With over 3.2 billion smartphone users worldwide, it's not astonishing that the mobile app sector is flourishing. Smartphone penetration and mobile app usage are still growing at a consistent rate, without any indication of slowing down in the near future.
These days everyone has become addicted to their phones. Research says that an average American checks their mobile every 12 min. 10% of people check their mobile once every 4 mins. We use phones at work, home, or outside, even while we're eating, or in bed, as soon as we wake up, whatnot. And of the time spent on mobiles, 88% of mobile time is spent on apps.
This is motivating news for someone who owns an app or plans on building an app. But to be successful 2 things need to happen,
- Users need to install your app.
- Users need to use your app.
We surely know that people are using mobile apps like never before. But that's not enough information for mobile application development. To better understand and claim your share of the billion-dollar industry, you need to understand precisely how people are installing & using mobile apps.
Key Mobile App Stats
- Mobile apps are expected to produce more than $935 billion in revenue by 2023.
- The App Store has 1.96 million apps available for install.
- 2.87 million apps are available for install on Google Play Store.
- 21% of Millennials open a mobile app 50 plus times/day.
- 49% of people open a mobile app over 11 times a day.
- 69% of all US digital media time accounts from mobile apps.
- The average smartphone owner uses 10 apps/day and 30 apps/month.
Mobile App Downloads
Mobile apps by
top app developers 2021 need to be installed to be successful. It sounds easy, but app owners neglect this thought. Having the best app on this planet but no one to install it sounds worse. So before getting people to install your app, you need to spare time to perform proper research. In this article, we will see the most relevant mobile app download stats for 2021.
WorldWide Downloads
People globally are using smartphones & tablets. As smartphone usage grows in popularity, the no. of app installs globally increases too. We're observing growth in app installs each year. This trend will continue in the future as well.
The previous year observed over 204 billion mobile app downloads, which is approx. a 6% rise from the last year.
Free Vs. Paid Downloads
While developing a mobile app, one of the first things you need to determine is your monetization technique. That's why you are developing an app in the first place.
The vast majority of global installs are free, 98% of app revenue globally comes from free apps, and only a fraction of users are ready to pay for downloads.
If you charge for installs initially, some mobile app users will install the app. This is because most people are used to free downloads. But people who install paid apps are more inclined to be engaged. They won't spend money on something, only never to use it.
However, you don't need to charge for downloads to make money with your app. Those having an existing business and having an app to enhance customer experience should absolutely offer free installs. Users don't expect to pay for installs. The reason being that most of the apps available on the App Store & Play Store are offered for free.
App Store Vs. Google Play Installs
There are two operating systems where most people are installing apps. Users with iPhone install apps from the App Store, while Android app users install apps from the Play Store.
Globally there are more installs from Google Play Store. But both stores saw an increase in the % of installs from 2019 - 2020. While the App Store had only a 2.5% growth rate, the Google Play Store installs grew by 31%.
Apple App Store Install Stats
To make your app a success, you need to understand what users want. This is especially true if you're developing an app.
Your app might be transformational in software or concept, but if there's no market for its usage, then you will struggle to get installs.
First, you should understand what app types are being installed the most. Below are the most famous categories on the App Store by share of availability.
But you should remember that your app category needs to be relevant to the app's purpose & functions. So if you own a business or Travel app, you can't just categorize it as a game to try & get more installs.
Google Play Store Install Stats
You can measure the app's success based on penetration. As per Statista, these are the app categories with the highest share among Android users.
This is a good sign of what app types Android users have installed, such as WhatsApp, Netflix, Tinder, Spotify, Snapchat, and TikTok. But just installing it doesn't ensure its usage.
Apple Vs. Google Play Installs Globally
Android rules the global market share. Hence, it's no surprise to see the majority of app installs globally come from the Google Play Store. There is a 50/50 split in the US between the App Store and Play Store. Japan has more no. of App Store downloads than Play Store, but Google Play Store rules every other country.
Conclusion
Mobile apps are a crucial part of our everyday lives. 2021 will be a big year for the mobile app sector. According to research, although mobile app usage and penetration are at an all-time high, we are still trending upward. This is motivating for someone who intends to develop a mobile app or already has one. However, you can't just build and manage an app without keeping updated on the latest research & trends. Hence this guide will help you understand the mobile app sector from a download viewpoint. If you're ready to
develop an app in 2021, connect with Hyperlink Infosystem and discuss your requirements with us and allow us to create an excellent app for you.