Apple's App Store ecosystem generated $1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2024, according to a study by economists Professor Andrey Fradkin from Boston University and Dr. Jessica Burley from Analysis Group. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, stated, “It’s incredible to see so many developers design great apps, build successful businesses, and reach Apple users around the world.”
The study highlights that more than 90 percent of these transactions occurred without any commission paid to Apple. In 2024 alone, digital goods and services accounted for $131 billion of this total. The demand for games, photo and video editing apps, as well as enterprise tools contributed significantly to this figure.
Physical goods and services exceeded $1 trillion due to rising online food delivery and grocery orders. In-app advertising brought in an additional $150 billion in revenue.
Since 2019, spending on digital goods and services has doubled across all categories including physical goods and services driven largely by increased spending on food delivery. Digital payment spending rose over seven-fold in the U.S., while China's e-commerce marketplaces saw substantial growth.
Apps supporting digital content creation also saw steady increases over five years with Adobe creative tools gaining success through new features aimed at professionals and hobbyists alike. Adobe Lightroom was awarded Apple’s 2024 Mac App of the Year for its advancements in AI-powered photo editing.
Apple supports developers globally with a commerce system accommodating more than 40 currencies alongside seamless tax handling across nearly 200 regions. Developers benefit from tools such as Xcode, TestFlight, App Analytics among others that aid app development.
The company also provides online programs like Meet with Apple sessions which include labs providing developers access to resources aiding app elevation efforts. The Developer Academies offer free curriculums focused on skills like coding AI design while Foundation Programs deliver intensive courses across various locations worldwide.
Developers will gain insights into new technologies during Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference through technical sessions led by experts offering guides documentation opportunities for direct interaction via online group labs or one-on-one appointments available exclusively under membership programs provided by Apple Developer Program Enterprise Memberships allowing enhanced networking possibilities within community forums discussions facilitating feedback sharing reporting issues encountered during usage processes ensuring continuous improvement product quality standards maintained throughout lifecycle management operations conducted efficiently effectively meeting customer satisfaction expectations consistently delivered seamlessly end-users ultimately benefiting directly indirectly resulting overall positive impact industry innovation driving forward progress collectively achieving shared goals objectives long-term vision strategy implementation plan execution phase 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