Apple App Store facilitated a whopping $1.3-trillion worth of transactions worldwide in 2024

At the start of the Apple App Store on July 10, 2008, it had just 500 applications for iPhones. Since then, it has grown bigger with each passing year and now, in 2025, it is home to a staggering 2.9-million-plus applications available in close to 200 nations worldwide.

Apple App Store is appealing to both the consumers and the developers. Why? you might ask. Compared to other platforms, Apple Store's robust security ensures it is well protected against malware and fraud. And, it is also more lucrative for developers to offer service with a premium fee and people are ready to ready to pay for it.

Now, Apple has commissioned a report by economists—Professor Andrey Fradkin from Boston University Questrom School of Business and Dr. Jessica Burley from Analysis Group—and they have solid numbers to show as proof.

In 2024, the Apple App Store facilitated a whopping $1.3 trillion (approximately Rs 1,11,49,450 crores/ Rs 111.49 lakh crore) in sales and billings.

The interesting thing is that Apple, which usually gets flack for charging a 30 per cent premium gatekeeping charge on app developers, has offered a lot of concessions to small firms.

Almost 90 per cent of earnings from $1.3 billion transactions done on the App Store, were accrued solely to the developers and they did not pay any commission to Apple at all.

Around $131 billion of bills on the App Store was driven by games, photo and video editing apps, and enterprise tools. And $1 trillion was fueled by sales of physical goods and services, including food orders, cab-hailing services, and bookings on e-commerce apps.

The study also revealed that in-app advertising revenue from ads placed by developers in their apps was $150 billion.

In India alone, the Apple App Store facilitated a record $5.31 billion (around Rs 44,447 crore) in billings and sales in 2024. Last year, App Store developers generated around $4.65 billion (roughly Rs 38,906 crore) in total billings and sales from the sale of physical goods and services. Here too, 95 per cent of developers did not have to pay any commission to Apple.

For the benefit of budding startups and small app developer firms, the tech major has set up multiple Apple Development Centres, including one in Bengaluru, India.

It not only offers access to advanced software tools but also an opportunity to build networks with investors and train them to scale their service overseas to access wider audiences globally.

App Store’s commerce system supports developers with more than 40 local currencies and provides seamless tax handling in nearly 200 regions. Apple also helps developers to set prices, manage subscriptions, and more.

Early next week, Apple will kick start the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 in Cupertino on June 5. It is expected to announce new software features in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS for its products and also tools for app developers.

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