App downloads hit 113 billion in 2018, $76 billion spent on paid apps
According to preliminary numbers from app analytical firm App Annie (via Tech Crunch), app downloads rose in number in 2018 to 113 billion. That is a 10% hike over last year. Spending on apps also rose to over $76 billion. That is a 20% increase from 2017. The numbers were crunched from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store through December 15th, 2018. Mobile gaming took in the most money from consumers, not a huge surprise. For 2019, App Annie sees spending on apps, including third party stores in China, ringing up $122 billion in sales.
For this year, the average smartphone user spent 3 hours a day using apps, up 10% from last year and 20% from 2016. The top non-game apps in both app stores combined, ranked by installs, shows Facebook Messenger on top, followed by Facebook. WhatsApp was third, with heavily marketed 15-second video app TikTok fourth. Instagram rounds out the top five. The top five games by downloads were Helix Jump, Subway Surfers, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire and Love Balls.
The top apps based on revenue from both the App Store and Google Play Store combined, start with streaming video app Netflix on top of the list, followed by dating app Tinder. In third place was China's Tencent Video followed by IQIYI, and Pandora Music. The top mobile gaming apps in order of revenue collected last year begins with Fate/Grand Order at number one. That game was followed by Honour of Kings, Monster Strike, Candy Crush Saga and Lineage M. For those interested, Pokemon GO finished seventh.
Check out the top ten apps by downloads and revenue by clicking on the slide show below.
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