Apple’s App Store Generates Rs. 44,447 Crore in Revenue
Apps developed by Indian creators have made a significant impact on the global market, achieving over 755 million downloads on Apple devices through the App Store in 2024. This surge has led to an impressive Rs. 44,447 crore in developer billings and sales, according to a recent study. Notably, a staggering 94 percent of this revenue was retained by developers and businesses, with no commission paid to Apple, highlighting the growing success of Indian app developers in the global ecosystem.
India-Based Developers Experience Remarkable Growth
A study led by Professor Viswanath Pingali from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, published by Apple, reveals that the global earnings of India-based developers have tripled over the past five years. In 2024, Apple’s ecosystem in India facilitated transactions amounting to approximately Rs. 44,447 crore across various sectors, including retail, travel, food delivery, grocery, and ride-hailing services.
The report indicates that app developers generated Rs. 38,906 crore from the sale of physical goods and services, while in-app advertising contributed Rs. 3,014 crore. Additionally, Rs. 2,527 crore was generated through digital goods and services. The study emphasizes that developers are creating innovative applications, such as Urban Company and Porter, to cater to India’s expanding quick commerce and gig economy sectors.
Interestingly, 79 percent of the reported earnings from India-based developers in 2024 came from users outside the country. Furthermore, 87 percent of these developers were active across multiple global storefronts, showcasing their international reach and appeal.
Top Apps and User Engagement in India
Indian-developed apps have made their mark globally, ranking among the top 100 most-downloaded applications in 70 storefronts outside India. Notable examples include Kiddopia, IDZ, Box Box Club, and LightX. The App Store’s India storefront attracts over 22 million users weekly, with iOS apps being downloaded nearly 1.1 billion times. Remarkably, 38 percent of these downloads were attributed to apps created by Indian developers.
Apple’s ecosystem has particularly benefited small developers through initiatives like the App Store Small Business Programme. This program allows qualifying developers to enjoy a reduced commission rate of 15 percent, resulting in a 74 percent increase in their earnings between 2021 and 2024, as highlighted in the study.
Significant Earnings Growth for Emerging Developers
The study further reveals that more than half of the developers who earned over Rs. 1 crore in the past year had either earned less than Rs. 8 lakh in 2019 or were not listed on the App Store at all. This indicates a significant shift in the landscape for emerging developers, who are now finding success in a competitive market.
The findings underscore the transformative impact of the App Store on India’s developer community, enabling them to tap into global markets and achieve substantial financial growth. As the ecosystem continues to evolve, it is clear that Indian developers are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of app development and digital services worldwide.
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