Apple's US App Store Revenue Surpasses 10 Billion Amid Legal Shifts

Apple’s U.S. App Store revenue has seen remarkable growth, more than doubling from approximately $4.76 billion in 2020 to over $10.1 billion in 2024, according to an analysis by app intelligence firm Appfigures. This surge highlights the App Store’s vital role in Apple’s ecosystem and its substantial contribution to the company’s overall revenue.

In 2024, U.S. developers generated $33.68 billion in gross revenue through apps and games using Apple’s payment system, with $23.57 billion remaining after Apple’s commission cut. Globally, Appfigures estimates the App Store earned $91.3 billion in revenue in 2024, with Apple’s commission totaling over $27.39 billion. These figures differ from Apple’s own reports due to differing methodologies in calculating “billings and sales.”

Apple’s reported figures include revenue attributed to the App Store based on user engagement, even if purchases occur outside the platform. For example, if a user subscribes to a service like Hulu on the web but primarily uses it on Apple devices, Apple credits itself with facilitating a proportional share of that revenue. This approach inflates Apple’s reported App Store-related revenue compared to third-party analyses.

The significance of App Store revenue has come under scrutiny following a landmark court ruling that prohibits Apple from charging its standard 27% commission on transactions completed outside the App Store. This ruling stems from Apple’s antitrust battle with Epic Games and has forced Apple to update its policies, allowing developers to include external payment links without incurring commissions or facing restrictive barriers.

Several major apps, including Spotify, Amazon Kindle, and Patreon, have quickly adopted external payment links to bypass Apple’s commission fees. This shift challenges Apple’s long-standing revenue model and has prompted the company to appeal the court’s decision, arguing that the ruling causes “grave irreparable harm” to its business.

Developers and industry observers widely believe Apple should have reduced commission rates for all developers earlier, rather than selectively offering lower rates to small businesses. Appfigures’ breakdown shows that in 2024, Apple earned approximately $6.28 billion from app commissions and $3.83 billion from games in the U.S. alone, underscoring how crucial these revenues are to Apple’s financial health.

As Apple navigates these legal challenges and evolving market dynamics, the App Store’s revenue model is at a pivotal crossroads. The outcome will have lasting implications for developers, consumers, and the broader app economy, influencing how digital goods and services are monetized on Apple’s platforms.