Apple Says App Store Drove $406 Billion in U.S. Sales in 2024, Tripling Since 2019

Apple Says App Store Drove $406 Billion in U.S. Sales in 2024, Tripling Since 2019

Apple has announced that its App Store ecosystem generated $406 billion in developer billings and sales in the U.S. alone during 2024, a staggering figure revealed in a new Apple-funded study conducted by Professor Andrey Fradkin of Boston University and economist Dr. Jessica Burley of the Analysis Group.

Importantly, over 90% of these sales involved no commission paid to Apple, according to the report. That’s because much of the activity occurred outside of digital in-app purchases—for example, in retail, food delivery, ride-hailing, or advertising-based models.

From Repair Apps to Record Revenue

Since 2019, the App Store’s total U.S. economic footprint has nearly tripled, jumping from $142 billion to $406 billion. Earnings for U.S.-based developers alone have more than doubled, with small developers seeing a 76% increase in earnings between 2021 and 2024.

Apple CEO Tim Cook celebrated the milestone, noting that the App Store has created “incredible opportunity for app developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses of all sizes.” He emphasized Apple’s continued commitment to providing tools and support to help creators innovate and grow.

Explosive Growth Across Categories

In terms of breakdown:

  • $277 billion came from physical goods and services

  • $75 billion from in-app advertising

  • $53 billion from digital goods and services

Top growth areas included food and grocery delivery, entertainment, and enterprise apps. Travel and food delivery overtook ride hailing in total spending, as users increasingly booked services through apps and restaurants leaned more on mobile ordering platforms.

Meanwhile, games remained the highest-earning category, but developers also saw strong gains in productivity, education, and business apps—fueled by rising AI integration and demand for tools in remote work and learning.

U.S. Developers Are Thriving Globally

With the App Store available in 175 countries and regions, American developers have found massive international success. Many U.S.-made apps have hit the top-5 most-downloaded charts in 170 out of 175 App Store markets worldwide.

Thanks to Apple’s seamless global payment infrastructure, developers can easily monetize their apps internationally while maintaining security and privacy standards. Apple also touted the App Store’s $9 billion in prevented fraud over the last five years and the rejection of 1.9 million apps in 2024 for not meeting quality guidelines.

Empowering the Next Generation of App Creators

Beyond numbers, Apple continues to expand developer support:

  • App Store Connect now offers more robust analytics and easier app management

  • Custom product pages and accessibility tools are helping apps reach more users

  • Apple Developer Forums, Pathways, and Meet with Apple sessions offer ongoing education and support

  • The Apple Developer Academy in Detroit has trained over 1,200 students, teaching coding, AI, app design, and marketing

  • The Apple Foundation Program introduced over 900 more students to app development in partnership with Henry Ford College

The App Store Small Business Program, which reduces commissions for eligible developers, continues to fuel success stories like Slopes—a skiing and snowboarding app created by a solo developer that now serves over 5 million users globally. Slopes has integrated with technologies like ARKit, HealthKit, and Apple Watch to deliver an immersive experience for winter sports fans.

2.9 Million Jobs and Counting

Apple says it supports 2.9 million jobs across the U.S., through:

  • Direct employment

  • Work with domestic suppliers and manufacturers

  • The expansive iOS app economy, which now includes roles in development, design, marketing, customer support, and content creation

What This Means Going Forward

With WWDC just around the corner and AI rapidly reshaping software development, Apple is clearly positioning its App Store not just as a marketplace, but as a powerful economic engine for creators of all sizes.

Whether you're a student in Detroit, a solo developer in Colorado, or part of a growing app team in New York, Apple wants to ensure that anyone with an idea—and a little code—can build a global business from their iPhone.

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