iOS App Market Statistics 2024: Latest Insights for Business People

2024 has been the year for the iOS app market, where innovation meets profitability and businesses secure an edge over their competitors. When it comes to developing feature-loaded and user-centric mobile apps, entering into the iOS ecosystem has become a strategic necessity.

The increasing number of app store downloads tells an extraordinary story in 2024. The App Store has over 1.96 million apps available for download, generating a global app revenue of around $125 billion from global users. Another interesting fact is that almost 49% of users open an iOS app 11+ times each day and use 10 apps per day on average.

This shows that the iOS ecosystem is setting the benchmark high that businesses can’t afford to ignore. If you are an app owner or an entrepreneur, these exciting numbers are not just statistics; they represent opportunities for why the iOS app market is continuously dominating as a great revenue-generating platform.

All these facts and figures sound so fascinating right? But what makes the iOS market so compelling? Apple is known for its premium-quality apps and seamless user experience. That’s why iOS is becoming the first choice for many business owners who are looking ahead to maximize returns.

So, if you are an business owner looking to develop a feature-rich and user-centric app, then you must be aware of the latest iOS app stats. Also, if your business already have an iOS app, you can look at new innovations to enhance the performance of your app.

In this comprehensive blog, you will dive deep into the latest iOS app market statistics 2024. You will also uncover some critical emerging trends, user behaviours, and useful industry insights to help you make more informed decisions.

The Dominance of the iOS App Market in 2024

As the iOS app market growth is booming at a rapid pace, it has cemented its position as one of the top global leaders in the mobile app industry. Apple is already standing strong in developed international markets like the UK, the US, and Canada. The iOS app development market is continuing to drive higher average revenue per user (ARPU).

Here, is an overview of the current iOS app industry : 

• Global iOS app market share: The iOS market share holds 28% and dominates premium app categories.
• User Base: iPhone active users worldwide are estimated to be 1.382 billion with steady growth in emerging markets like Brazil and India. As of September 2024, the number of active users shows a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
• iOS app count: As per the Statista report, over 1.54 million apps are currently live on the App Store with various categories such as healthcare, gaming, and education which are showing the highest growth.

Useful Revenue Insights of the iOS App Market

The App Store generates revenue of $24.97 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. The overall revenue was generated majorly from software, digital content, iTunes, AppleCare, Apple Pay, and licensing. Moreover, Apple’s total revenue for 2024 is estimated to be around $391 billion. Therefore, these statistics 2024 clearly show that investing in an iOS app can help business owners yield substantial returns.

App owners who are looking forward to thriving in the iOS ecosystem should keep in mind that most iOS users are well-known for their higher spending power. iOS users are a lucrative audience and they stay loyal for a long time.

Although, while developing a feature-loaded iOS app, it may cost around $15,000 to $100,000, depending on your app’s complexity. Whereas, the potential for high ROI through subscriptions, in-app purchases, and ads is immense.

While developing an iOS app may cost between $20,000 and $150,000, depending on the app’s complexity, the potential for ROI through in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ads is immense.

As per the latest iOS app stats, over 85% of iOS revenue is generated from subscription-based apps. Thus, we can say that it is a lucrative model for iOS app development agency as well as for owners. Additionally, iOS users spend almost 2.5x more on in-app purchases as compared to Android app users. These exciting numbers highlight iOS as a premium marketplace where users continuously pay for using apps or availing services.

Users look up for free apps on iOS today to download. However, there are still many apps that users need to purchase. The average Apple app store apps cost around <$1. There is a different price distribution of the best paid apps on app store that users pay costing upto $10.00.

It can be a great opportunity for business owners to build a unique, scalable, feature-rich, and user-centric iOS app. So, that you can attract more targeted users and they can use the paid apps and help you to generate more ROI.

( Source: https://42matters.com/ios-apple-app-store-statistics-and-trends)

Dominating iOS App Categories in 2024

Certain app categories are thriving in the iOS ecosystem. If you are a business owner, you can get inspired by these leading app categories dominating the industry and build a feature-rich iOS app.

Some certain iOS app categories are thriving in the iOS app market.

• Gaming

It is one of the most popular mobile app categories. The main reason is that they offer an immersive gaming experience to the users. Moreover, they are accessible and portable. That’s why different types of gaming app categories dominate the iOS app market categories and in-app purchases.

As per the industry reports, the overall revenue for gaming apps on iOS: Core gaming: $1,810 million; Casual gaming: $1,150 million; Hypercasual gaming: $22.07 million which accounts for over 55% of total iOS app revenue.

So, developing a gaming iOS app category helps app owners or entrepreneurs drive more substantial revenues. Partner with a globally-recognized iOS app development company to build an app to drive record-breaking user engagement.

