GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

App Store Industry Statistics

The App Store industry continues to experience strong growth with increasing numbers of apps available and downloads.

Highlights: App Store Industry Statistics

  • As of the third quarter of 2021, there were more than 3 million apps available in the Apple App Store.
  • Gaming apps accounted for approximately 21.57% of active apps on Apple Store in 2020.
  • In 2021, the App Store earned a gross revenue of almost 64.9 billion U.S. dollars.
  • In terms of downloads, TikTok was the most popular app in the Apple App Store in 2020.
  • Over 202.43 billion apps were downloaded from the Apple App Store in 2021.
  • Among categories, 'Games' accounted for the highest percentage of app revenues on the iOS App Store in 2020.
  • Over 299,353 gaming apps were available in the Apple App Store in May 2021.
  • The Apple App Store's sales reached 643 billion USD in 2020, up from 519 billion USD in 2019.
  • In 2020, video games generated about 72.3% of total App Store revenue.
  • The total size of the App Store has grown from 500 apps in 2008 to 1.96 million in 2021.
  • In 2021, an average smartphone user installed 88 apps on their device, of which they actively used about 43.
  • Around 13.5% of the apps in the App Store are paid ones with an average price of $0.99
  • The Apple App Store revenue per download in 2020 is $1.00.
  • "FaceApp" had 2.3 million daily downloads from the Apple App Store at its peak in 2020.
  • Education category apps in the Apple App Store have an average user rating of 3.81/5 in 2021.
  • The top-grossing iPhone app worldwide for November 2021 was TikTok with more than $17 million in user spending.
  • The apps of the 'Education' category have the highest uninstall rate on the App Store among all categories.
  • More than 48% of the publishers in the App Store offer gaming apps.
  • At the end of the first quarter in 2021, the Dutch navigational app "Waze" was downloaded 8.69 million times from the App Store.

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In today’s digital age, mobile applications have become an integral part of our daily lives. With millions of apps available on various app stores, the competition among app developers has never been fiercer. Understanding industry statistics related to app stores is crucial for staying informed about emerging trends, user behavior, and strategic opportunities for success. In this blog post, we will explore key statistics and insights that shed light on the dynamic landscape of the App Store industry.

The Latest App Store Industry Statistics Explained

As of the third quarter of 2021, there were more than 3 million apps available in the Apple App Store.

The statistic indicates that by the third quarter of 2021, there were over 3 million applications offered in the Apple App Store. This vast number of apps signifies the extensive diversity and breadth of choices available to users, ranging from productivity tools to entertainment and beyond. The growth in the number of apps signifies the expanding ecosystem within the Apple App Store and reflects the continuous innovation and development by app creators and developers. As a result, users have a wide array of options to cater to their preferences and needs, contributing to the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the digital marketplace.

Gaming apps accounted for approximately 21.57% of active apps on Apple Store in 2020.

The statistic that gaming apps accounted for approximately 21.57% of active apps on the Apple Store in 2020 suggests that a significant portion of the available apps in the store belong to the gaming category. This data highlights the popularity and prevalence of gaming apps among users, reflecting the growing demand for entertainment through mobile gaming platforms. The relatively high percentage also indicates that developers continue to invest in creating and publishing gaming apps for the Apple Store, likely driven by the potential for revenue and engagement in this competitive market. Overall, this statistic underscores the significance of the gaming industry within the app ecosystem and its influential role in shaping the digital landscape of mobile applications.

In 2021, the App Store earned a gross revenue of almost 64.9 billion U.S. dollars.

The statistic stating that the App Store earned a gross revenue of almost 64.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 reflects the substantial financial success of the platform within the mobile app industry. This revenue figure is a key indicator of the significant economic impact and market dominance of the App Store, highlighting its popularity among consumers and developers. The high revenue generated also underscores the lucrative opportunities for app developers and the potential for continued growth and innovation within the mobile app ecosystem. Overall, the statistic signifies the App Store’s strong position in the global market and its continued relevance as a key player in the digital economy.

In terms of downloads, TikTok was the most popular app in the Apple App Store in 2020.

The statistic indicates that TikTok was the most downloaded app in the Apple App Store during the year 2020. This means that the app had the highest number of downloads compared to all other apps available on the platform, reflecting its popularity among users. This statistic highlights TikTok’s success in attracting a large user base and generating significant interest and engagement from consumers. The high number of downloads suggests that TikTok was able to effectively engage users and appeal to a wide audience, solidifying its position as a leading app in the app store ecosystem for that year.

Over 202.43 billion apps were downloaded from the Apple App Store in 2021.

