The United States is one of the most lucrative markets for mobile applications, with its large user base and high smartphone saturation. Around four in five members of the US population possess a smartphone and that has remained relatively steady for the last five years.
As stay-at-home orders were issued in many US states in 2020, the public’s use of mobile apps grew. While this has slowed down or reversed in the years since, the app market remains above pre-pandemic levels. Users in the United States spend more than four hours a day on apps – a rise of over an hour compared to before the coronavirus pandemic.
The US is third in terms of overall downloads behind China and India and second only to China in consumer spend on mobile.
The apps American users are downloading cover personal finance, gaming, shopping, social media, entertainment and more. The gaming sector has had particular success in adapting to mobile and generating revenue.
Some commentators predict a growing demand for app personalisation. More and more apps are utilising AI technology to target marketing messages and tailored content.
Gen Z users are disproportionately likely to spend time on photo and video editing apps, where AI has also managed to make waves with filters and special effects. 18 to 24-year-olds are also the most likely age group to have short video apps such as TikTok and Instagram.
We have collected data and statistics on the US mobile app market. Read on below to find out more.
Key US App Market Statistics
- The US app market generated $44.9 billion in 2023, an increase of $2 billion on the year prior
- There were 12.5 billion apps downloaded in the United States in 2023
- Smartphone users spent 217 billion hours on mobile apps last year
- Google One generated the most revenue in the US at $515 million
- Candy Crush Saga was the top grossing app in the US, with $485 million in consumer spending
US App Market Revenue
The US app market revenue was estimated at $44.9 billion in 2023. Consumers spend $162 on average.
US app market annual revenue 2016 to 2023 ($bn)
US annual consumer spend per user 2017 to 2023 ($)
US App Market Revenue by App
Cloud storage service Google One was the top grossing app in the US in 2023, generating $515 million.
US revenue by app 2023 ($mm)
| App | Revenue ($mm) |
|---|---|
| Google One | 515 |
| TikTok | 500 |
| Candy Crush Saga | 485 |
| Monopoly Go | 470 |
| YouTube | 450 |
| Royal Match | 425 |
| Roblox | 410 |
| Disney+ | 355 |
| Tinder | 295 |
| Coin Master | 270 |
Sources: AppMagic, Sensor Tower
US Smartphone Users
There were 281 million US smartphone users in 2023. This is a rise of five million users from the previous year.
US smartphone users 2017 to 2023 (mm)
US Smartphone Population
In 2023, 82% of the US population used a smartphone. This has been relatively stable since 2018.
US population smartphone usage 2017 to 2023 (%)
Time Spent on Apps in the US
American users spent more than 200 billion hours on mobile apps in 2023, the third most in the world behind China and India.
Hours spent on mobile apps by US users 2020 to 2023 (bn)
US App Market Downloads
Annual downloads of apps in the United States have stayed relatively stable at around 12 billion. There was a pandemic peak in 2020 at 13.4 billion. Each user downloaded around 45 apps on average.
US annual app downloads 2016 to 2023 (bn)
US annual app downloads per user 2017 to 2023
US Downloads by App
Temu was the most downloaded app in the US in 2023, with over 100 million downloads. TikTok was second with 52 million downloads.
US downloads by app 2023 (mm)
| App | Downloads (mm) |
|---|---|
| Temu | 103 |
| TikTok | 52 |
| CapCut | 42 |
| 37 | |
| Shein | 35 |
| Monopoly Go | 33 |
| 32 | |
| HBO Max | 29 |
| 27 | |
| Telegram | 26 |
Sources: Appfigures, AppMagic
