One of the best tools of today’s app marketing toolbox is Influencer marketing. In its core Influencer marketing is about trust between influencers and creators on social media and their followers. In many case, it’s the best way to introduce a product or services to its potential users and win their hearts, minds and…wallets.

In this guide, we’ve laid out the best Influencer marketing companies for you to choose from.

The guide covers:

Why is Influencer marketing important?

How does Influencer marketing work?

What are Influencer marketing platforms

The list of top Influencer marketing companies

The post Influencer Marketing Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

To win on today’s highly competitive app market, mobile app marketers have two major ways of connecting their apps with users – paid advertising and native traffic. The latter is almost entirely based on the search, it applies to both the App Store from Apple and Google Play store from Google and to tap this marketing channel they need to learn App Store Optimization techniques.

In contrast with some of the other app marketing techniques, ASO is effective because it is based on capitalizing on people’s clear intent when they launch the App Store app on their iPhones or smartphones running Android to search for an app to install.

Download this guide to learn the full spectrum of the App Store Optimization techniques and leverage the search as one of the most effective app marketing tools you need to beat your competition. You will also learn about what are the best App Store Optimization companies to hire.

A sneak peek:

Google Play ASO

App Store ASO

App Store & Google Play visual assets optimization

Product Page Optimization for iOS & Android

In-App Events & Promotional Content

Mobile App Localization

The best ASO companies

The post App Store Optimization Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

Affiliate marketing is one of the well-established kinds of digital marketing that helps app marketers to acquire users for their apps. In essence, affiliate marketing companies serve as a mediator between brands and app developers on one side, and affiliate marketers – on the other. To find the best companies that are capable of delivering solid results, one would need a guide and this is why we’ve put together this guide.

The guide covers:

How affiliate marketing works

Benefits of affiliate marketing

Top mobile affiliate marketing companies

The post Affiliate Marketing Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

The health and fitness app market market spans a large set of apps, from fitness fanatics looking for the best workout routines, hubs for running communities and meditation guidance, there’s something for everyone. The app category is full of metric tracking, whether that’s calories, steps, heart-rate or menstrual cycle, to log activity and receive analysis.

This app category generated over $5 billion in-app revenue, with about three quarters of that coming from subscriptions, according to the Health & Fitness App Report. Connected hardware, in the form of smartwatches, fitness bands and connected gym equipment, still brings in a large amount of revenue to the total market.

MyFitnessPal is still the leading app for calorie counting, with a huge database of food items. It also has the top grossing subscription service in the calorie counter subsector, with food plans and other services locked away.

While it continues to be used by millions, it is one of the few to not take advantage of the surge in interest for AI-powered products, with Yazio and Cal AI both marketing their AI prowess front and centre.

Two different types of activity trackers are on display here: community-based and step count. Strava and Runna have step, length and time counters, but the focus on both apps is about connecting with friends and groups, whether that be for walking, running or cycling.

Sweatcoin and StepsApp, on the other hand, function more as basic trackers, letting users know how far they have walked. Sweatcoin also has an incentive structure through its crypto coin, which lets users get involved in raffles or buy items.

Hardware is still a prominent part of the health and fitness market, with several key apps generating most of their revenue from hardware sales. Some are product-focused, such as Whoop, Oura, Connect by Garmin and Zwift, which cannot operate without the connected device, while others such as Peloton, Apple Fitness+, Fitbit and Google Fit will provide some functionality without hardware. As the hardware market matures, more of Peloton and Fitbit’s revenue comes from subscription and services.

There are plenty of apps that focus on sleep, with users turning to their phones to help them turn off for the night, or to analyse their sleep quality. Most of them offer ways to track sleep, sleep quality and levels of sleep. Some also have sleeping sounds, audiobooks and other noise to help sleep. This is an extension of the wellness and meditation app subsector, and some of the big names in that market such as Calm and Headspace also offer white noise and sleep tracking.

Pokemon Sleep is an altogether different beast, which rewards users for time rested by unpacking Pokemon characters. The more and better the sleep, the more Pokemon show up.

The post The Top 50 Health & Fitness Apps appeared first on Business of Apps.

Mobile app analytics is the pillar of  mobile app marketing, mobile apps success on a market is hinges on how much quality data is being accumulated, processed and put in use to make educated decisions about taking certain marketing steps, adding or removing certain features in the app, and more.

In this guide, we’ve laid out the best Mobile app analytics’ tools in the app industry.

The guide covers:

App analytics definition

Types of app analytics tools

How to use analytics for an app

How much app analytics tools cost

The list of top App Analytics tools

The post Mobile App Analytics Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

Dive into the world of app marketing with our comprehensive guide and discover the key to unlocking your app’s full potential.

With millions of apps vying for attention, standing out and captivating your target audience has never been more crucial. Learn about the top app marketing companies, their pivotal role in your app acquisition strategy, and how to select the perfect partner to elevate your app above the competition.

Our guide breaks down the essentials of app marketing, from mastering app store optimization (ASO) to leveraging the power of social media, influencer partnerships, mobile advertising, and effective email campaigns.

Uncover the secrets to enhancing your app’s visibility, skyrocketing downloads, and boosting user engagement through a well-crafted, comprehensive marketing strategy.

Discover why app marketing companies are indispensable in today’s competitive landscape. With access to cutting-edge marketing tools and insights into user behavior, these companies can save you invaluable time and resources.

Step into the future of app success. Whether you’re looking to improve performance, increase visibility, or simply attract more users, our guide is your gateway to achieving remarkable results in the bustling app market.

The guide covers:

Mobile acquisition

Mobile App Marketing costs

Best App Marketing strategies

The list of top Mobile App Marketing companies

The post App Marketing Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

Embark on the ultimate journey of app monetization with our comprehensive App Revenue Buyer’s Guide.

You’ve defied the odds, creating an app that’s not only feature-rich but also widely popular and rapidly growing. However, the road to true success in the app world doesn’t end here.

It’s time to unlock the full potential of your app through effective monetization strategies.

With an emphasis on actionable insights and cutting-edge strategies, we explore the diverse avenues for app revenue generation. This guide illuminates the path to converting your app’s success into a robust revenue stream, ensuring its continued growth and ever-expanding reach.

Don’t let your app’s success stop at user acquisition! Download the App Revenue Buyer’s Guide today and start shaping the future of your app. Your journey towards app monetization mastery begins now.

A sneak peek:

App subscriptions

In-app purchases

In-app advertising

Paid downloads

Sponsorship

Data monetization

The post App Revenue Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

To succeed in the dog-eat-dog app world these days, it’s not enough to just create an impressive app with stellar functionalities and interface. Developing and launching an app and acquiring users are really just the beginning of the journey.

“But, what comes next then?” I hear you ask—well, user engagement… With millions of apps saturating the app market and with rising user acquisition costs, retaining and engaging your existing users has never been more important.

Picture this: a user downloads your app, they start using it, play with it for a while and then they close it—never to open it again. It’s an all too common story, unfortunately. This is where app engagement comes in—to rescue your app from churn and abandonment and help you retain users long-term.

So, join me as I dive deep into the world of app engagement to ensure that your app stays top of mind with your users and that your UA efforts don’t go to waste. Download your copy of the guide today!

A sneak peek:

Retention and key engagement metrics

App user journeys and onboarding

Segmentation, personalization, customization

Push notifications, SMS, email campaigns, and in-app messaging

Referrals, reviews, and loyalty programs

Remarketing and retargeting

Top engagement platforms

The post App Engagement Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

An MMP is a mission-critical component of the modern mobile marketer’s tech stack. Choosing the right UA channels to invest in, finding the highest LTV users, and measuring which campaigns are yielding the highest ROAS is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what an MMP can do for you.

Having a trusted partner for accurate, unbiased, indisputable data and real-time insights is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.

But in light of recent privacy changes courtesy of both Apple and Google, it’s becoming increasingly more complicated and challenging to find the right MMP solution.

But fear not, we are here with our comprehensive guide on the MMP landscape, attribution, mobile analytics, and how to evaluate and choose your next MMP provider.

