Google Play Catching iOS App Store in Download Volume, but iOS Still Dominating Revenue

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App Annie today released its latest data on mobile app downloads, finding that continued momentum for Android has allowed the Google Play marketplace to nearly match Apple's App Store in download volume. But while Google Play is making great strides in generating revenue for developers from these downloads, the App Store remains far out in front, indicating that iOS device users in general remain much more willing to pay for content than Android users.

While the iOS App Store and Google Play both had solid gains in app downloads last quarter, Google Play had a higher percentage growth rate as well as a greater gain in absolute downloads. As of Q1 2013, Google Play’s app downloads were close to 90% of iOS App Store downloads.

From Q4 2012 to Q1 2013, iOS App Store quarterly revenue grew by roughly one-quarter. Meanwhile, Google Play app revenue grew by roughly 90%. While Google Play had the higher growth rate, the iOS App Store gained more in absolute revenue and earned about 2.6x that of Google Play in Q1.

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The stark revenue split between Apple and Android was also highlighted in an AllThingsD's interview with MLB.com boss Bob Bowman at the Dive Into Mobile conference yesterday. Bowman noted that while Android is starting to gain some momentum, Apple users continue to represent an outsized share of revenue for Major League Baseball's subscription services.

- His user base, which used to split 80/20 in favor of iOS over Android, has now moved to 70/30. “The Samsung phone is quite a good Android phone,” Bowman said.

- But the uptick in Android users, he said, doesn’t track with revenue. That still splits 80/20 in favor of iOS users. “Maybe even 85/15.”

MLB.com had a significant head start on iOS compared to Android, and Bowman also notes that the lack of low-end iOS devices creates a self-selecting group of users more willing to pay for content.

Top Rated Comments

HenryDJP Avatar
HenryDJP
132 months ago
No matter how big Google's OS gets I still don't want an Android phone.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dennno Avatar
dennno
132 months ago
Piracy is wild on Android. Having an open OS does have its consequences.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KanosWRX Avatar
KanosWRX
132 months ago
I have both a One X and iPhone 5. I like both phones for certain reasons, but I think the reason the app share/revenue split is this way is most likely because most people who buy an android phone aren't really buying it for its smart phone nature. They just go to the store, see 100 different phones and pick a cheap one with a big screen maybe and have no idea what they actually have. Where people with iPhones buy it knowing full well they want apps on the phone and want to use it as a "smart" phone. All you have to do is look at the mobile phone market share for web browsing and revenue for the apps and you can clearly see this. I bet half the people who own and android phone don't even download apps, or if they do, only free ones.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frayne182 Avatar
frayne182
132 months ago
Use both. Both have their pros and cons, but at this point I barely notice a different in terms of content.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
Plutonius
132 months ago
You sound like you're taking my post very personally in a very sensitive way. Do you have some sort of business employ or financial relationship with Google? It's my decision and that's how I feel and I don't need to explain to you why I chose an iPhone. Funny though, I didn't even mention I chose an iPhone and you came down on the Mac very hard. Wonder wonder? :rolleyes:

Don't feel bad. Almost all of iGrip's post are extremely negative towards Apple and the people who use Apple products.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HenryDJP Avatar
HenryDJP
132 months ago
Don't feel bad. Almost all of iGrip's post are extremely negative towards Apple and the people who use Apple products.

Thank you! I see it now. I didn't think I was the only one that saw this. Thank goodness he/she doesn't decide the fate of what computer platform I or others use. Some people here need to get an "iGrip". :D
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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