App Downloads Dip, but Consumer Spending Soars
For the fifth consecutive year, global mobile app downloads declined in 2025, while consumer spending on apps continued to rise, according to TechCrunch.
The annual report by app analytics firm Appfigures shows that last year, combined downloads from the App Store and Google Play reached nearly 106.9 billion, marking a 2.7% decline compared to 2024. Meanwhile, consumer spending on apps surged to around $155.8 billion, up 21.6% year-on-year.
The report notes that emphasis on subscriptions and in-app purchases enabled developers to generate higher revenue despite fewer downloads.
Mobile games generated $72.2 billion, accounting for 46% of total spending, while non-game apps experienced the fastest growth, climbing 33.9% to $82.6 billion.
In the United States, consumer spending in the app sector rose to $55.5 billion, even as downloads fell 4.2%.
Analysts highlight that subscription-based models have become the main driver of the app economy.
DBTech/BMT/OR