A sneak peek:

What’s an MMP and what can it do for your app?

The new privacy landscape and the next generation of mobile attribution

Choosing the right MMP: Today’s MMP landscape

Questions to ask when buying an MMP solution

Features to look for in an MMP

Steps in choosing an MMP

Expert views from industry leaders

The post MMP Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Business of Apps.

The finance app market has been one of the areas that has seen the most app-focused activity from both incumbents and new startups. This has come in the form of NFC and peer-to-peer payments, digital currency, mobile banking, zero commission stock trading and loans, and customizable and temporary insurance options. These have been widely adopted, with over 2.5 billion users accessing financial apps, according to our Finance App Report.

Enter our Finance app 2025 market landscape which provides a breakdown of the finance app industry into its various categories.

Banking

Mobile-first banking services brought us out of the dark ages, with apps like Chime, SoFi and Current in the United States and Revolut, Monzo and N26 in Europe pushing forward data-driven features aimed at teenagers and young adults. Tide and Starling Bank have made these budgeting and mobile-first features available to business customers as well.

Budgeting

For the money conscious, there are several apps that prioritise keeping finances in the green through insights and restrictive actions. Cleo, Empower and Klover focus on providing cash a few days before payday providing additional flexibility with paying bills, while Splitwise and Finanzguru help users track bills and spending in a more efficient manner.

Saving

Putting aside a set amount each month can be difficult, but apps like Rocket Money, Albert and Monarch prioritize saving with helpful insights. Apps like Acorns and Plum automate the process of saving, by rounding up every payment made and putting the change into a savings account.

Payments

Sending payments to other people used to be a difficult process – especially in the United States – but apps like Venmo, Cash App and Zelle simplified the process by making it as easy as knowing the other person’s email or phone number. PayPal, Wise and Remitly offer cheap ways to send payments internationally, reducing the cost significantly compared to regular banks.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm have pushed forward a new form of credit that requires fewer checks than typical loan services, while also reducing the interest to zero percent in most cases. These buy now, pay later apps also have multiple ways to pay off the loan, providing further flexibility to the customer.

Investments

Robinhood started a tidal wave of interest in investing with its zero percent commission stock trading app, which made it much cheaper for retail investors to own and trade individual stocks. Apps like MoneyBox and Nutmeg offer much lower fees than typical brokerages through the use of robo-funds, which automate the management process of a fund.

Crypto

Binance, Coinbase and Kraken facilitate the trading of crypto altcoins on dedicated marketplaces with thousands of available coins and secure payment processing, while apps like Trust and Zengo offer a secure wallet to store and trade these coins.

Insurance

Insurers such as Lemonade, Root and Cuvva use the power of data to improve the insurance options available to customers, by offering more cost effective personalized plans. These providers remove a lot of the red tape and hidden fees that plague the industry.

Credit Score

Managing your credit score use to be a difficult process, but apps such as Credit Karma, Kikoff and ClearScore have made the experience a lot clearer with actionable insights to improve scores.

Cashback

Apps such as Shopback, Fetch and PAYBACK enable users to get cashback, coupons and vouchers for shopping at retailers, while PayPal Honey searches the web for coupons available before an item is purchased.

Accounting and Tax

Getting tax affairs in order can be quite a hassle, but there are several vendors including TurboTax, TaxFix and TaxScouts that simplify this process. QuickBooks and Xero offer more holistic accountancy software on mobile.

The post Finance App Market Map appeared first on Business of Apps.

Platforms

Starting with all-in-one platforms like Apple Health, Google Fit, and Samsung Health, these apps leverage sensors on connected devices to track a wide range of health metrics. While some are primarily tied to mobile devices, others are linked to specific hardware, such as Fitbit’s fitness trackers and Oura’s smart ring.

Activity Tracking

Tracking fitness is a key way to maintain commitment, especially when a social element is involved, as offered by platforms like Strava, AllTrails, and Nike Run Club. For users seeking more guidance, services such as Apple Fitness+, Coopah, and MySwimPro deliver personalized training plans to help users stay on track and improve. Another effective way to sustain momentum is through rewarded exercise, with apps like Sweatcoin and WeWard offering coins that can be spent in their marketplaces.

Health and Weight

Similarly for health and weight loss, daily tracking has been shown to reduce calorie intake and support more effective weight loss. Apps like MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, and Yazio provide extensive food databases to help accurately track calories. For a more guided approach, programs such as Noom, WeightWatchers, and BetterMe offer personalized plans, including regular check-ins and fitness routines.

Fasting

A breakout from typical weight loss programs, fasting involves a set period of time not eating. Many participants follow a 16/8 intermittent fasting schedule, although there are several iterations of the schedule. Fasting apps such as Fastic and Zero help users track fasting periods, provide health recommendations, and encourage consistency with reward streaks.

Workout and Gym

For those concerned with muscle growth, there are plenty of apps that offer personalized workout plans. Options like 8fit, FitOn and JustFit cater to home workouts without equipment, while Muscle Booster, Gymverse and Fitbod provide varied workout routines to practice in a gym or with home equipment.

Women’s Health

This subsector is split into three primary categories: period tracking, pregnancy and babies. Flo and Clue are the key apps in this section, both also provide pregnancy tracking tools. Nanit and the Wonder Weeks have many tools available for baby tracking and insights.

Meditation

Over the past five years, the wellness segment has been the fastest-growing part of the health and fitness market, with Calm and Headspace leading the way. These meditation apps offer guided meditations, stories, music, and coaching, helping millions reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance their overall mental well-being.

Sleeping

As the wellness app market expanded, developers created apps specifically designed to address sleep issues. Sleep Cycle and ShutEye are two of the most prominent in this category, offering insights into users’ sleep patterns and provide strategies to enhance overall sleep quality.

Self Care and Habits

Another segment of wellness is self-care, which can take several forms. Finch, Fabulous, and Me+ are some of the top daily habit and routine planners, while apps like Mental combine fitness with therapy.

The post Health & Fitness App Market Map appeared first on Business of Apps.

The productivity app market originated with the PC office suite, which has been the backbone of office work since the 1980s. With the shift to mobile, the sector has become lighter and more flexible, offering tools that can be accessed on the go and deliver immediate value to end users.

In 2024, productivity software generated more than $19 billion in revenue, according to our sector profile. That figure is expected to climb sharply with the rise of generative AI, cloud storage, and newer productivity platforms from companies such as Canva and Notion.

Office Suites

Productivity software most often comes packaged as an office suite, providing users with a single login and integrated tools for word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and cloud storage. Microsoft 365 remains the enterprise standard, while Google has gained traction among both consumers and businesses with Google Drive and Workspace.

Word Processors

A core component of the office suite, word processors enable the creation of professional-quality documents. Microsoft Word continues to dominate in the workplace, but newer tools like Google Docs and Dropbox Paper emphasize cloud-based collaboration and integration with third-party apps.

Note Taking

Unlike word processors, note-taking apps are designed primarily for capturing ideas and information rather than producing polished documents. GoodNotes, Notability, and Obsidian make the process simple and engaging, while Notion, Evernote, and OneNote extend functionality with collaboration features and multimedia support.

Presentations

Presentation tools have long been used in the workplace to deliver project updates, pitch to clients, and train employees. Microsoft PowerPoint remains the market leader, with Google Slides and Apple Keynote as strong alternatives. Canva has entered the space with a wide range of ready-made styles and templates.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets have been slower to adapt to mobile than other office suite tools. Microsoft Excel still dominates, but Google Sheets has gained share with its web-first approach. Alternatives such as Airtable and Quip have introduced new ways of handling spreadsheets, databases, and structured data.

Cloud Storage

Rising storage demands from mobile users spurred the growth of cloud storage services, which allow files, photos, and backups to be stored online at low monthly costs. Dropbox and Box were early leaders, while MEGA differentiated on privacy and TeraBox attracted attention with one terabyte of free storage.

