UK App Market Statistics (2024)

Despite having a far smaller user base than countries such as the United States, China or India, the United Kingdom represents a very significant market for apps. With high smartphone penetration and consumer spend, the UK is an attractive target for app developers.

Download and revenue statistics were inflated during the coronavirus pandemic, but gains have been made post-pandemic. Overall revenue was $1.5 billion higher in 2023 than 2019 and there were over two billion app downloads last year. This puts the UK fifth in overall consumer spend internationally.

British users spend over four hours a day on mobile, according to data.ai. And despite stagnant disposable income since 2019, consumer spend on apps has almost doubled since 2017.

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As pandemic-related restrictions have been removed, fewer users are downloading the NHS vaccination record app and more people have turned to travel and shopping apps. Strong revenue generators include dating apps and short video entertainment, such as TikTok.

Some analysts suggest that the freemium model of apps will continue to be popular among consumers, particularly during the cost of living crisis. Money saving apps such as supermarket reward apps experienced a growth in downloads in 2023, reflecting the wider economic downturn.

Since 2019, network operators have been rolling out 5G coverage throughout the UK with an aim for complete coverage by 2028. Currently more than half of the country has access to 5G, and this may broaden the possibilities for apps. With much larger capacity, there is the potential for 5G devices to go further in virtual reality experiences or run far more complex games.

We have collected data and statistics on the UK mobile app market. Read on below to find out more.

Key UK App Market Statistics

• The UK app market earned $4.4 billion in revenue in 2023
• Apps were downloaded 2.3 billion times by users in the UK in 2023
• Disney+ was the most lucrative app in the UK last year, generating £44 million
• Temu was the most downloaded app in the UK in 2023 with 15 million downloads
• There were 50.8 million UK smartphone users in 2023, 75.8% of the total population

UK App Market Revenue

App revenue in the UK increased to $4.4 billion in 2023 from $3.8 billion the previous year, above pre-pandemic levels by $1.5 billion.

UK app market annual revenue 2016 to 2023 ($bn)

UK consumer spend per user 2017 to 2023 ($)

UK App Market Revenue by App

Streaming service Disney+ earned £44 million in 2023. The games sector also earned significant revenue, with Roblox and Coin Master generating £37 and £36 million, respectively.

UK revenue by app 2023 (£mm)

Sources: AppMagic, Sensor Tower

UK Smartphone Users

The number of smartphone users in the UK increased by four million during the pandemic, but that growth has stagnated over the past year.

Annual UK smartphone users 2017 to 2023 (mm)

UK Smartphone Population

Around four-fifths of the UK population uses smartphones – this increased to 81.3% in 2023.

UK population smartphone usage 2016 to 2023 (%)

UK App Market Downloads

Apps were downloaded 2.3 billion times in 2023, an increase of 4.5% on the year prior.

UK app downloads 2020 to 2023 (bn)

UK Downloads by App

Temu was the most downloaded app in the UK in 2023 with 15 million downloads. Tesco, which integrated its Clubcard to all of its in-store offers in 2023, was the second most downloaded app.

UK downloads by app 2023 (mm)

Sources: Appfigures, AppMagic