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App Store Increases Revenue Lead Over Google Play in Q1 2015

Wednesday April 15, 2015 1:23 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple's App Store increased its revenue lead by 10 percentage points over Google's Play Store in the first quarter of 2015, according to the latest numbers from App Annie obtained by The Wall Street Journal. The App Store's revenue was also almost 70% higher than the Play Store, despite Google Play receiving 70% more app downloads during the three-month period ending March.

App Store Google Play Q1 15
Apple's increased App Store revenue helped it reverse a trend that saw Google Play slowly catch up in revenue over recent quarters, although the Play Store continued to widen its lead in overall downloads. Apple previously held about a 60% advantage in App Store revenues over Google Play during the third quarter of 2014, but that figure rose to about 70% in Q1 2015 on the strength of the United States and China.
"China was a bright spot for Apple – mirroring the strong market share gains that the iPhone made in the country. Apple’s larger-screen iPhone 6 and 6 Plus proved immensely popular in the Chinese market where consumers prefer bigger display smartphones.

In the first quarter of 2015, China passed the U.S. as the top country for iOS app downloads, App Annie said. China still trails the U.S. and Japan for App Store revenue. The Google Play store does not operate officially in mainland China."
The disparity between the App Store and Google Play in terms of overall revenue and downloads is a longstanding trend between the iOS and Android storefronts. A number of popular developers turn to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch because Apple's ecosystem provides a more lucrative opportunity for earnings, while Google Play receives more downloads because there are significantly more Android users worldwide.

Tags: App Store, Google Play
[ 68 comments ]


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KdParker
57 months ago
To a developer...this is old news. Makes converting apps to work with Android not worth the time and effort.
Rating: 12 Votes
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k995
57 months ago

To a developer...this is old news. Makes converting apps to work with Android not worth the time and effort.


Yeah google has a what? 7 billion $ market? "If it aint got double digit in billions it aint worth it" , am I right or what?
Rating: 8 Votes
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KdParker
57 months ago

Yeah google has a what? 7 billion $ market? "If it aint got double digit in billions it aint worth it" , am I right or what?


Not when it come to maintaining updates and keep everything working smoothly on all the different flavors for android. Its not like you just convert and release on Google play and your done.

Plain and simple there is just a better ROI with the Apple Store.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Jsameds
57 months ago

I can't wait to tell all of my friends!!! :p


I'm gonna tell all of mine too.


Wait a second I don't have any friends.. Well I did, but then I started talking about marketshare, profit margins and taptic feedback and then they all just stopped calling.. Strange.. Where are they..?

Anyway, one of them had a really cute nickname. We called him Applescruff because when he ate fruit he'd get it all over his facHEY WAIT A MINUTE IS THAT YOU??! YOU BETRAYED ME! YOU BETRAYED MMMEEEHHHHHHH!!!!!!

;)
Rating: 7 Votes
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TechZeke
57 months ago

In other words, Android users get more things for free while Apple users have to pay more often. When you keep your customers in a walled barrel the shooting is easy...

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Right. That's why Android users had 70% more app downloads that Apple users.


Where did you come up with these conclusions? Android has a much high market share, so they will win the downloads game by sheer volume of users. The revenue difference highlights make up of iOS vs Andriod devices and ultimately their user base. The majority of Andriod users are on sub-$200 handsets. Someone on a cheap $50-$100 Andriod smartphone from Alcatel isn't going spend $5-$10 on an advanced featured productivity app, nor are they likely to buy apps in general. They WILL download plenty of free apps, however. Nothing wrong with the people on those devices, I'm just telling it like it is.

Let's stop pretending that every Andriod user is using a Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 4, HTC One, LG G3, or a Moto X.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Urban Joe
57 months ago
I always like hearing about this.
Apple has done a great job creating a viable marketplace for developers!
We're all very grateful!!!
In my opinion, a lot mobile apps are actually under priced.
Does anybody remember how much software used to cost back when
Windows ruled the world? I don't get people that complain about app prices. Developers work very hard and deserve to be compensated.
Rating: 4 Votes
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AppleScruff1
57 months ago
I can't wait to tell all of my friends!!! :p
Rating: 4 Votes
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AppleScruff1
57 months ago

Tell my friends? Hell I'm selling my phone to get an iPhone so I can contribute to the profits. Bragging rights son. ;)



I'm going to the Apple store right now and giving them all of my money. And I'm not going to buy anything. I'm just gonna give them my money. :p
Rating: 3 Votes
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FightTheFuture
57 months ago
Considering how easy it is to load stolen apps - i'm surprised Google Play's revenue is that high.
Rating: 3 Votes
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djgamble
57 months ago

It's amazing this is still the case. Considering Google over took them on number of apps and downloads, Apple keeping their lead in revenue despite their being (relatively) such few iOS devices is impressive.


My guess is that 2 things weigh in here:
1) There's multiple Google stores and IMO you'd get a high percentage of people using the dodgy ones where you can download cloned/pirated apps. Even the official store has less regulation and you see that kinda stuff goong on. Apple's bans often seem weird but they encourage people to make apps that are worth selling.
2) 2 Different sets of customers. How do I say... Apple customers are probably more likely to accept that some things cost money.
Rating: 3 Votes

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