Consumer spending on mobile apps reached an impressive $150 billion globally in 2024, marking a 13% year-over-year increase, according to Sensor Tower’s latest State of Mobile report. For the fourth consecutive year, spending on non-gaming apps surpassed that of gaming apps, with a 25% increase in spending on non-gaming apps, compared to a modest 4% growth for games.
AI Apps Lead the Charge with Explosive Growth
The biggest standout in this year’s report was the generative AI category, which saw an astonishing 200% increase in consumer spending, totaling $1.1 billion. Apps like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Doubao contributed to this surge, with this segment poised to crack the top 10 revenue-producing categories within a year. The rise of AI-driven apps has become a key driver of mobile revenue growth, although they still trail behind long-established categories like social media and streaming apps.
Social Media and Streaming Dominate In-App Revenue
Social media and film and television streaming apps remain the dominant revenue generators. Social media apps, particularly TikTok and YouTube, accounted for over 70% of the $11.7 billion spent in this category, driven by in-app purchases and creator tipping. Meanwhile, the streaming sector earned $11.9 billion, with a more competitive landscape of apps, as nine different platforms now contribute at least 3% of total streaming revenue.
Emerging Categories Reflect Shifting Consumer Behavior
While gaming and social media continue to perform well, other app categories are also gaining traction. Food and drink apps saw an 8.5% increase in downloads YoY, reflecting a broader trend of integrating mobile apps into in-person customer experiences. Similarly, finance apps grew by 8%, with digital wallets and mobile banking driving increased time spent on these platforms.
Mobile Becomes a Hub for Purchases and Experiences
As more consumers spend time on mobile devices, they’re becoming increasingly comfortable with making in-app purchases. The shift in app monetization strategies is clear—companies are finding innovative ways to leverage this growing digital engagement. “Apps have shifted their monetization strategies to capitalize on this increased attention,” said Oliver Yeh, CEO of Sensor Tower.
With continued growth across various categories, 2025 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year for mobile app revenue. For more insights, check out the source.