One of the most common questions developers ask is, “Should I build an app for the App Store or Google Play?” While the answer depends on your product, understanding how consumer spending splits between the two platforms can help guide your decision.
The general consensus is that the App Store generates more revenue. While this might not come as a shock, the actual numbers reveal just how significant the difference is.
App Store Dominates Consumer Spending
According to AppFigures, in September, 84% of all revenue across both platforms came from the App Store, while Google Play contributed just 16%. To put this into perspective, for every dollar spent on Google Play, over five dollars were spent on the App Store.
In terms of raw numbers, consumers spent $16.2 billion on apps and games in September. Of this amount, $13.7 billion came from the App Store, while Google Play accounted for $2.5 billion. These figures represent gross revenue—what users spent on in-app purchases—before Apple and Google took their respective cuts.
If maximizing revenue is your primary goal, starting with the App Store might be the best approach. We’ll keep you updated on market trends to help with future decisions.
Top Categories and Spending Insights
Breaking down spending by category offers more insight into where each platform excels. In September, games were the top revenue-generating category across both stores. Total spending on games reached $5.1 billion, with the App Store accounting for $3.9 billion, or about 75%. This makes the App Store particularly lucrative for gaming apps.
Interestingly, the App Store offers games a smaller share of total revenue compared to other categories, except for one—Purchasing. This suggests that other app categories perform equally well or even better on the App Store, further reinforcing its financial dominance.
Beyond games, the top-performing categories include Entertainment, Lifestyle & Dating, Social, and Photos & Video. Across these, the App Store captures between 83% and 97% of total revenue.
However, Shopping apps stand out as an exception. This category, which ranked 21st overall in terms of revenue, saw just 42% of its spending on the App Store. This difference likely reflects the monetization strategies used by shopping apps, which rely less on in-app purchases. Even so, it’s impressive to see $30 million in consumer spending for shopping apps, notes NIXsolutions.
Conclusion: Where to Focus Your App Strategy
While releasing an app on both platforms has its benefits, the App Store offers stronger financial returns. If revenue is your primary objective, it’s wise to prioritize the App Store initially. Many AI-based apps, including ChatGPT and Claude, have already taken this route—and for good reason.
We’ll keep you updated as trends evolve, ensuring you have the latest insights to make the best decisions for your app development strategy.