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The Apple App Store features millions of applications in a wide range of use cases and devices, from entertainment to productivity, meeting people’s daily needs. New research shows that the developers behind the app are also winning big.
US developer revenue
An Apple-Supported study conducted by Andrei Fludkin, a PhD at the Boston University Questrom School of Business and Economists, from the analysis group, found that the US app store ecosystem had driven $406 billion in developer billing and sales in 2024.
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Apple said that more than 90% of the bills and sales promoted by the App Store do not have to pay Apple a fee. Since 2019, app-based spending on physical goods and services has more than tripled. Research shows that small developers were also successful, with revenues increasing by 76% between 2021 and 2024.
“For over 15 years, the App Store has created incredible opportunities for app developers, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a blog post. “We will continue to invest in powerful tools, technologies and resources to help developers across the US and around the world take their apps to new heights and create transformative experiences for their users.”
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The breakdown of billing and sales revenue comes from a variety of revenue streams, with research estimated that a total of $277 billion in billing and sales was derived from physical goods and services, $75 billion from in-app ads and $53 billion from digital goods and services. Examples of physical goods and services sales include retail spending and grocery delivery, but this survey has increased by more than four times.
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Beyond the US, developers can also monetize worldwide, with many US-created apps leading the US most downloaded app charts.
Tools to create your own apps
Apple is investing heavily in its developer ecosystem to drive the distribution of applications across the app store. For example, App Store Connect gives developers access to the technologies, tools, and analytics they need to deploy their apps optimally. The App Store Small Business program supports small developers. Additionally, the US-based Apple Developer Academy teaches students how to code and develop their own apps.
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With the advent of AI tools, it has made it easier to create your own projects using techniques such as Vibe Coding. This refers to creating your own projects using AI assistance.
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