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Friday, February 2, 2018

Apps sold for mobile devices generating billions of dollars

©Mark Ollig


The year 2017 saw the revenue from software program applications (apps) downloaded to mobile smartphones and smart devices reach nearly $90 billion.

Google Play, Android’s operating system (OS) app source, along with the Apple iOS App Store generated more than $87 billion in reported app sales.

Those learning to write code understand the satisfaction of seeing their gaming, educational, social, analytical, and other useful app programs working on a mobile device.

Coders are also able to participate in the growing revenue stream generated by app sales.

I belong to an analytics services group providing current app ranking statistics for app coders and companies who sell and offer free apps.

This group posts “Top Charts” showing updated daily app rankings.

The current top 10 free apps downloaded for the iOS mobile operating system platform, in the order of the app’s popularity, category, and owner are:

1. Splashy!, a games app by Voodoo;

2. Knife Hit, a games app by Ketchapp Studio;

3. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream, a photo and video app by Google;

4. Instagram, a photo and video app by Instagram;

5. Messenger, a social networking app by Facebook;

6. Snapchat, a photo and video app by Snap;

7. Facebook, a social networking app by Facebook;

8. Google Maps – GPS Navigation, a navigation app by Google;

9. Netflix, an entertainment app by Netflix;

10. LIKE – Magic Music Video Editor, a photo and video app by BIGO.

The Twitter app for iOS is currently ranked 40th.

The current top 10 list of iOS apps users paid to download to their mobile smart devices are:

1. Minecraft, a games app by Mojang;

2. Pocket Build, a games app by MoonBear;

3. Heads Up!, a games app by Warner Bros;

4. The Room: Old Sins, a games app by Fireproof Games;

5. Plague Inc., a games app by Ndemic Creations;

6. Geometry Dash, a games app by RobTop;

7. NBA 2K 18, a games app by 2K Games;

8. Facetune, a photo and video app by Lightricks;

9. Bloons TD 5, a games app by Ninja Kiwi;

10. Getting Over It, a games app by Bennet Foddy.

The top 10 dollar-earning iOS mobile apps are:

1. Pandora Music, a music app by Pandora;

2. Netflix, an entertainment app by Netflix;

3. Tinder, a lifestyle app by Match Group;

4. YouTube: Watch, listen, Stream, a photo and video app by Google;

5. Candy Crush Saga, a games app by King;

6. Hulu: Watch TV Shows & Movies, an entertainment app by Hulu;

7. Candy Crush Soda Saga, a games app by King;

8. MARVEL Contest of Champions, a games app by Kabam;

9. HBO NOW: Stream TV & Movies, an entertainment app by HBO;

10. Golf Clash, a games app by Playdemic.

Google Play is the official digital distributor of Android OS apps.

The most recent data shows the top 10 free apps downloaded to Android mobile devices are:

1. Run Sausage Run!, an arcade game by TabTale;

2. Messenger – Text and Video Chat for Free, a communication app by Facebook;

3. SnapChat, a social media app by Snap;

4. Wish – Shopping Made Fun, a shopping app by Context Logic;

5. Instagram, a social media app by Instagram;

6. Pixel Art – Color by Number Book, an entertainment app by EasyBrain;

7. Netflix, an entertainment app by Netflix;

8. BuzzVideo-Viral Videos, Funny GIFs, & TV Shows, an entertainment app by TopBuzz;

9. What’s Your Story?, a role-playing app by Ludia;

10. Facebook, a social media app by Facebook.

The Twitter app for Android is currently 74th.

The current top 10 list of paid Android apps are:

1. Minecraft, an arcade app by Mojang;

2. Geometry Dash, an arcade app by RobTop;

3. The Game of Life, a board game app by Marmalade;

4. Ultimate Guitar Tabs & Chords, a music and audio app by Ultimate Guitar;

5. Scribblenauts Remix, a puzzle app by Warner Bros.;

6. Bloons TD 5, a strategy app by Ninja Kiwi;

7. Clue, a board game app by Marmalade;

8. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, an action app by Rockstar Games;

9. HotSchedules, a productivity app by HotSchedules;

10. Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car), a communication app by Ian Hawkins.

The top 10 dollar-earning mobile Android apps are:

1. Candy Crush Saga, a casual app, by King;

2. Pandora Music, a music and audio app by Pandora;

3. Google Drive, a productivity app by Google;

4. Slotomania – Vegas Slots Casino, a casino app by Playtikia;

5. Candy Crush Soda Saga, a casual app by King;

6. Tinder, a lifestyle app by Match Group;

7. MARVEL Contest of Champions, an action app by Kabam;

8. Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, a strategy app by Epic Action;

9. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, a role-playing app by Electronic Arts;

10. Pokémon GO, an adventure app by Niantic.

The following top 10 list shows combined app download rankings, and is sorted by company, its number of unique apps, and headquarters.

1. Facebook, 63, US;

2. Google, 301, US;

3. Tencent, 723, China;

4. Microsoft, 304, US;

5. Alibaba Group, 292, US;

6. Cheetah Mobile, 594, China;

7. Voodoo, 38, France;

8. Outfit7, 52, Cyprus;

9. Ubisoft, 397, France;

10. NetEase, 32, China.

App Annie, an analytics service group, based in San Francisco, CA, is the source for the app data provided in this week’s column. Its website is https://www.appannie.com.