Subscriptions boost mobile, gaming app earnings in 2025 to $155 billion: Appfigures

The number of apps and mobile game downloads from app marketplaces like Google Play Store and App Store in 2025 witnessed a 2.7% drop compared to 2024, yet it reached an estimated 106.9 billion.

Despite a downturn in mobile app and game downloads, the subscription economy registered a notable boost through mobile app revenues in 2025.

Citing data from Appfigures' annual report, TechCrunch noted that app downloads fell for the fifth consecutive year.

Consumer spending surged 21.6% to an estimated $155.8 billion during the same period.

This data indicates that app developers and publishers have successfully encouraged users to make in-app purchases or buy subscriptions, notwithstanding a decline in new user downloads.

The report also highlighted a shift away from mobile games as the primary revenue driver.

Consumers spent $72.2 billion on mobile games, making approximately 46% of overall spending within mobile apps. While this figure represents a 10% year-on-year increase, spending on non-game mobile apps surged by 33.9%, reaching $82.6 billion in 2025.

Although consumers may be frustrated by the rise of in-app purchases and subscription models, these strategies have provided a more sustainable revenue stream for developers.

Moreover, the shift towards ongoing payments has led to an ecosystem that supports mobile apps.

Major companies include RevenueCat, which raised $50 million in Series C funding, and Appcharge, which secured $58 million in Series B funding.

Mobile game downloads fell to 39.4 billion, down 8.6% compared to the year before, while non-game app downloads remained relatively flat at 67.4 billion.