Email

Email remains a cornerstone of productivity, led by Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Privacy-focused providers such as Proton Mail and Tuta offer encrypted communication, while Cleanfox, Spark, and Superhuman position themselves around improved productivity features like filters, spam detection, and AI-powered summarization.

Calendars

Digital calendars have existed for decades, but mobile-first players are reimagining the experience. TimeTree, Howbout, and FamilyWall emphasize shared scheduling for friends and families, while Supershift and Calendly target work-related use cases.

To-Do Lists

Breaking down tasks into simple lists remains one of the most effective productivity strategies. TickTick, Todoist, and Any.do combine task lists with calendars and collaboration features. Tappsk and Habitica go further, focusing on habit-building and gamification.

Generative AI

Generative AI is emerging as a major new category in productivity. It automates routine tasks, accelerates content creation, and enhances creativity. ChatGPT is the frontrunner, with competitors including Gemini, Grok, Claude, and Meta AI. Perplexity focuses more on search and real-time information, while Grammarly applies AI to grammar, clarity, and tone.

VPNs

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become mainstream, enabling users to stream unavailable content, browse privately, and bypass national restrictions. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark dominate the space, while free-tier players such as Super Unlimited, CyberGhost, and Windscribe compete on accessibility.

Antivirus

Although less critical on mobile than on desktop, antivirus software still plays a role in preventing scams and malware. Avast, AVG, and Norton 360 have broadened into all-in-one security suites, adding VPNs, ad-blocking, and privacy features.

File Readers

Both app stores host hundreds of file reader apps. While Google and Apple offer built-in options, advanced users often turn to Adobe Acrobat Reader, CamScanner, and Notebloc Scanner for additional features.

Password Management

With phishing and data breaches on the rise, password managers generate and protect unique credentials. Bitwarden, 1Password, and LastPass are key players, while Proton Pass and NordPass emphasize strong encryption and privacy.

Authenticators

Authenticator apps add another layer of login security. Apple, Google, and Microsoft provide system-level solutions, while Safekey, Authy, and 2Stable cater to enterprise or specialist use cases.

Screen Time

Screen-time apps aim to reduce distraction by limiting usage of non-productive platforms. StayFree, Opal, and AppBlock restrict access to selected apps, while Forest and Focus Friend gamify self-control by rewarding time spent away from social media.

The post Productivity App Market Map appeared first on Business of Apps.

The shopping app market is one of the largest sectors in the mobile economy, covering everything from global marketplaces to niche, category-specific retailers and specialist services. The reach of the internet, combined with powerful search and recommendation systems, has made virtually any product just a few taps away.

In 2024, shopping apps facilitated over $4 trillion in global gross merchandise volume. An increasing share of these sales now begin and end within apps, reflecting rising consumer trust and comfort with mobile commerce. In emerging markets, ecommerce infrastructure and logistics networks continue to expand rapidly, bringing app-based retail to new towns and cities and driving the next wave of digital shopping growth.

Marketplaces

‘The Everything Store’, coined in 1994 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has come to define not just Amazon but a whole host of marketplaces offering virtually every product category imaginable. Almost every region has their own ‘Amazon’, such as Taobao in China, Flipkart in India, Shopee in South-east Asia, Mercado Libre in South America and Trendyol in Turkey.

Discount Marketplaces

In recent years, a new wave of marketplaces has emerged, aiming to undercut the “Everything Stores” on price by connecting consumers directly with manufacturers. Temu has quickly become the frontrunner in this space, while AliExpress and Lazada serve as Alibaba’s international counterparts, extending its reach beyond China.

Customer-to-Customer Marketplaces

Many marketplaces operate primarily as connectors between buyers and sellers, earning a small commission for facilitating transactions on their platform. eBay was the pioneer of this model and remains one of its largest players. Newer apps such as Vinted, OfferUp and Depop have built on eBay’s foundation, reimagining the experience for the mobile-first generation and distilling the marketplace aspect of eBay to a single subsector.

Fashion

Many fashion brands have successfully adapted to shifting retail landscapes, from high street stores to websites and mobile apps, and remain dominant players in the market. Zara, H&M, and Abercrombie & Fitch are among the biggest names. However, marketplaces like Shein, Myntra, and ASOS have challenged brand loyalty with their vast, fast-changing selections of clothing and accessories.

Activewear

Inside the fashion sector, there are plenty of subsections that cater to specific audiences. Activewear is one of the largest, with a mix of the legacy sneaker brands Nike and Adidas, which have handled the transition to app well, and newer entrants such as lululemon and SKIMS.

Luxury

The luxury market caters to those willing to splash more money on the latest styles from premiere brands. A lot of these apps came about in the web era, such as Vestiaire Collective, Farfetch and Net-A-Porter, an act as a marketplace for luxury brands to sell on, similar to a Harrods or Selfridges.

Grocery

The pandemic forced supermarkets in North America and Europe to rapidly expand online, a shift that has had a lasting impact as operators continue to prioritise digital shopping. The period also fuelled the rise of dedicated grocery delivery apps such as Instacart, Flink, Gopuff, and Getir, which scaled quickly to meet surging demand. HelloFresh and TooGoodToGo have redefined how consumers purchase and consume food, each offering a distinct approach to convenience and sustainability.

Food Delivery

There are many food delivery platforms worldwide. Some, like Just Eat, Grubhub, and iFood, primarily connect restaurants with consumers, while others, including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo, act as intermediaries, handling both ordering and delivery.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Popularised as a new form of consumer credit, several buy now, pay later providers also operate as marketplaces, showcasing products available through pay-in-three or pay-in-four instalment options. Klarna leads this space, with Affirm and Afterpay among the most prominent competitors in the US market.

Live Commerce

While live commerce remains less developed in Western markets, platforms like Whatnot and TikTok Shop have seen significant growth in both attention and spending over the past two years. In Asia, meanwhile, Douyin, Kwai, Shopee and Lazada dominate as leading destinations for live shopping.

Home and Furniture

Wayfair pioneered the shift of home and furniture shopping to mobile, building a marketplace dedicated entirely to home goods. In recent years, IKEA, Lowe’s, and Bed Bath & Beyond have also strengthened their mobile offerings, enhancing the digital experience for home shoppers.

Electronics

Argos and Newegg have long operated in the electronics and appliance marketplace niche. In recent years, interest in second-hand devices has gained momentum, with platforms like Cashify and Back Market capitalising on the growing demand for refurbished tech.

Handmade

Etsy remains the clear leader in the handmade and craft marketplace, hosting millions of independent sellers worldwide. Redbubble has emerged as a popular destination for artists selling custom designs, while Not On The High Street continues to support small creative businesses with a curated marketplace approach.

Deals 

The deals and coupons market has become a core part of online shopping, helping users save through cashback and discounts. Capital One Shopping and ShopBack lead the way with automatic coupon and cashback features, while Groupon popularised the group deal model.

Price Comparison

Price comparison apps help shoppers find the best value across products, travel, and services. Honey by PayPal and Quidco combine price tracking with cashback rewards, while Payback integrates loyalty points into everyday purchases. In travel, Skyscanner and Trivago dominate as leading comparison platforms.

The post Shopping App Market Map appeared first on Business of Apps.

The sports app industry has evolved rapidly over the past decade, transforming how fans follow, interact with, and participate in sport. The explosion of player and team statistics has been driven by the rise of fantasy sports and sports betting apps, with users increasingly hungry for data that can give them a social or financial edge. This demand has carried over to sports score and news apps, which now go beyond simple score updates to offer in-depth breakdowns by team and player.

Beyond data, fans have greater access to live sport than ever before, whether through over-the-top (OTT) services or official league platforms. Highlights are typically available within an hour of the event, while major leagues actively share clips across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X. Professional teams also run their own apps, giving fans behind-the-scenes access and the ability to buy tickets and merchandise directly.

Live Sports OTT

Cable broadcasters and new-age streaming services make up the OTT sports market. ESPN, NBC Sports, and Sky Sports remain dominant on cable and satellite, while DAZN, FuboTV, and Prime Video cater exclusively to streamers.