The statistic “Over 202.43 billion apps were downloaded from the Apple App Store in 2021” indicates the substantial volume of mobile applications that were downloaded by users from Apple’s platform over the course of the year. This statistic highlights the immense popularity and widespread usage of mobile apps, showcasing the significant role they play in consumers’ daily lives. The sheer number of downloads suggests a high level of engagement with app-based services and entertainment, reflecting the evolving digital landscape and the increasing reliance on technology for various activities and functionalities.

Among categories, ‘Games’ accounted for the highest percentage of app revenues on the iOS App Store in 2020.

This statistic indicates that the category of ‘Games’ generated the most revenue among all app categories on the iOS App Store in 2020. This suggests that gaming apps were the most profitable category compared to others such as productivity, social networking, or entertainment apps. The high percentage of app revenues attributed to the ‘Games’ category signifies the popularity and financial success of gaming apps on the iOS platform during that year. This finding may have implications for developers, investors, and marketers in the app industry, highlighting the lucrative opportunities within the gaming sector and the potential for profitability by creating and marketing gaming apps on the iOS platform.

Over 299,353 gaming apps were available in the Apple App Store in May 2021.

The statistic indicates that in May 2021, there were a total of over 299,353 gaming apps available for download on the Apple App Store. This number highlights the significant presence of gaming apps within the app store ecosystem, emphasizing the popularity and widespread availability of gaming content for users. The abundance of gaming apps reflects the growing demand for mobile gaming as a form of entertainment and indicates a competitive market within the app development industry. Developers continue to create and publish new gaming apps to attract users, leveraging the massive reach and accessibility of app stores such as the Apple App Store.

The Apple App Store’s sales reached 643 billion USD in 2020, up from 519 billion USD in 2019.

The statistic highlights the significant increase in sales revenue generated by the Apple App Store from 2019 to 2020, amounting to 643 billion USD and 519 billion USD, respectively. This growth of approximately 24% demonstrates the robust performance and continued popularity of the App Store platform. Factors such as the global shift towards digitalization, increased usage of mobile devices, and the proliferation of app-based services likely contributed to this substantial increase in sales. The statistic reflects the App Store’s thriving ecosystem, which offers a wide range of apps and services, creating ample opportunities for developers and businesses to reach a vast and engaged audience, ultimately resulting in strong financial success for Apple.

In 2020, video games generated about 72.3% of total App Store revenue.

The statistic stating that in 2020, video games generated approximately 72.3% of total App Store revenue indicates the significant impact and dominance of the gaming industry within the mobile application market. This high percentage underscores the popularity and financial success of video games as a category, reflecting the preferences and behaviors of consumers who are willing to spend a substantial amount of money on gaming apps. The data suggests that developers and investors within the App Store ecosystem may find it advantageous to focus on creating and promoting gaming content to capitalize on the revenue potential within this sector.

The total size of the App Store has grown from 500 apps in 2008 to 1.96 million in 2021.

The statistic indicates the remarkable growth of the App Store over the past decade. In 2008, there were only 500 apps available on the store, whereas by 2021, this number had soared to nearly 2 million apps, specifically 1.96 million. This exponential increase demonstrates the rapid expansion and diversification of the digital marketplace for mobile applications. It signifies the vast array of choices available to consumers and the immense opportunities for developers to showcase their creativity and cater to a wide range of user needs and interests. The statistic highlights the evolution of the technology landscape and the importance of mobile apps in our daily lives.

In 2021, an average smartphone user installed 88 apps on their device, of which they actively used about 43.

In 2021, the average smartphone user had 88 apps installed on their device, although they actively used only about 43 of these apps. This statistic highlights the trend of individuals downloading a large number of apps onto their smartphones but primarily engaging with a smaller subset of those applications regularly. The substantial difference between the total number of installed apps and the number of actively used apps suggests that users may prioritize certain apps over others or that they may face challenges in discovering or maintaining interest in a wide range of applications. This statistic provides insight into users’ app utilization habits and informs app developers and marketers about the competition for users’ attention and engagement within the mobile app landscape.

Around 13.5% of the apps in the App Store are paid ones with an average price of $0.99

This statistic indicates that approximately 13.5% of the apps available in the App Store are paid, meaning users need to purchase them to access their full features. These paid apps have an average price of $0.99, suggesting that most of them are relatively inexpensive. This information provides insight into the pricing strategy of developers in the App Store, with a significant portion of apps being offered at a low cost. It also implies that there is a diverse range of both paid and free apps available for users to choose from, catering to different preferences and budget constraints.

