tailored, engaging experiences in the brief windows of attention they generously—or fleetingly—afford.
Sources & References
- Reference 1APP ANNIEResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2DATAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3SENSORYDATAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4NEWZOOResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5STATISTAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6INSIDERINTELLIGENCEResearch Publication(2024)Visit source