Live Sports Leagues

Many leagues have their own dedicated apps offering highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and stats. Some, like NFL Network, F1 TV, and UFC, stream live events; others, such as the Champions League app, act more as video and data hubs.

Score Trackers

Apps like Sofascore, Flashscore, and LiveScore go far beyond tracking scores, offering team and player stats and archives of previous games. FotMob, CricBuzz, and OneFootball deliver similar depth but focus on a single sport.

Sports News

Sports news apps have evolved to match fan expectations. The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and Barstool Sports integrate stats and fantasy tools into their reporting, while BBC Sport, Marca, and L’Équipe remain leading sources for breaking news and rumours.

Fantasy Sports

For millions of fans, watching the game comes second to tracking players in their fantasy squads. Apps like Underdog, Chalkboard, and Fantasy Premier League let users build teams and compete with friends, while PrizePicks, Dabble, and Sleeper add real-money competition.

Professional Teams

Top sports franchises operate their own apps, offering behind-the-scenes content, squad data, and ticket sales. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona lead globally in downloads, while Manchester United and Manchester City dominate in the UK.

Sports Betting

Sports betting has long been a fixture in the UK but is only recently expanding across the US. FanDuel and DraftKings are the key American players, while bet365, Paddy Power, and Betfred remain major UK operators.

Merchandise

While clubs often handle their own merchandise through official apps, Fanatics acts as a major marketplace with exclusive drops. Topps and Panini remain the most popular collectible and trading card brands.

Coaching

For coaches seeking deeper insights, apps like GameChanger and Hudl enable communication, performance analysis, and feedback. Platforms such as sportsYou, TeamReach, and Heja help teams coordinate and schedule sessions efficiently.

Specialist

Niche apps cater to enthusiasts who take their sport seriously. Fishbrain, Slopes, KAYA, and Surfline offer data on conditions, timing, and locations, while 18Birdies and DartCounter track individual performance.

Ticketing

Although more teams and leagues are moving ticketing in-house, third-party platforms like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and StubHub remain widely used. MLB Ballpark and Wimbledon exemplify how leagues now control ticketing while integrating fan services.

Sports Games

Every major sport has its own gaming franchise, with EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and NBA 2K leading globally. eFootball competes with EA Sports on mobile, while Football Manager offers a management-focused experience that simulates running an entire club.

The post Sports App Market Map appeared first on Business of Apps.

Travel apps were responsible for over $1 trillion in revenue creation in 2024, with about 44 percent of total spend on travel being performed in app, according to data found in the Travel App Report. There are apps for every stage of the travel process, from planning, to booking, to organising.

We have organised this large sector into a market map, with all of the key subcategories mentioned:

Marketplace

Many travel apps now bundle hotels, flights, home rentals, car hire, and more into a single marketplace. Providers such as Booking, Expedia and TripAdvisor offer these services through their own subsidiaries and third-party partners. Google Travel takes a different approach, acting purely as a portal to other vendors and earning commission from each referral.

Rentals

The short-term rental market has expanded rapidly over the past decade, largely driven by Airbnb and Vrbo. Newer platforms like Sonder, Sykes and Plum Guide have emerged with a more curated approach, offering stays tailored to specific styles or premium-market customers.

Hotels

Some booking platforms remain focused on hotels. Hotels.com, HotelTonight, Agoda and trivago have partnerships with hundreds of thousands of properties, earning commission on each booking. ResortPass adds a twist, allowing users to access hotel amenities—like spas and cabanas—without staying overnight.

Flights

Apps like Skyscanner, KAYAK and Kiwi specialise in finding the cheapest flight options, with tools to track fare trends and identify the most affordable travel days. CLEAR streamlines the airport experience by consolidating required documents in one app.

Event Booking

For those travelling for entertainment, apps like Ticketmaster, StubHub and Eventbrite are go-to platforms for booking events. Meanwhile, GetYourGuide, Headout and Klook offer tickets to top attractions and guided tours in many major cities.

Restaurant Booking

Finding great local food is a key part of travel. Apps like OpenTable, Yelp, Resy and TheFork help diners reserve tables while offering user reviews and ratings to avoid tourist traps.

Taxis

Navigating a new city can be tricky, but taxi and ride-hailing apps make it easier. Uber is the most widely available, while Lyft, Bolt, FreeNow and inDrive serve specific regions where they are popular and reliable.

Car Rental

Renting a car is another flexible option. Sixt, Turo and Avis offer vehicles of all types, while Zipcar uses a map-based system (similar to Lime and Bird) for hourly or daily car rentals.

Planners

Organising a multi-stop trip can be stressful, but apps like TripIt, Wanderlog and Allyz help users plan day-by-day activities. Rome2Rio, Moovit and Roadtrippers assist with mapping out routes and identifying the best transport options.

Maps

For finding your way, classic mapping apps like Google Maps, Waze and Citymapper provide directions and real-time data. AllTrails is ideal for hikers, offering curated walking routes and a community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Trackers

Want to know where your flight is? Flightradar24, Flighty and FlightAware let you track flights in real time. Interrail and NextBus provide similar tracking for rail travel in Europe and buses in U.S. metro areas, respectively.

Translation Tools

If you’re rusty on your language skills, translation apps like Google Translate, iTranslate and DeepL offer quick and effective help in real time.

Money Transfer

Avoid hefty transaction fees abroad with services like Revolut, Wise and Remitly, which offer low-cost or fee-free international spending.

Weather

Apps like The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and the Met Office provide accurate forecasts to help you pack appropriately and plan ahead.

Luggage

To keep tabs on your bags, Airtag and Tile offer GPS-enabled tags with real-time tracking. If you need to stash your luggage while exploring, Bounce and StowYourBags help locate nearby storage options.

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Marketing is the foundation of app growth. It’s the engine that drives discovery, engagement, and revenue from day one. The challenge? No team can do it all alone.

App marketing today is too complex to tackle solo. Success depends on finding the right partners, the ones who can help acquire users, keep them engaged, test what’s working, and fix what isn’t. But with a sea of platforms, tools, and agencies out there, knowing where to start is its own challenge.

That’s what this map was meticulously crafted for.

The App Marketing Ecosystem 2026 market map lays out the full landscape of app marketing in 2026 — from funding and analytics to A/B testing, retargeting, revenue, and more. Whether launching something new or scaling something proven, this is a resource built to help teams cut through the noise and make smart, strategic choices.

Mobile measurement partners (MMPs)

Attribution is critical to understanding ROI. MMPs tie user behaviour back to acquisition sources, helping teams understand what channels work, which creatives convert, and how budget should be allocated. Especially in a post-ATT world, they serve as an independent source of truth for performance marketers juggling multiple campaigns and networks.

App engagement and messaging platforms

Growth doesn’t end at install. These platforms power smart, personalized conversations through push, in-app messages, email, and SMS. Whether it’s a welcome nudge or a well-timed comeback prompt, they help keep people active, curious, and connected. Over time, these touchpoints stack up, shaping habits, building loyalty, and turning fleeting interest into something that sticks.

App revenue (subscriptions and IAPs)

Monetization isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Subscription management and in-app purchase optimization tools help businesses price dynamically, reduce involuntary churn, recover failed payments, and understand revenue drivers. These platforms provide the infrastructure and insight needed to turn active audiences into sustainable business models.

Agencies

Agencies fill a vital gap between tooling and execution. Whether full-service or specialist, mobile marketing agencies bring expertise in media buying, creative production, lifecycle strategy, and localization. For companies without a deep in-house growth team, or those entering new markets, agencies can provide both strategic direction and operational firepower.

App market intelligence

The best growth strategies begin with understanding the landscape. App market intelligence platforms provide competitive benchmarking, market sizing, and trend forecasting. Whether it’s identifying emerging categories, tracking share of voice, or analysing seasonal performance, these tools help growth teams act with context — not just gut feeling.

App store marketing

Search and browse remain the top discovery channels within both the App Store and Google Play. App store marketing tools focus on visibility — from keyword optimization and conversion rate A/B testing to managing ratings and reviews. These platforms help teams surface in high-intent searches, monitor competitor positioning, and adapt strategies to constant algorithm changes within the storefronts.

