US App Market Statistics (2024)

Louise Wylie

Updated: November 5, 2024

The United States is one of the most lucrative markets for mobile applications, with its large user base and high smartphone saturation. Around four in five members of the US population possess a smartphone and that has remained relatively steady for the last five years.

As stay-at-home orders were issued in many US states in 2020, the public's use of mobile apps grew. While this has slowed down or reversed in the years since, the app market remains above pre-pandemic levels. Users in the United States spend more than four hours a day on apps - a rise of over an hour compared to before the coronavirus pandemic.

The US is third in terms of overall downloads behind China and India and second only to China in consumer spend on mobile.

The apps American users are downloading cover personal finance, gaming, shopping, social media, entertainment and more. The gaming sector has had particular success in adapting to mobile and generating revenue.

Some commentators predict a growing demand for app personalisation. More and more apps are utilising AI technology to target marketing messages and tailored content.

Gen Z users are disproportionately likely to spend time on photo and video editing apps, where AI has also managed to make waves with filters and special effects. 18 to 24-year-olds are also the most likely age group to have short video apps such as TikTok and Instagram.

We have collected data and statistics on the US mobile app market. Read on below to find out more.

Key US App Market Statistics

  • The US app market generated $44.9 billion in 2023, an increase of $2 billion on the year prior
  • There were 12.5 billion apps downloaded in the United States in 2023
  • Smartphone users spent 217 billion hours on mobile apps last year
  • Google One generated the most revenue in the US at $515 million
  • Candy Crush Saga was the top grossing app in the US, with $485 million in consumer spending