The 10 most downloaded apps on the App Store from the last 10 years

When the App Store launched in 2008 it only had 500 apps 
There are over 2 million apps on the App Store
Amelia Heathman10 July 2018

The Apple App Store is celebrating its 10-year anniversary today.

When the App Store was first introduced back in July 2008, there were only 500 apps available to download.

Now, customers in 155 countries regularly use the Store and are downloading more apps than ever before.

But do you know which are the most downloaded apps on the App Store ever?

Hint, it’s not Candy Crush.

The top 10 apps on the App Store of all time

  1. Facebook
     
  2. Facebook Messenger
     
  3. YouTube
     
  4. Instagram
     
  5. Whatsapp Messenger
     
  6. Google Maps
     
  7. Snapchat
     
  8. Skype 
     
  9. WeChat 
     
  10. QQ 
The Apple App Store has changed how we live, interact and navigate online
Apple

The top apps by worldwide consumer spend

  1. Netflix
     
  2. Spotify
     
  3. Pandora Radio
     
  4. Tencent Video
     
  5. Tinder
     
  6. Line
     
  7. iQIYI
     
  8. HBO Now
     
  9. Kwai(快手) 
     
  10. QQ 

Source: AppAnnie

Facebook and social media dominate the App Store

It’s unsurprising perhaps that social media, particularly social networks owned by Facebook have been dominating the App Store for the past 10 years.

Facebook alone has 2 billion users around the world, so it makes sense that this app, as well as the Messenger version, would be top of the apps.

It’s important to note that all the most-downloaded apps are free to use, you don’t have to pay for them.

The charts for paying apps look a lot different, with services such as Netflix and Spotify coming first.

Instant messenger service QQ, owned by WeChat’s Tencent, is the only app to appear on both lists.

How Apple's App Store used to look 10 years ago
Apple

The top games on the App Store

  1. Candy Crush Saga
     
  2. Subway Surfers
     
  3. Fruit Ninja
     
  4. Clash of Clans
     
  5. Honour of Kings
     
  6. Minion Rush
     
  7. Angry Birds
     
  8. Temple Run 2
     
  9. Temple Run
     
  10. Asphalt 8: Airborne 

What about gaming?

Whilst no games make it into the top lists, gaming is integral to the App Store so it has its own chart.

Candy Crush, as you might expect, does come top of the gaming charts for all-time downloads.

Temple Run is an interesting one as the original and the second version are both in the top chart. As well, it demonstrates how the App Store led to new companies starting up to capitalise on this new online ecosystem.

Its creator, Imangi Studios, was one of the first to launch a gaming app a decade ago.

The studio’s founders, Keith Shepherd and Natalia Luckyanova, said: "Fast forward 10 years, and we’ve created over 10 games, including Temple Run, which has been downloaded over a billion times. Our studio has grown from the two of us to a team of 35. None of this would be possible without the App Store."

In terms of actual spending, Clash of Clans comes top of the list for in-app purchases.

However, this chart could change over the next few years as Fortnite Battle Royale makes its way up the rankings.

What’s next for the App Store?

For the next 10 years of the App Store, Apple is betting big on augmented reality (AR).

In 2017, the company released its ARKit for developers to create AR apps for iOS and it became the biggest AR platform virtually overnight.

There are now over 3,000 AR apps on the App Store, including the likes of Pokémon Go and Ikea Place, with many more apps coming in the future.

10 years in, Apple sees no signs of slowing down when it comes to the App Store.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in