Global App Revenue Grew 32% Year-Over-Year in Q3 2020

Global mobile app revenue reached $29.3 billion in the third quarter of 2020, representing a 32 percent year-over-year increase. This growth, driven by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior, also saw total app installs climb to 36.5 billion, a 23.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019. These findings are based on preliminary Store Intelligence estimates covering worldwide activity on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Revenue growth was robust across both major platforms. Apple’s App Store generated $19 billion, a 31 percent year-over-year increase, while Google Play revenue grew 33.8 percent to $10.3 billion. In terms of adoption, Google Play continued to lead in volume, recording 28.3 billion new installs—more than three times the 8.2 billion installs recorded on the App Store.

The mobile gaming sector remained a primary contributor to overall spending, accounting for $20.9 billion of the total revenue, a 26.7 percent year-over-year increase. Tencent’s Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile secured the top two spots for game revenue, while Among Us emerged as the most downloaded game of the quarter. Among non-game applications, TikTok maintained its position as the highest-earning app globally, despite regulatory challenges in key markets. Other top-performing non-game apps included YouTube, Tinder, Tencent Video, and Disney+. Overall, the data underscores a sustained shift in global digital consumption patterns, with mobile platforms serving as essential hubs for both entertainment and remote connectivity.