User acquisition

The most polished product means little without active users. UA platforms specialise in generating demand through channels like programmatic advertising, paid social, influencer marketing, and OEM placements. These companies handle the targeting, bidding, optimization, and creative management that drive scalable installs — all while navigating the fragmented privacy environment that defines post-IDFA mobile marketing.

Product and user analytics

Data is only useful if it leads to action. These platforms help teams monitor behavioural flows, identify friction points, and track the metrics that matter — DAU, retention, churn, session depth, and more. From dashboards to real-time event tracking, they form the core of decision-making across product, marketing, and monetization teams.

Retargeting

Acquisition is only the first step. Retargeting players focus on re-engaging audiences who’ve dropped off. These platforms use behavioural triggers, segmentation, and dynamic creatives to bring lapsed users back into the funnel, helping brands recover revenue, extend LTV, and stay top of mind in an oversaturated app ecosystem.

Experimentation and mobile A/B testing

Hypotheses are only as good as their tests. A/B testing platforms allow teams to trial variations in features, copy, onboarding flows, and monetization models without deploying full product changes. Granular testing reduces risk, accelerates iteration, and ensures that user-facing changes are backed by evidence and hard data.

Performance monitoring

Crashes, memory leaks, and latency are invisible until they aren’t. Performance monitoring tools keep tabs on technical health across devices, OS versions, and geographies. With real-time alerts, session recordings, and diagnostic data, teams can proactively fix issues that would otherwise erode user trust and retention.

Privacy and consent management

Global privacy regulations are multiplying, and enforcement is tightening. Consent management platforms help businesses handle data collection transparently — whether under GDPR, CCPA, or SKAN 4.0. These tools ensure compliance while maintaining the ability to collect meaningful analytics and serve personalised experiences in a privacy-first way.

App funding

Before downloads, campaigns, or dashboards, there’s the funding question. Whether through revenue-based financing, venture capital, or credit-based models, these platforms provide capital without forcing founders to part with equity too early. In a market where timing can be everything, they offer a way to fuel growth initiatives — user acquisition, feature rollouts, or global expansion — without hitting pause for fundraising rounds.

Alternative app stores

The app economy isn’t limited to Apple and Google. From Huawei’s AppGallery to Samsung Galaxy Store and region-specific marketplaces, alternative stores offer growth potential in markets where the default duopoly has lower penetration. These platforms enable broader distribution and tailored acquisition strategies, especially important for gaming, utility, and fintech categories in Asia, LATAM, and beyond.

Download the App Marketing Ecosystem 2026 market map today. Available as PNG and PDF, including a landscape version perfect for slides, decks, and strategy sessions.

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Building a successful mobile app has never been more complex. Modern development demands expertise across multiple domains: backend infrastructure, testing pipelines, distribution strategies, and frameworks that adapt to an ever-changing mobile landscape.

No single team can master every aspect of this ecosystem. Success depends on choosing the right combination of tools that work together seamlessly. But with hundreds of options across each category, knowing where to start becomes its own challenge.

The App Development Ecosystem 2026 market map provides a comprehensive view of the tools powering today’s most successful mobile applications. This resource helps cut through the noise and empowers teams to build with confidence.

Mobile App Development Agencies

Sometimes the fastest path to success is partnering with experts. Development agencies bring specialized knowledge in platform best practices, user experience design, and project management. They offer the expertise and resources that internal teams might lack.

Low- & No-code Development

Not every app requires months of custom development. Low-code and no-code platforms provide visual builders, pre-built components, and automated backend generation. These tools enable rapid prototyping and can handle production-ready applications for specific use cases.

Mobile App Frameworks

Framework choice shapes development speed and app performance. Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter and React Native enable code reuse across iOS and Android, while native frameworks like SwiftUI and Jetpack Compose offer platform-specific optimization. The decision impacts team productivity, user experience, and long-term maintenance.

Backend & Cloud

Every app needs infrastructure that can scale. Backend and cloud services handle user authentication, data storage, real-time features, and API management. These platforms manage the heavy lifting of server operations, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than maintaining infrastructure.

Testing & CI/CD

Quality assurance can’t be an afterthought. Testing and CI/CD tools automate bug detection, performance monitoring, and compatibility testing across devices. These platforms enable confident shipping through automated testing, device farms, and deployment pipelines.

App Distribution & Stores

Building the app is only half the battle; reaching users requires strategic distribution. While the App Store and Google Play dominate Western markets, regional stores provide crucial access to specific user bases. Each platform has its own review processes and audience characteristics.

The best apps are crafted using the right combination of tools, chosen with strategy rather than guesswork. This market map serves as your guide to navigate the complex landscape of modern app development.

Download the App Development Ecosystem 2026 market map today. Available as PNG and PDF, including a landscape version.

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The app stores have never been more competitive — and never more vital. For mobile marketers, developers, and growth leaders, success today hinges on far more than just having a great product. It requires visibility, insight, agility, and precision across the entire app store journey.

The App Store Marketing Ecosystem 2026 market map is designed to help businesses navigate this evolving space, spotlighting the leading platforms, tools, and partners that make discoverability, conversion, and scale possible.

From real-time analytics to alternative distribution channels, search ads to optimization tools—this is your guide to the infrastructure behind app store success. Explore the categories below and discover where the stakes lie, what challenges they solve, and how to stay ahead of the curve.

App Store Marketing Platforms

These platforms are the nerve centers of modern app store strategies. They provide integrated solutions to manage keyword rankings, metadata, creative testing, localization, and A/B testing at scale — all within a single environment.

In a market where visibility depends on the subtle dance of metadata precision and competitive positioning, these platforms are the strategic layer that connects research, execution, and optimization. They’re essential for businesses looking to stay agile in a fast-moving ecosystem.

App Store Analytics

Understanding performance across app stores requires more than surface-level metrics. App store analytics providers go deep, offering competitive benchmarking, category trends, audience insights, and granular performance data across regions, platforms, and verticals.

Analytics tools turns fragmented data, shifting rankings, and algorithm updates into actionable insights. They enable businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions and respond to change with clarity and speed.

Apple Search Ads

Apple Search Ads (ASA) remains one of the most efficient and intent-driven paid acquisition channels for iOS. But like all powerful tools, it demands precision. ASA strategy is complex — balancing keyword bids, creative sets, audience segmentation, and post-install behavior to drive performance without waste.

ASA partners provide the expertise and automation to navigate these nuances, maximizing spend efficiency and return across diverse campaigns.

App Store Optimization Tools

These are the tactical instruments of ASO — focused on keyword discovery, metadata analysis, localization recommendations, and performance tracking. Their goal: increase organic visibility, drive install intent, and continuously refine app listings for relevance and reach.

In an environment where organic discovery is algorithmically gated, these tools help decode the black box and push content in the right direction.

Web-to-App

Driving users from the open web into the app store is a critical yet complex piece of the puzzle. Web-to-app partners specialize in bridging that gap, streamlining the transition from ad click or web interaction to install, with attribution and tracking baked in.

The challenge lies in fragmentation: different platforms, different behaviors, different attribution paths. These tools offer the connective tissue that turns web traffic into meaningful mobile growth.

Alternative App Stores

As privacy policies and platform rules evolve, distribution strategies are diversifying. Alternative app stores offer new audiences, new markets, and more control over placement, pricing, and user experience — especially in regions where Google Play and Apple App Store don’t dominate.

Agencies

App marketing agencies bring strategic and creative firepower to the table — from ASO and creative production to paid media and global scaling. They’re often the difference between isolated wins and sustained growth, helping companies break into competitive categories or enter new markets.

Their real strength? Experience. These partners have seen the algorithm changes, the trend cycles, the platform policy shifts — and know how to respond in kind.

Want to grow smarter in 2026? Start by understanding the ecosystem. Download your copy of the App Store Marketing Ecosystem 2026 market map today.

