Apple App Store Developers Generate 1.3 Trillion in 2024 Sales

Ahead of its Worldwide Developer Conference on June 9, Apple shared a significant update on its global App Store business, revealing that developers generated an impressive $1.3 trillion in billings and sales in 2024. Remarkably, 90% of these transactions did not involve paying Apple a commission, highlighting diverse revenue channels beyond Apple's traditional cut.

Breaking down the figures, digital goods and services sales reached $131 billion, fueled by mobile games, photo and video editing apps, and enterprise tools. Meanwhile, physical goods and services soared past $1 trillion, driven by surging demand for online food delivery, pickup, and grocery apps. In-app advertising also contributed significantly, generating $150 billion last year.

Since 2019, spending across digital goods, physical goods, and in-app advertising has more than doubled, with physical goods and services experiencing the strongest growth at over 2.6 times. This growth underscores the App Store's expanding role as a marketplace not just for digital content but also for tangible products and services.

Apple emphasizes that the App Store offers more than just a sales platform; it provides developers with critical infrastructure, tools for app discovery, coding, distribution, analytics, and anti-fraud systems. These investments help developers run their businesses effectively in a mature ecosystem where apps also serve as key selling points for iPhones.

However, Apple's policies have historically restricted developers from hosting and distributing apps independently, a stance that is gradually evolving. A recent U.S. court ruling in favor of Epic Games now requires Apple to allow developers to link to external websites for processing in-app purchases without paying commissions. In Europe, Apple is contesting the Digital Markets Act, which would permit developers to inform users about alternative payment options.

The data comes from an Apple-funded study conducted by economists Professor Andrey Fradkin and Dr. Jessica Burley, who have supported Apple in its antitrust legal battles by highlighting the App Store’s economic impact. The study also notes regional growth trends, with billings and sales more than doubling in the U.S., China, and Europe over the past five years. Digital payment spending in the U.S. alone has grown more than sevenfold since 2019.

With an average of 813 million weekly visitors worldwide, the App Store remains a powerful platform for app discovery and commerce. Apple's continued investments in developer tools and infrastructure reinforce its commitment to supporting a vibrant app ecosystem amid ongoing regulatory and market changes.