The global app market reached 8.93 million applications across all platforms in 2025, with the Apple App Store hosting approximately 2.02 million apps and Google Play Store listing 1.60 million apps as of November 2025. Total app downloads surged from 137.8 billion in 2024 to a projected 300 billion installs in 2025, marking a significant expansion in mobile software consumption. Revenue generation remains concentrated, with Apple’s App Store producing $103.4 billion compared to Google Play’s $46.7 billion in 2024.
How Many Apps Are Available: Key Statistics
- Apple App Store contains 2,024,842 apps as of 2025, according to 42matters data.
- Google Play Store lists 1,601,477 apps as of November 2025, based on AppBrain tracking.
- Worldwide app availability across all platforms totals approximately 8.93 million mobile applications in 2025.
- Free apps represent 95.35% of the Apple App Store catalog, with only 4.65% being paid applications.
- App downloads reached 137.8 billion globally in 2024, with projections indicating 300 billion installs for 2025.
How Many Apps Are Available on Major Platforms
The Apple App Store maintained its position as the larger repository with 2.02 million applications available for download in 2025. This figure comes from 42matters, which tracks app availability across major platforms.
Google Play Store recorded 1.60 million apps in November 2025, showing a decrease from previous years. This reduction reflects Google’s aggressive cleanup efforts to remove low-quality and malicious applications from the platform.
The combined multi-platform estimate places total worldwide app availability at 8.93 million applications, according to BankMyCell research. This includes apps across iOS, Android, and alternative app stores.
| Platform | Number of Apps | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | 2,024,842 | 2025 |
| Google Play Store | 1,601,477 | 2025 |
| All Platforms (Estimate) | 8,930,000 | 2025 |
App Distribution: Free vs Paid Models
The freemium business model dominates mobile app distribution. On the Apple App Store, 1,929,628 apps are available at no cost, representing 95.35% of all iOS applications.
Paid apps account for just 94,004 applications, or 4.65% of the total App Store catalog. This distribution demonstrates the shift toward in-app purchases and subscription models as primary monetization strategies.
Developers increasingly rely on Android apps and iOS applications that generate revenue through advertisements, premium features, and recurring subscriptions rather than upfront purchase prices.
Global App Download Statistics
Total app and game downloads reached 137.8 billion installations worldwide in 2024, according to Business of Apps data. This figure includes both gaming and non-gaming applications across all major platforms.
Gaming applications accounted for 46.9 billion downloads in 2024, while other app categories generated 91.3 billion installations. Productivity apps showed particular strength, with Google Play Store recording a 23% year-over-year increase in Q1 2025.
The 2025 projection indicates more than 300 billion app installs globally, nearly doubling the 2024 figure. AppInventiv compiled this forecast using Statista data and market trend analysis.
Download Growth by Category
Non-gaming applications dominate download volumes, capturing 66% of all installations. Entertainment, social media, and productivity apps drive the majority of downloads outside the gaming sector.
The overall download count decreased by 1% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting market maturation despite continued category-specific growth. Platform quality controls and user behavior changes contributed to this slight decline.
How Many Apps Generate Revenue: Platform Comparison
The Apple App Store generated $103.4 billion in revenue during 2024, maintaining its lead as the highest-grossing mobile application marketplace. This figure includes app purchases, in-app transactions, and subscription payments.
Google Play Store produced $46.7 billion in revenue for the same period, less than half of Apple’s earnings. The revenue gap persists despite Google Play hosting more active users globally.
| Platform | 2024 Revenue | Percentage of Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | $103.4 billion | 68.9% |
| Google Play Store | $46.7 billion | 31.1% |
iOS users demonstrate higher spending patterns per capita compared to Android users. Premium pricing strategies and affluent demographics contribute to Apple’s revenue advantage.
Platform Quality Control and Store Cleanup
Google Play Store removed thousands of applications throughout 2024 as part of enhanced quality control measures. The Verge reported on these cleanup initiatives aimed at eliminating malicious and low-performing apps.
Apple also tightened review processes, rejecting applications that fail to meet updated privacy and security standards. These enforcement actions explain why app counts remain relatively stable despite continuous new submissions.
The stricter policies benefit users by reducing Google Play Store clutter and improving overall app quality. However, developers face longer approval times and more stringent compliance requirements.
Impact on App Availability
Platform cleanup efforts reduced the Google Play Store catalog from previously higher figures to the current 1.60 million apps. This represents a conscious decision to prioritize quality over quantity.
The trend toward selective curation benefits established developers with resources to meet platform requirements. Smaller developers face increased challenges maintaining app store presence.
Regional App Distribution Patterns
App availability varies significantly across geographic markets. Developers often release applications in specific regions based on language support, payment infrastructure, and local regulations.
Emerging markets show rapid growth in app adoption, particularly for financial services and educational applications. Mobile-first populations in Asia and Africa drive demand for locally relevant software solutions.
Region-locked apps account for approximately 15% of total app availability, with developers using geographic restrictions for licensing, content, and business strategy reasons.
App Category Distribution
Gaming applications represent the largest single category by both volume and revenue. Entertainment and social networking apps form the second-largest segment across both major platforms.
Productivity applications experienced notable growth in 2025, with a 23% increase in downloads on Google Play Store during Q1. Remote work trends and digital collaboration needs fueled this expansion.
Educational apps gained market share as institutions adopted Chromebook Plus AI features and mobile learning platforms. Healthcare and fitness categories also showed strong year-over-year growth.
Future Projections for App Availability
Market analysts expect total app availability to stabilize around current levels as platforms maintain quality-focused curation. The emphasis shifts from quantity to user engagement and retention metrics.
Revenue projections indicate continued growth despite stable app counts. Subscription models and in-app purchases will drive increased monetization efficiency across existing applications.
The 300 billion download projection for 2025 suggests sustained user demand despite market maturation. App reinstalls and updates contribute significantly to this installation volume.
FAQ
How many apps are on the Apple App Store in 2025?
The Apple App Store contains approximately 2,024,842 apps as of 2025, according to 42matters data. This includes both free and paid applications across all categories available for iOS devices.
How many apps are available on Google Play Store?
Google Play Store lists 1,601,477 apps as of November 2025, based on AppBrain tracking. This figure reflects Google’s recent cleanup efforts to remove low-quality and malicious applications from the platform.
What percentage of apps are free to download?
Approximately 95.35% of apps on the Apple App Store are free to download, totaling 1,929,628 applications. Only 4.65% of apps require an upfront purchase, with most monetizing through in-app purchases or subscriptions.
How many app downloads occurred globally in 2024?
Global app downloads reached 137.8 billion installations in 2024, including 46.9 billion game downloads and 91.3 billion non-gaming app downloads. Projections indicate this will increase to over 300 billion installs in 2025.
Which app store generates more revenue?
The Apple App Store generated $103.4 billion in 2024, more than double Google Play Store’s $46.7 billion. iOS users demonstrate higher per-capita spending despite Android’s larger global user base.
Sources:
42matters – Mobile App Intelligence