Apple Study: App Store Ecosystem Generated $1.3 Trillion Globally in 2024

[MacRumors]

Following a study looking into the success of the App Store ecosystem in the United States, Apple has sponsored a second study that covers the global App Store in 2024.

Apple's global App Store ecosystem supported an estimated $1.3 trillion in billings and sales across 2024, and for 90 percent of those sales, developers did not pay a commission to Apple.

"It's incredible to see so many developers design great apps, build successful businesses, and reach Apple users around the world," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "This report is a testament to the many ways developers are enriching people's lives with app and game experiences, while creating opportunity and driving new innovations. We're proud to support their success."

Developer billings and sales of digital goods and services hit $131 billion, primarily from games and photo and video editing apps like those from Adobe. Sales of physical goods and services facilitated by App Store apps exceeded $1 trillion.

Over the last five years, spending in digital goods and services, physical goods and services, and in-app advertising has more than doubled, with the strongest growth in physical goods as people are increasingly using apps to order food and groceries.

The App Store draws more than 813 million average weekly visitors globally, with Apple's commerce system supporting developers with more than 40 local currencies and tax handling in 200 regions.

As with Apple's U.S. study, the global study highlights the App Store benefits and tools available to developers, including the more than 100 technical sessions that will come out next week during the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference.

The study's release comes as Apple is facing regulatory and legal pressure over its App Store rules in multiple countries. In addition to being forced to allow developers to direct customers to web-based purchase options in the U.S., Apple is also continuing to struggle with the Digital Markets Act in Europe. Apple is currently fighting DMA interoperability requirements that require it to give third-party developers access to iOS features that are normally limited to Apple's own products, and it has faced fines for compliance issues.

The full study is available through Apple's Newsroom article.

Article Link: Apple Study: App Store Ecosystem Generated $1.3 Trillion Globally in 2024

 

[germanbeer007]

developers should be thanking apple. but greedy tim sweeney wants more money

 

[Living the Dream]

developers should be thanking apple. but greedy tim sweeney wants more money

Imagine Apple having to pay Microsoft for iTunes on their platform OR if Microsoft blocked Apple from having iTunes on their platform. The company would not be where it is today.

Apple is being a complete control freak on iPhone, iPad, etc when they allow anyone and everyone to publish free on MacOS as does Microsoft with Windows.

 

[mystery hill]

developers should be thanking apple. but greedy tim sweeney wants more money

Apple should be thanking developers. How many iPhones would they sell if there were no third-party apps?

 

[Rogifan]

We should be skeptical of any studies commissioned/sponsored by Apple. It’s not much more than PR spin.

 

[germanbeer007]

Imagine Apple having to pay Microsoft for iTunes on their platform OR if Microsoft blocked Apple from having iTunes on their platform.

If customers want iTunes so bad on Windows and Microsoft blocked it, customers would leave Windows and get a Mac which means Apple would be better off. Clearly Microsoft doesn't want Apple to sell more Macs so they didn't block iTunes

See how that works?

 

[Aeronauts]

developers should be thanking apple. but greedy tim sweeney wants more money

It works both ways. Apple should be thanking developers. Without them the iPhone would not have been so successful.

 

[germanbeer007]

Apple should be thanking developers. How many iPhones would they sell if there were no third-party apps?

Why would Apple block 100% of developers from their platform? That makes no sense.

 

[klasma]

I wonder whether that trillion+ could have been put to better use.

Which by the way wasn’t “generated”, but spent by customers.

 

[germanbeer007]

It works both ways. Apple should be thanking developers. Without them the iPhone would not have been so successful.

Developers should be thanking Apple more. Apple earns more for developers even though Android has more than double marketshare. Clearly Apple is doing something more than Google to help devs earn more

 

[WarmWinterHat]

If customers want iTunes so bad on Windows and Microsoft blocked it, customers would leave Windows and get a Mac which means Apple would be better off. Clearly Microsoft doesn't want Apple to sell more Macs so they didn't block iTunes

See how that works?

No one would buy a Mac to use iTunes, and Apple knew that. Same as (next to) no one would buy the iPhone if it didn't have developers producing 3rd party apps.

 

[Aeronauts]

That money won’t suddenly disappear. It will simply get redistributed. Apple will still dominate the AppStore marketplace.

 

[Living the Dream]

If customers want iTunes so bad on Windows and Microsoft blocked it, customers would leave Windows and get a Mac which means Apple would be better off. Clearly Microsoft doesn't want Apple to sell more Macs so they didn't block iTunes

See how that works?

This makes no sense, because the reason iPod exploded in sales was when it went to Windows. People weren't buying Macs at that time to utilize an iPod, because people wouldn't have been using the iPod if it didn't work with Windows. You probably don't see how that works though; so I'm not surprised.

 

[germanbeer007]

No one would buy a Mac to use iTunes, and Apple knew that. Same as (next to) no one would buy the iPhone if it didn't have developers producing 3rd party apps.

Plenty would leave Windows if Microsoft arbitrarily blocked whatever it wants for no valid reason

 

[germanbeer007]

This makes no sense, because the reason iPod exploded in sales was when it went to Windows.

If Microsoft arbitrarily blocked whatever it wants for no valid reason, plenty would leave to Mac

 

[Aeronauts]

Developers should be thanking Apple more. Apple earns more for developers even though Android has more than double marketshare. Clearly Apple is doing something more than Google to help devs earn more

It’s a symbiotic relationship. Both parties need each other. However, that doesn’t mean Apple should be allowed to abuse their gatekeeper position.

 

[germanbeer007]

It’s a symbiotic relationship. Both parties need each other. However, that doesn’t mean Apple should be allowed to abuse their gatekeeper position.

one needs more than the other.

apple isn't abusing their position

 

[Plerf]

Imagine Apple having to pay Microsoft for iTunes on their platform OR if Microsoft blocked Apple from having iTunes on their platform. The company would not be where it is today.

Apple is being a complete control freak on iPhone, iPad, etc when they allow anyone and everyone to publish free on MacOS as does Microsoft with Windows.

As always, there’s an alternative.

I’m told that it’s cheaper and better, too! 😂

 

[Aeronauts]

one needs more than the other.

apple isn't abusing their position

You’re wrong on both points.

 

[AdamHarbour]

And no one missed you mr Epic Tim Sweeny !

 

[Aeronauts]

And no one missed you mr Epic Tim Sweeny !

Clearly some people did given that Epic Games is now the number 1 download app on the AppStore.

 

[shadowcatz23]

It works both ways. Apple should be thanking developers. Without them the iPhone would not have been so successful.

But also without an iphone or iOS how many of these devs would have even created any apps to generate money. It is kinda the chicken and the egg. but Apple in the end probably took the bigger leap of faith that the iphone would be a hit, than a dev that came along later to an established ecosystem.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

But also without an iphone or iOS how many of these devs would have even created any apps to generate money. It is kinda the chicken and the egg. but Apple in the end probably took the bigger leap of faith that the iphone would be a hit, than a dev that came along later to an established ecosystem.

The iPhone was never supposed to have 3rd party Apps or an App store. That was an afterthought.

 

[germanbeer007]

You’re wrong on both points.

Usually people say "you're wrong because ______" to support their argument. 🤷‍♂️

 

[I7guy]

You’re wrong on both points.

On that note you’re wrong on one point. App Store is a thriving business. Kudos to Apple for making a successful digital marketplace.