--- title: "Social Networking and Communications Apps Lead Downloads" locale: "en" language: "en-HK" published: "2016-06-06T15:32:27+08:00" updated: "2026-03-17T23:05:21.841Z" canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/social-networking-and-communications-apps-lead-downloads-218" --- # Social Networking and Communications Apps Lead Downloads Facebook holds four places in the download top 10 on both mobile platforms, while LINE stands out in app revenue. Communications and social networking lead downloads, and games take a substantial share of revenue. ## In brief Download volume does not necessarily translate into the highest app revenue. In this 2016 article, Facebook leads downloads, LINE performs strongly in monetization, and games account for 40% of Google Play downloads and 90% of its revenue. The most downloaded apps are not necessarily the most profitable: Facebook vs LINE Across both mobile operating systems, Facebook holds four places in the top 10 most downloaded apps. Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and Whatsapp all make the list. And on [Google Play](), Facebook takes the top four places. By download volume, Facebook is a dominant player in the [mobile]() world at the time of writing. But in terms of revenue, including [in-app purchases](), LINE holds three places in the Android top 10 and two in the iOS top 10. The revenue discussed here excludes advertising, of course; otherwise, Google and Facebook would be virtually unbeatable in this area. But when it comes specifically to generating revenue from [apps](), LINE is certainly impressive. The most downloaded apps do not necessarily generate the most [in-app revenue](); nor do profitable apps necessarily need large numbers of downloads, provided they reach the right target users. Communications + Social = The leading categories By download volume, communications and [social networking apps]() account for the largest share. Among [communications apps](), instant messengers are clearly the strongest performers. Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp and Skype are three [instant messaging apps]() that all rank in the top 10 on both Google Play and the [Apple App Store](). Google Play's top 10 also includes two more instant messengers: LINE and Viber. The Apple App Store also has two utilities for iOS devices: Find My Phone and iTunes U. Games take a large share On [Google Play](), games have a remarkably strong position. They account for 40% of downloads and an even more striking 90% of revenue, while [apps]() (excluding games) account for the remainder. On iOS, Clash of Clans and Candy Crash dominate: they attract large numbers of downloads and also hold the top two places in the revenue rankings. Supercell, the publisher of Clash of Clans, has three games in the top 10 by revenue. By contrast, established gaming giant EA only just makes the top 10 by revenue, with The Simpsons: Tapped Out in tenth place. On Google Play, there is a less familiar and intriguing name: Subway Surfers, a title from Danish company Kiloo. Remarkably, it ranks first in the top 10 by downloads! Released three years ago, the game still ranks highly in many countries at the time of writing. In the United States, for example, it remains in the top 10, although in Hong Kong it ranks only somewhere in the tens. http://news.memehk.com/posts/16104#sthash.2XOEvAmo.dpuf ## Frequently asked questions ### Do the most downloaded apps generate the most revenue? Not necessarily. The article explains that apps can earn revenue by reaching the right target users without needing large numbers of downloads. ### How do Facebook and LINE compare in the rankings? Facebook holds four places in the download top 10 on both mobile platforms and takes the top four places on Google Play. LINE holds three places in the Android revenue top 10 and two in the iOS revenue top 10. ### Does the article's app revenue comparison include advertising? No. It includes in-app purchases but excludes advertising revenue. ### Which instant messaging apps appear in the download top 10? Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp and Skype appear in the top 10 on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. Google Play's top 10 also includes LINE and Viber. ### What share of Google Play downloads and revenue comes from games? In the article's 2016 context, games account for 40% of Google Play downloads and 90% of its revenue. Apps excluding games account for the remainder.