In brief
The App Store generated 75% more revenue than Google Play in 2015 despite recording only half as many downloads. China, the United States and Japan drove 90% of its annual revenue increase, and games dominated revenue at both stores.
The “Global Mobile App Market 2015 Review” reported that both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store saw increases in downloads and annual revenue. However, the App Store maintained its lead in revenue: the figures show that although Google Play recorded twice as many downloads as the App Store, App Store revenue was 75% higher than Google Play revenue.
The comparison between the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store has always been a major highlight. In 2014, Google Play downloads exceeded App Store downloads by 60%; in 2015, that lead widened to 100%, or twice as many downloads. Google Play’s download growth came from sales of Android mobile devices in emerging markets, particularly Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Mexico.
However, the App Store’s ability to generate more revenue remained indisputable. In 2014, total App Store revenue was 70% higher than Google Play revenue; in 2015, the gap increased to 75%. Total App Store downloads were only half those of Google Play, yet the App Store generated more revenue. This was mainly attributable to China, the United States and Japan, which together accounted for 90% of its annual revenue increase.
China was particularly significant. In recent years, iPhone sales in China had continued to surge. As a result, in the first quarter of 2015, App Store downloads in China surpassed those in the United States for the first time and continued to rise.
The main revenue driver for both app stores was overwhelmingly games. In 2015, games accounted for as much as 90% of Google Play revenue and 75% of App Store revenue. These figures differed little from those in 2014.
Future download growth was expected to depend on developments as mobile device penetration in emerging markets increased. Alongside games, which consistently accounted for the largest share of revenue, monthly subscription services for online video and online music were also expected to become a source of revenue growth.
App Annie 2015 Report: Boosted by China, App Store Revenue Exceeds Google Play by 75%