Leading app categories worldwide 2024, by downloads

Published by Laura Ceci, May 19, 2025

Tool apps - such as VPN, browsers, video players, and more - were the most downloaded category worldwide. In 2024, tool apps generated approximately ** billion downloads from global mobile consumers across the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Communication apps were the second most popular app category in the examined period, generating approximately ** billion downloads, while productivity apps ranked third and generated ***** billion downloads.

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Most popular app categories worldwide in 2024, by downloads (in millions)

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Release date

February 2025

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2024

Special properties

Google Play Store and Apple App Store

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Statistics on " Mobile app usage "

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Other statistics that may interest you Mobile app usage

Overview

7

Market metrics

8

App usage and engagement

6

Social media apps

5

Mobile messaging and communication

6

OTT and social video

6

Mobile gaming

6

Spotlight: AI apps

8

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Topics

Mobile app usageAppleSmartphonesiPhoneTablets
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* For commercial use only

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$0 USD
Always free
Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.
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$1,299 USD
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