• Shopping

Next comes the shopping iOS app category that is dominating the iOS app market growth. From AI-driven product recommendations to secure payment gateways, these apps are convenient for users and boost user engagement.

As mobile commerce becomes the norm, businesses leveraging iOS shopping apps are gaining a competitive edge by enhancing user experience and streamlining purchase journeys. You can avail ios app development services to build a leading shopping app for your users.

• Social Platforms

The social networking app category is also a popular one because such apps have become an integral part of user’s lives. They are changing the way users interact and share experiences with each other. With the help of AI and ML, these social networking apps are offering more personalized experiences according to the user’s interests. To leverage the latest emerging technologies into your social networking app, you can work with a top leading iOS app development company.

Moreover, the iOS regular updates allow developers to access the latest technologies, APIs, and frameworks to evolve new social features on the app. The Apple ecosystem lays a strong foundation for building immersive platforms. Therefore, business owners can take the best advantage of this opportunity.

• Health & Fitness

Some popular healthcare mobile apps like Headspace and MyFitnessPal have seen almost 25% growth in their downloads. This increase in the number of iOS app downloads showcases that users are interested in wellness. Therefore, if healthcare is your niche, then go should take a step ahead to build one on the iOS platform.

• Productivity

Some of the most popular apps on iPhone that are business-oriented like Notion and Slack are also dominating the professional segment. There is around 15% increase in daily active users.

This image showcases leading iOS app categories based on their downloads in August 2024.

(Source Link: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1497031/ios-apps-downloads-worldwide/)

User Behavior and Preferences

Achieving success by developing an iOS is a milestone journey. You need to first understand the user behavior and preferences to build the best app on app store 2024. Here, we have mentioned some user behavior factors that may impact your iOS app development process:

• The mindset of iOS users: As an iOS app owner, you should know that users prioritize using secure, quality, and high-performance apps. They are more likely to engage with polished apps. So, make sure to develop those apps that your targeted audience likes to navigate.
• Global usage patterns:  Almost 48% of iOS users are from the US, followed by Europe (30%) and Asia-Pacific (20%). Whereas, the average iPhone user downloads 20-30 apps annually, with a preference for social media, entertainment, and e-commerce.

Most Popular iOS Apps in 2024: Which is the Top-Performing App?

Numerous best app on App Store 2024 are breaking the highest records in downloads and engagement. Usually, the most popular apps on iphone are those that address the needs of users and provide an unforgettable user experience.

Most popular iphone apps like TikTok and WhatsApp are maintaining dominance in the iOS app market growth. Some popular emerging apps are also focusing on AI-driven features and sustainability. So, business owners should also stay aware of emerging iOS app development trends to come up with innovative ideas and complete them in the App Store.

Read more: Why TikTok Is The Fastest Growing Social Media App In Canada?

List of Popular iOS Apps in 2024

Here is the list of the best apps in app store in a tabular form : 

( Source: Business of Apps)

Predictions for iOS App Market 2025 and Beyond

The future of the iOS app market is continuously booming and looks brighter than ever. App owners should invest in the upcoming emerging iOS App trends to position themselves as market leader in the upcoming years.

Here are some predictions for the iOS app market for 2025 and beyond :

• AR and VR apps: They are driven by Apple’s Vision Pro headset and its market is going to grow exponentially. So, the integration of emerging technologies like AI, ML, and IoT in latest iOS apps will increase.
• More Personalized Experiences: Apps will make the best use of technologies to know about user preferences to offer customized experiences according to the user’s preferences.
• AI-driven apps: Various tools such as AI chatbots and AI powered productivity enhancers will dominate the iOS app market downloads.
• App Privacy and Security: Users will expect to use more secure iOS apps to ensure that their data is secure. You can avail ios application development services to implement robust encryption methods.
• Increase consumer spending: The user spending on latest iOS apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases is expected to rise $270 billion annually by 2025.
• Sustainability focus: Apart from the above-mentioned apps, green tech apps that promote eco-friendly practices will also rise in terms of popularity.

Conclusion

The iOS app market in 2024 has opened numerous opportunities for business owners who are aiming to grab the attention of the target audience. iOS is becoming a preferable choice as it has higher revenue potential and a strong loyal user base. Therefore, it has become the first choice for all forward-thinking entrepreneurs.

However, to stay ahead in the competitive market, businesses need to leverage the latest market iOS App Trends and align their apps with user preferences. By doing so, you can unlock the path of success in the iOS ecosystem. So, if you are ready to kick-start your journey and mark your app on the App Store, connect with ios mobile app development company now.