In 2024, the mobile app market continues to grow at a rapid pace, driven by global shifts in digital consumption, remote work trends, and evolving consumer behaviour. With more than 4 billion smartphone users worldwide, apps are now an essential part of daily life, used for everything from social media and entertainment to banking and grocery shopping. This article explores the most downloaded apps of the year, industry trends, and the driving factors behind this year's explosive app growth.
The most downloaded apps of 2024
User engagement: apps as everyday essentials
Key trends shaping the app market
Conclusion: the future of mobile apps
The most downloaded apps of 2024
Despite the rise of new app categories and innovations, familiar names continue to dominate global download charts. As of 2024, the following popular apps lead the pack:
- TikTok
- CapCut
TikTok remains the most downloaded app worldwide, reflecting the enduring appeal of short-form video content. Instagram and other Meta-owned popular apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp continue to hold significant global reach, capitalising on their large, established user bases. CapCut, a video editing app owned by ByteDance (TikTok's parent company), rounds out the top five, driven by the growing demand for user-generated content and the need for simple, mobile-friendly editing tools.
User engagement: apps as everyday essentials
Mobile apps are now integral to the modern lifestyle. The average smartphone user accesses around 30 different top apps per month and opens apps over 11 times per day. Notably, 49% of users open their favourite apps more than 11 times daily, highlighting the extent to which digital platforms have become ingrained in daily routines.
In terms of app availability, Apple's App Store offers 1.96 million apps, while Google Play Store boasts 2.87 million apps for Android users. With this abundance of options, app developers are constantly innovating to capture user attention, focusing on personalisation, usability, and seamless experiences.
Key trends shaping the app market
1. Mental wellness apps: a booming industry
With increased awareness around mental health, wellness apps have surged in popularity. From guided meditation to cognitive behavioural therapy, these top trending apps in the world offer support for stress management, anxiety, and overall well-being. The global market for mental health and wellness apps is expanding rapidly, showing a clear shift toward self-care in the digital age.
2. E-commerce apps: on track to $7.4 trillion
As the e-commerce sector continues to thrive, popular apps that enable users to shop online have seen remarkable growth. With platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers, consumers are increasingly turning to mobile apps for convenience. By 2025, the e-commerce app market is projected to reach$7.4 trillion in revenue, driven by increased mobile penetration and the popularity of online shopping.
3. Productivity and remote work apps: supporting the hybrid work model
The rise of remote and hybrid work has led to a surge in demand for top apps that facilitate communication and collaboration among distributed teams. Tools like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams are now essential for many businesses, and new productivity apps are emerging to meet the evolving needs of a global workforce.
4. Finance apps: a rising star
Finance apps are seeing unprecedented growth, with 73% of smartphone having used a finance app in the past month. The increase in popularity is due in part to growing interest in personal finance, investing, and digital banking. Searches for investment and stock trading apps have surged by 115% year-over-year, while finance apps have seen a 90% increase in global market share.
One notable player in the finance app market is Profee, a digital payment app that allows clients to transfer money seamlessly from Europe and the UK. Profee offers several key benefits: 0% commission on the first transfer, favourable exchange rates, and a quick registration process that takes just a few minutes. For customers looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to send money across borders, Profee is becoming an essential tool, especially given the rise of remittance services in the app economy.
5. Education and e-learning apps: continued expansion
As online learning becomes more mainstream, education and e-learning apps are experiencing tremendous growth. From language learning apps like Duolingo to platforms offering professional courses, the shift toward remote and self-paced learning is shaping the future of education. These top trending apps in the world cater to students, professionals, and lifelong learners alike, offering accessible and affordable learning opportunities.
6. Grocery apps: meeting consumer needs
Grocery delivery and pickup apps, such as those offered by Amazon, Walmart, and Target, have become household staples and one of the most downloaded apps . Consumers now expect the convenience of shopping for groceries online and having them delivered to their doorsteps. This trend, which gained momentum during the pandemic, continues to grow as users appreciate the time-saving benefits of these services.
7. Pet apps: a growing niche
With rising pet ownership, popular apps catering to pet care, health, and supplies are seeing an increase in demand. These top apps provide a wide range of services, from ordering pet food to booking veterinary appointments. As people spend more on their pets, this niche market is rapidly expanding, offering significant opportunities for developers.
Revenue projections: the billion-dollar market
The global app market is expected to generate more than $935 billion in revenue by the end of 2024, driven by in-app purchases, subscriptions, and advertising. As more businesses go digital, the mobile app industry will continue to grow, with a focus on personalised experiences and new monetisation strategies.
Conclusion: the future of mobile apps
The most downloaded apps of 2024 reflect the shifting priorities and behaviours of global consumers. From the continued dominance of social media and entertainment apps like TikTok to the rapid growth of finance, e-commerce, and wellness apps, the app market is more diverse and dynamic than ever. As the world becomes increasingly digital, mobile apps will continue to shape how we communicate, shop, work, and manage our lives.
For clients seeking to streamline their financial activities, apps like Profee offer convenient solutions for transferring money with 0% commission on the first transfer and competitive exchange rates, all within minutes. As the popularity of finance apps continues to grow, Profee stands out as a top app for international money transfers.
With mobile technology advancing rapidly, it’s clear that apps will remain essential to our lives, and questions like "what is the most downloaded app" or "what is the most used app" will continue to spark interest as the app market evolves.