The Apple App Store revenue per download in 2020 is $1.00.

The statistic that the Apple App Store revenue per download in 2020 is $1.00 indicates that, on average, for every app downloaded from the Apple App Store in 2020, developers generated $1.00 in revenue. This metric is a reflection of the financial performance of the App Store ecosystem and provides insight into the profitability of apps available on the platform. A higher revenue per download suggests that developers are able to monetize their apps effectively, potentially through in-app purchases, subscriptions, or advertising. This statistic can be used to assess the revenue potential for app developers on the Apple App Store and to understand the financial dynamics of the mobile app market.

“FaceApp” had 2.3 million daily downloads from the Apple App Store at its peak in 2020.

The statistic “FaceApp had 2.3 million daily downloads from the Apple App Store at its peak in 2020” indicates the level of popularity and demand the mobile application experienced during a specific time period in 2020. Specifically, it suggests that the app was downloaded approximately 2.3 million times each day from the Apple App Store at its highest point of popularity that year. This statistic highlights the significant interest and engagement users had with the FaceApp application during that time, potentially due to compelling features, viral trends, marketing campaigns, or other factors that attracted a large number of users to download and use the app regularly.

Education category apps in the Apple App Store have an average user rating of 3.81/5 in 2021.

The statistic indicates that educational category apps available on the Apple App Store in 2021 have received an average user rating of 3.81 out of 5. This average rating suggests that, collectively, users have generally had a positive experience with these educational apps, with the majority of users rating them above average. User ratings provide valuable insights into the quality and user satisfaction of apps, and a rating of 3.81 indicates a relatively favorable perception of educational apps within this category on the Apple platform in 2021.

The top-grossing iPhone app worldwide for November 2021 was TikTok with more than $17 million in user spending.

The statistic indicates that during November 2021, the app generating the highest revenue globally on the iPhone platform was TikTok, with users collectively spending over $17 million on the app. This data point highlights the significant financial success of TikTok within the competitive mobile app market, emphasizing its popularity and user engagement. The high level of user spending underscores the app’s ability to monetize its platform effectively through in-app purchases, subscriptions, or other revenue streams. This information is valuable for understanding the financial landscape of the mobile app industry and the dominant position of TikTok in terms of revenue generation for the specified time period.

The apps of the ‘Education’ category have the highest uninstall rate on the App Store among all categories.

This statistic indicates that the apps in the ‘Education’ category on the App Store experience the highest rate of uninstalls compared to all other categories available on the platform. This could suggest that users are downloading and subsequently removing education-related apps at a relatively higher frequency compared to other types of apps. The high uninstall rate may be attributed to various factors such as user dissatisfaction with app functionality, content quality, or user experience within the education apps. Identifying and addressing the reasons behind the high uninstall rate in the ‘Education’ category could provide insights for app developers and publishers to improve their offerings and retain users more effectively.

More than 48% of the publishers in the App Store offer gaming apps.

The statistic “More than 48% of the publishers in the App Store offer gaming apps” indicates that a significant portion, greater than 48%, of the publishers active in the App Store specialize in producing gaming applications. This suggests that the gaming category is highly popular among app developers within the App Store ecosystem. The statistic highlights the prominence and competitiveness of the gaming industry within the app market, emphasizing the importance of gaming apps as a significant revenue generator and driving force in the mobile application sector.

At the end of the first quarter in 2021, the Dutch navigational app “Waze” was downloaded 8.69 million times from the App Store.

The statistic states that the Dutch navigational app “Waze” was downloaded 8.69 million times from the App Store by the end of the first quarter in 2021. This figure provides insight into the popularity and usage of the app within the Dutch market during the specified time period. The number of downloads can be indicative of the level of interest and demand for the app among users seeking navigation and traffic information. Additionally, it may suggest the app’s competitive positioning within the navigation app landscape in the Netherlands compared to other similar apps. Tracking download numbers over time can help assess trends in app adoption and engagement among users, informing strategies for app developers and marketers to optimize user acquisition and retention.

Conclusion

The App Store industry is continuously evolving and thriving, with impressive statistics showcasing its growth and potential. As mobile technology continues to advance, businesses and developers have great opportunities to innovate and succeed in this dynamic market. By keeping abreast of the latest trends and statistics, stakeholders can make informed decisions to maximize their impact and reach within the App Store ecosystem.

References

0. – https://www.www.statista.com

1. – https://www.buildfire.com

2. – https://www.www.businessofapps.com

3. – https://www.sensortower.com

4. – https://www.www.macrumors.com

5. – https://www.42matters.com

6. – https://www.www.leanplum.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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