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The App Growth Ecosystem 2026 market map is designed to help app developers, marketers, and businesses navigate the complex landscape of tools and services that drive app growth and success. Whether you’re looking to boost user engagement, track performance, or drive installs, this map has got you covered.

Here’s a quick look at the key players in each category:

• App Engagement Platforms: Keep users hooked with the best engagement tools
• Subscriptions / Revenue: Maximize an app’s earnings with subscription tools
• App Metrics: Track performance and stay ahead of the competition
• Mobile Measurement Partners (MMPs): Track and optimize your marketing efforts
• App Store Marketing: Stand out in the app stores and drive growth
• In-App Analytics: Understand an app’s users better with
• User Acquisition: Grow an app’s user base with top-notch acquisition platforms
• App Advertising: Monetize an app with powerful ad networks
• Agencies: Need expert help? These agencies have your back

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In today’s hyper-competitive app ecosystem, it’s not enough to simply acquire users. The true challenge lies in keeping them engaged, retained, and loyal over time. That’s where the App Engagement & Retention 2026 market map comes in — your comprehensive guide to the most powerful tools, platforms, and service providers for mastering app engagement and retention and driving sustained app growth in 2026 and beyond.

Whether you’re aiming to streamline app performance, foster deeper connections with your audience, or enhance the user experience, this map is your trusted partner in finding the solutions that align with your goals.

Engagement Platforms

From onboarding to long-term user loyalty, engagement platforms like Airship, Braze, CleverTap, and Iterable make it easier to deliver personalized, omnichannel experiences that captivate users. These platforms enable you to create automated campaigns that foster meaningful connections with users.

Messaging

Reach your users where they are with messaging platforms like OneSignal, MessageGears, and Sendbird. Whether it’s a push notification or an in-app message, these tools help you communicate effectively and consistently, keeping users engaged and informed.

Re-engagement & Retargeting

Your users are busy, and distractions are everywhere. Re-engagement and retargeting tools help you reconnect with lapsed users. Solutions like Adikteev and Remerge allow you to create personalized, data-driven campaigns that reawaken interest and drive users back to the app.

Product Analytics

Gain a high-level view of app performance with tools like Amplitude, Quantum Metric, and UXCam. These companies empower you with deep insights into user journeys, feature usage, and friction points. With actionable analytics, you can prioritize product updates, optimize workflows, and ensure you’re delivering the experiences users need to stay engaged.

Consent Management

In a world of ever-evolving privacy regulations, building trust with your users is non-negotiable. Consent management platforms such as Axeptio and Usercentrics help you ensure compliance while maintaining a seamless user experience. These tools simplify data collection processes while keeping you aligned with global privacy standards like GDPR and CCPA.

User Research & Customer Feedback

An app’s users are its most valuable resource for insights. Tools like Alchemer, Qualaroo, and Survicate enable you to collect feedback directly from your audience, helping you understand their needs and frustrations. Use these insights to bolster app performance and deliver experiences that exceed expectations.

No-code Development/UI & UX

Speed and innovation are critical in today’s mobile market. No-code development tools like LaunchDarkly, Plotline, and Stream empower you to make quick iterations without relying on developers and engineers. From building prototypes and making rapid changes to an app to optimizing UX flows, these platforms make app and feature development more accessible and efficient than ever.

In-app analytics

To create an app that users love, you need real-time data on how they’re interacting with it. Platforms such as AppMetrica, Mixpanel, Smartlook, and Upland allow you to monitor in-app behaviors, identify trends, and uncover issues that might be driving users away.

A/B Testing

Optimizing an app isn’t a guessing game — it’s a science. A/B testing tools like Optimizely and SplitMetrics allow you to experiment with different app features, layouts, and messaging strategies to identify what resonates most with your audience. Perfect every element of an app with data-backed precision.

App Monitoring

Performance issues can make or break an app. Tools like Embrace and Sentry ensure an app runs smoothly by identifying bugs, crashes, and performance bottlenecks in real time. Proactively monitoring an app’s health allows you to deliver a seamless experience and maintain user trust.

Agencies

Need expert guidance? Agencies like Customlytics, ConsultMyApp, Favoured, Phiture, REPLUG, and Yodel Mobile specialize in app marketing, growth, and strategy. Whether you’re launching a new app or looking to grow an existing one, these agencies bring the expertise and tools you need to efficiently drive engagement and retention at scale.

This market map isn’t just a directory—it’s a strategic tool for identifying the solutions that align with your needs. From boosting app engagement to fine-tuning user retention, this map has all the tools, services, and platforms you need to create an app experience that users love and return to day after day.

Fill out the form to get your copy of the map. Available in PDF or PNG and in both square or landscape format — choose the version that best fits your needs.

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In the fiercely competitive world of mobile apps, generating sustainable revenue demands the strategic use of a wide array of channels, tools, and platforms. With countless solutions available, selecting the right fit for your business is anything but straightforward.

To help app marketers, developers, and businesses maximize earnings, we’ve just released the App Revenue Ecosystem 2026 market map, showcasing the key players in the app revenue space.

From mediation and ad platforms to revenue management and app funding solutions, this map is your comprehensive guide to navigating the ever-evolving app revenue landscape.

Revenue Management (Subscriptions & IAPs)

Revenue management platforms are indispensable for apps relying on in-app purchases (IAPs) or subscriptions, offering tools to optimize recurring revenue streams. With robust analytics and seamless integration, solutions like Adapty, Appcharge, Paddle, Purchasely, Qonversion, Recurly, and RevenueCat support app marketers and developers in scaling and managing predictable income models.

Ad Platforms/SDKs

Ad platforms/SDKs provide the infrastructure necessary for serving ads directly within apps, offering scalable tools to integrate advertising into the user experience. Solutions like Digital Turbine, InMobi, Liftoff, Mintegral, PropellarAds, and Verve are essential for delivering ads seamlessly while maintaining user satisfaction and driving revenue.

eCommerce Monetization

eCommerce monetization tools enable apps to integrate affiliate marketing, optimize transaction flows, and generate additional revenue through partnerships. Key players in the space include Appnomix, Button, and Skimlinks.

App Funding

Scaling an app requires access to capital, and app funding platforms specialize in providing the financial backing app teams need to grow. Solutions like Appvestor, Braavo, and Pollen VC offer flexible funding options designed specifically for app businesses.

Ad Mediation

Ad mediation platforms are the centralized hubs that connect markets and developers with multiple ad networks, automating the allocation of ad inventory. Leading solutions include AppLovin MAX, Appodeal, and ironSource from Unity.

Rewarded

Rewarded advertising delivers value to users by providing in-app rewards like premium features or virtual currency in exchange for watching ads or engaging with offers. Platforms like AdAction, Adjoe, and Perform[cb] allow apps to boost user engagement while driving revenue from highly interactive and incentive-based ad formats.

Data Monetization

Data monetization platforms unlock new revenue streams by enabling app businesses to ethically leverage anonymized user data for insights or advertising purposes. Companies like AppGrow, Honeygain, and Narrative lead in helping developers capitalise on their data assets while adhering to privacy standards.

The App Revenue Ecosystem 2026 market map offers a comprehensive overview of the platforms and services shaping today’s app economy. Whether you’re refining your ad strategy, exploring new revenue streams, or scaling an app business, this map provides a clear path forward.

Download the map as a PDF or PNG, including a landscape version for use in slides and presentations, and explore the key players driving innovation and change in the app revenue ecosystem.

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Incentivized advertising networks provide a powerful way to drive app engagement by rewarding users for specific actions, such as installs or in-app purchases.

These networks help brands create tailored ads that effectively resonate with their target audience through precise targeting and advanced bidding strategies. Users who interact with incentivized ads are more likely to make in-app purchases and stay engaged longer.

Retargeting

AI-powered platforms leverage machine learning to optimize user acquisition campaigns. These solutions analyze large datasets to identify patterns and opportunities, enabling app marketers to automate bidding, targeting, and creative decisions. AI helps increase campaign efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver highly targeted ads to the right audience at the right time.

