The App Store ecosystem reached $1.4 trillion in sales and charges in 2025 (according to research by Analysis Group).
90% of total revenue went directly to creators, with no commission withheld by Apple.
Apps with built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) recorded 4x greater revenue growth compared to other apps.
Turnover in Europe has tripled in the last six years. Apple is opening a new Developer Center in Berlin later this year.
Of the $1.4 trillion, $1.1 trillion comes from sales of physical goods/services, $149 billion from digital goods, and $151 billion from in-app advertising.
The economy surrounding the App Store continues to grow at a pace that exceeds initial market estimates. According to Apple’s official announcement, based on a new and extensive study by Analysis Group, the App Store ecosystem facilitated $1.4 trillion in charges and sales during 2025. This figure demonstrates the absolute dominance of software as a driver of global commerce, while also setting new records ahead of the WWDC 2026 conference.
The most notable statistic in the report is that 90% of this economic activity is not subject to Apple’s traditional commission. The vast majority of revenue is for transactions for physical goods and services, where developers and businesses keep 100% of their receipts. The ecosystem has now tripled in size since 2019, supporting 850 million weekly active users in 175 countries and territories.
The App Store Economy in Numbers
Of the $1.4 trillion in 2025, $1.1 trillion is solely for physical goods and services (retail, travel, food delivery). Digital goods and subscriptions generated $149 billion (with Apple’s commission), while in-app advertising revenue reached $151 billion, confirming the diversification of monetization models for developers.
The dominance of physical goods
Analysis Group data clearly shows that apps are the primary means of purchasing physical goods, transforming the smartphone into the ultimate digital wallet. The general retail category ranks first globally, while regional differences are notable. In the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, travel bookings take second place. In Asia (China and South Korea), food delivery surpasses travel.
Advertising and digital services
The $149 billion in digital goods comes mainly from gaming, business applications (SaaS) and video streaming platforms. At the same time, the huge figure of $151 billion from in-app advertising shows that the ad-supported model, where users enjoy free services in exchange for viewing targeted ads, remains extremely strong, driven by social media and free-to-play games.
AI as a revenue accelerator
The element that stands out in this year’s analysis, demonstrating in practice the integration of new technology into the iOS ecosystem, concerns Artificial Intelligence tools. More than 40 of the top 100 apps in the App Store now incorporate AI features that directly target consumers.
These apps saw 4x the billing growth of the rest of the top 100 apps. Whether it’s health apps that provide personalized analytics through on-device editing, or advanced video editing tools (like CapCut) and productivity, the public is showing their willingness to pay for subscriptions for time-saving features.
Code Development with Agentic AI and Xcode 26
AI integration extends to the core of development tools. With the arrival of Agentic coding in Xcode 26, the code writing process is automated, allowing the IDE to work with increased autonomy towards the developer’s goals. The software takes over time-consuming programming routines, drastically reducing development time (time-to-market) and giving smaller studios the opportunity to implement demanding projects.
European footprint and Albania market
The geographical distribution of development highlights the importance of a local approach. App Store revenue in Europe (as well as in the US) has tripled over the last six years. Wanting to invest in this momentum, Apple is opening a new Apple Developer Center in Berlin, offering the European developer community — including Greek companies, of course — more direct access to infrastructure, laboratories and in-person support.
At the same time, the image conveyed by Apple is completely identical to the albania reality. The dominance of app-commerce is reflected in the rapid development of platforms such as efood or Wolt. These businesses take advantage of the 0% commission for the sale of physical goods via iOS devices. With the widespread acceptance of Apple Pay in Albania, the transition to contactless digital transactions shapes the iPhone as the central tool for everyday consumer spending (from coffee orders to online supermarkets).