Connected TV (CTV)

Connected TV (CTV) refers to delivering app ads through streaming services on devices like smart TVs. As more users shift to streaming over traditional TV, CTV offers app marketers the opportunity to reach audiences in a premium video environment. CTV advertising enables precise targeting and provides a high-impact format for promoting apps to users on large screens.

Ad Networks and Exchanges

Ad networks and exchanges act as crucial intermediaries between advertisers and publishers, streamlining the process of buying and selling ad space. Ad networks aggregate inventory from numerous publishers, offering advertisers access to a wide range of apps and digital platforms, enabling them to reach diverse audiences.

Meanwhile, ad exchanges offer real-time bidding environments, where advertisers can bid on impressions as they become available, allowing for more efficient and targeted ad placements. Together, these platforms offer advertisers both broad reach and precise targeting, maximizing ad performance and driving better campaign results.

App Store Marketing

App Store Marketing focuses on enhancing an app’s visibility and conversion rates within major app stores, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play.

This involves strategies like App Store Optimization (ASO), which improves search rankings through keyword optimization, metadata enhancements, and visual updates. It also includes paid search ads and other promotional techniques to drive higher organic downloads and improve overall app performance.

By boosting discoverability and engagement, App Store Marketing plays a crucial role in an app’s growth and success.

Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs)

Platforms

Platforms are the powerhouse digital ecosystems where app marketers launch campaigns to connect with their target audiences. From social media giants to search engines, these platforms offer massive reach and highly sophisticated targeting tools. Their ability to engage vast user bases, combined with advanced tracking features, makes them the go-to choice for driving user acquisition and maximizing app growth.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Distribution

Agencies

Agencies are specialized firms that help app developers and marketers manage their user acquisition campaigns. These agencies provide expertise in areas such as media buying, creative development, ASO, and analytics. They work as external partners to help brands scale their app marketing efforts, optimize performance, and achieve specific growth goals.

Fill out the form to get your copy of the map. Available in PDF or PNG and in both square or landscape format — choose the version that best fits your needs.

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In today’s fast-paced mobile landscape, no app can thrive without robust analytics. Understanding user behavior, tracking performance, and measuring marketing impact are essential for growth. The best analytics platforms don’t just collect data — they transform it into actionable insights that empower businesses to optimize their apps, refine their strategies, and stay ahead of the competition.

From user engagement and product performance to attribution tracking and revenue analytics, every aspect of an app’s journey needs precise measurement. The right analytics partners provide clarity in a crowded market, helping app marketers make data-driven decisions that enhance user experiences and maximize ROI.

To help you navigate this space, we have curated a comprehensive list of the top app analytics platforms for 2026. Whether you are looking for an MMP, app store analytics, or deeper insights into user behavior and product performance, this market map will help you find the right partner to elevate your app’s performance.

When every data point matters, choosing the right analytics solution isn’t just an option — it is a must-have.

User Analytics

Understanding user behavior is at the core of any successful app strategy. User analytics platforms track how people interact with an app, from session duration and navigation patterns to retention rates and engagement metrics. These insights help companies refine user experiences, identify friction points, and optimize onboarding flows. By leveraging behavioral data, app-centric businesses can personalize interactions, improve user satisfaction, and ultimately drive retention and revenue growth.

Product Analytics

Product analytics focuses on how users engage with specific features, helping companies understand what works and what doesn’t. By leveraging heatmaps, session recordings, and user flow analysis, these platforms provide deep insights into which parts of an app attract the most engagement and where users experience friction. This data allows product teams to optimize UI/UX, refine feature placement, and enhance overall usability. With a clear view of user behavior, companies can make informed decisions on product improvements, prioritize updates, and drive higher engagement.

Revenue Analytics

Monetization is a critical pillar of app success, and revenue analytics platforms provide the insights needed to maximize profitability. These tools track in-app purchases and subscriptions, delivering a clear and data-driven view of financial performance. By identifying the most effective revenue streams and spotting opportunities for growth, businesses can fine-tune pricing strategies, minimize churn, and boost overall revenue with confidence.

App Store Analytics

App store visibility can make or break an app’s success. App store analytics platforms help businesses track rankings, keyword performance, conversion rates, and competitor benchmarks to improve their ASO (App Store Optimization) strategies. By continuously optimizing listings, responding to reviews, and analyzing download trends, companies can enhance discoverability, drive more organic installs, and maintain a competitive edge in crowded marketplaces.

Mobile Measurement Partners (MMPs)

Attribution is key to understanding which marketing efforts drive real value. MMPs track user acquisition sources, providing a clear picture of campaign performance across channels. They help app businesses measure ad effectiveness, detect fraud, and allocate budgets efficiently. With precise attribution data, marketers can make informed decisions, scale high-performing campaigns, and maximize return on ad spend (ROAS).

App Performance Monitoring

A seamless app experience is crucial for user retention, and app performance monitoring tools ensure reliability and stability. These platforms track crashes, latency issues, load times, and network performance to detect and resolve issues before they impact users. With real-time diagnostics and automated alerts, businesses can proactively maintain app health, improve response times, and deliver a frictionless experience to all users.

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The AI app market is forecast to grow by a compound annual growth rate of 80.7% over the next five years, according to the AI App Report. Chatbots, image editors and media generators are seeing enormous growth in usage and number of apps available, as more and more people are drawn to this burgeoning sector.

Our AI App Market Landscape shows the key players in each subsector of the AI app market.

LLMs

Large language models form the foundation of generative AI applications, trained on billions of parameters to grasp the context and meaning behind queries, enabling them to generate text, images, and video that meet user needs. These have been integrated into all of the main chatbot and image editing services through APIs.

Some of the key LLMs on the market are OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude and Meta Llama. DeepSeek made a huge entrance into the market in January 2025 with the launch of its V3 model, built at less than a tenth the cost of GPT while reaching similar performance metrics.

General Assistants

LLMs have been most widely embedded and adopted in the form of general assistants, or chatbots, in which the user can type questions and receive responses in the form of text, images and video. How the chatbot responds will depend on the query, with users able to mold the conversation to meet their demands.

ChatGPT was the original spark that set off the AI race, with Gemini, Copilot, Grok and Claude all coming later on as competitors. Quite a few apps use the same LLM as ChatGPT to power their own chatbots, such as Nova, ChatOn and Genie. In China, Duobao and DeepSeek are the most popular chatbots.

Search Engine

Some chatbots are focused on the search side, integrating heavily with news channels and sourcing data from the web rather than from data that trained the underlying model. This means that data from the chatbot tends to be more current and backed up by other sources.

Bing, which embedded ChatGPT shortly after Microsoft invested $10 billion into OpenAI, offers the best of both worlds with generative responses and traditional search tools. Perplexity is purely focused on the generative AI side, and pulls from a variety of official news sources and publications which it has partnered with.

Virtual Personalities

Character.ai jumped on a trend of users asking their chatbots to have a certain personality, sometimes requesting the personality in the form of a historical figure or celebrity. Now there are marketplaces of personalities that span almost every genre.

While character.ai was the first to offer this virtual personalities marketplace, other have followed, with PolyBuzz and chai.ai being two of the most popular.

Image 

Generative AIs other big claim to fame is in the form of image generation, with AI models being fed millions of different images to be able to create new ones on the fly to meet the demands of the user.

Midjourney is one of the most popular apps in this space, originally operating out of Discord. Other apps, like Remini and Picsart, pivoted to generative AI following the success of ChatGPT, offering photo editing and generation tools as part of their subscription package.

Video

Expected to be the next big pillar of generative AI, video generators are also marred with more uncertainty due to the potential for misinformation and fraud. App developers are tentatively launching these tools, with PixVerse and Luma AI two of the most popular tools.

Some of the biggest LLM providers, such as OpenAI, Google and Meta, are slowly pushing these services to public usage. There are also video editing tools that use AI, such as InShot and Vidma.

Music

Using generative AI to make beats is another nascent market that a few apps are trying to crack. Large language models trained on millions of hours of music are able to, with moderate accuracy at the moment, build beats and songs based on text queries.

Suno is the lead app in this market and is considered the most sophisticated of the lot, although the major players have yet to broaden their services to this subcategory. Other apps offering music generation include MyTunes, Udio and Soundraw.

Education

With around 50 million students using generative AI for homework and essays, its no surprise the education app market has seen an sector-wide pivot to AI services. Some have embedded the services into their portfolio, such as Brainly, which offers an AI learning companion and teacher.

Other apps, such as Gauth, Question.AI and Quizard, have the AI service front and center. Users can upload test papers and the AI provides step-by-step methods for solving each question.

Health & Fitness

Health and fitness is another market seeing a lot of new apps launched with AI as the main selling point. Instead of having a set of gym routines and recipes, the generative AI can built personalized routines and meals, which work to the specific requests of the user.

Cal AI provides an image recognition technology to quickly scan food and provide calories, while Fitbod and Evolve create personalized routines for workouts. Youper offers an AI chatbot to help with mental health.

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With over 700 million users worldwide, education apps are now a go-to resource for teachers, students and lifelong learners. In 2024, the sector generated over $5 billion according to the Education App Report, expanding beyond classrooms to support homework, skill training and language learning. Teachers are increasingly using technology to make lessons more interactive, engaging and personalized.

Our Education App 2025 market landscape breaks down the various subsectors of the education app market.

Classroom

Schools and universities provide students and parents with the ability to track performance, grades, and other metrics through apps like BlackBoard, Remind and Seesaw. While Google Classroom, ClassDojo and Kahoot! provide teachers with ways to make lessons more interactive.

Online education

Education platforms like Khan Academy, Pearson+ and IXL provide students with libraries of videos exploring subjects at all grade levels, with step-by-step instructions, practice lessons and achievements.

Homework help

Apps such as Chegg, Brainly and Course Hero let students take photos of homework problems and receive help from experts and the community. Quizlet and Gizmo create personalized flashcards to help with revision.

Maths

There are several homework help apps on the market that are focused just on maths, with some using the photo scan method such as Mathway, while others like Photomath and Doodle Maths offer visualizations and personalized methods.

Kids

Plenty of education apps are built for kids aged 2-8 years old, with ABCMouse, LingoKids and SplashLearn teaching kids how to read, write and complete simple mathematics.

Language learning

One of the most popular forms of online education for all ages, language learning apps such as Duolingo, Babbel and Busuu offer courses on all of the widely spoken languages in the world. These apps offer video tutorials, explanations, and fun mini-games to make the learning stick.

Online courses

Further education is available in a wide variety of forms, and apps like Udemy, Coursera and Alison have built platforms with thousands of courses for career switches, accreditation and to learn new skills.

Coding

Learning how to code is an invaluable skill to have, codeSpark starts the process off early teaching the fundamentals of coding to children aged 5-8 years old, while Sololearn and Mimo ramp up the complexity for students and further education learners with a variety of programming languages and techniques available to learn.

Books & Audiobooks

Books are available in a variety of formats nowadays, with Everand, Galatea and Kobo offering a wide selection of ebooks and audiobooks on their stores. Audible and Storytel focus exclusively on audiobooks.

Book summaries

Blinkist, Headway and Imprint shorten the size of books to 30 minutes or less, and provide interactive ways to remember the story and its concepts.

Brain training

Marketed as a way to train your brain, Impulse, Elevate and Lumosity offer hundreds of puzzles and games to test problem solving, memory and focus.

Skills

Learning new skills can be the catalyst for a career change or new side hustle, and MasterClass and Skillshare provide portals to learn thousands of new skills, taught by experts in the field.
Music: For those specifically looking to learn an instrument, family of Simply apps, Yousician and flowkey offer detailed tutorials and chords for the most popular songs.

Driving

Learning how to drive can be a draining process, especially if you fail on theory tests because of a few slip ups. Apps like Aceable Drivers, Zutobi and RAC Theory Test Kit provide handy video tutorials and exam prep questions.

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Social apps made up around 10% of all app downloads in 2024, making them one of the most popular app categories. TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook have consistently been among the top five most-installed apps over the past decade, with hundreds of millions of installs each year. These apps generated over $300 billion revenue in 2024 according to the Social App Report, primarily through advertising.

Our Social App Market Landscape shows the key players in each subsector of the social app industry.

Networks

Social networks connect family, friends and communities together and let them share content, such as messages, photos, videos and links. Facebook has been the dominant network for over a decade, with over three billion users. Apps like LinkedIn and Nextdoor have segmented networking to specific areas, professional contacts and neighbours, while apps like Howabout and BeReal have reduced the scope of networking to close friends only.

Messaging

Messaging is a key part of most social networks, but there are also many apps dedicated to messaging with broader functionality. Facebook famously made Messenger a separate app in 2014, recognizing the need for messaging to front and centre to the experience. Snapchat improved on this in the mid-2010s with disappearing photos, videos and location services. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber were built to be SMS-alternatives, reducing the cost of sending a message especially to anyone overseas. Newer apps have had to offer a standout feature to reach any level of interest, Signal offered stronger encryption, NGL has “ask me anything” functionality and ten ten built walkie-talkie style messaging.

Short video

Short form video kicked off in the late 2010s with Musical.ly, a lip syncing and dancing app, merging with TikTok in 2018. TikTok’s ascendancy to the most downloaded app in 2020 led to several of the major social platforms – Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Snapchat – launching their own short form video features, which have become prominent services in their own right with Reels and Spotlight both having hundreds of millions of active users.

Microblogging

The acquisition of Twitter (now X) by Elon Musk sparked a renaissance in microblogging platforms, with Threads, Bluesky and to a lesser extent Mastodon gaining lots of new users following decisions made by the X team. At the same time, more traditional blogging services such as Medium and Substack have drawn in bloggers and journalists with the network effects enabling higher payouts and readership.

Forums

Forums have been popular since the earliest days of the internet, attracting people through common interests and questions rather than social ties. While thousands of these forums still exist in some capacity, Reddit and tumblr are two of the marketplace forums, with thousands of communities centred on a specific topic such as Game of Thrones, motorcycles and football.

Dating

Dating apps come in all shapes and sizes, from the conventional such as Tinder, Bumble and Hinge to the niche apps for specific types of relationships, as seen with feeld, PURE, BLK and Grindr.

Livestream

Broadcasting gameplay and events in real-time provides viewers with a way to interact and engage with the events as they happen. Twitch is the lead app in this market, with thousands of channels streaming content everyday to millions of viewers. Kick launched as a competitor service to Twitch. Bigo is less focused on gaming and more on personalities, similar to Instagram and TikTok’s own live features.

Photo sharing

There are many social apps focused primarily on photos. Instagram was once the premier app for this before it became a network for all forms of visual media. Pinterest and lemon8 let people share photos and create collections, which can then be reshared by other users. VSCO, Flickr and 500px are true photo sharing platforms, where that is the sole focus. Behance and DeviantArt are two of the most popular media portfolio sharing apps.

Reviews and recommendations

Reviewing products and media has also been a staple on the internet since the early days, and there are many forum-style apps dedicated to specifically reviewing one product category or media. Letterboxd is for movies, Goodreads for books, Yelp and Beli for restaurants, Vivino for wine, Discogs for music and Product Hunt for electronic products.

Virtual world

Meta Platforms investment into the “metaverse” shone new light on the virtual worlds sector, and while Meta has shifted to AI in 2024, the apps that have grown this genre for over a decade remain popular. ZEPETO and IMVU offer the ability to create your own avatar and explore thousands of worlds, Avakin Life is a Sims-like multiplayer roleplaying game.

Sports

Achieving goals in sport and health can be exhilarating and many want to share that with others in their friend group. Strava and AllTrails provide the technology to map routes, and the network to share with others. Nike Run Club, Runna and Peloton offer virtual classes, where users can interact with others in the same fitness group.

Location sharing

Some networks are built specifically as location sharing devices, either for families or friends. Life360, Glympse and Find My are all aimed at keeping family and friends notified of your location, while Bump functions similar to Snapchat’s Snapmaps showing where friends are in the world.

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