[Research Report] The mobile application market is expected to grow from US$ 207.31 billion in 2022 to US$ 571.62 billion by 2030; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.5 % from 2022 to 2030.
Mobile Application Market Analyst Perspective:
The mobile application market is rapidly evolving. Mobile applications provide customers with various features and services owing to the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets. The demand for personalized and practical user experiences drives the mobile application market growth for mobile applications. Users are actively looking for applications that meet their unique requirements and interests, whether for social networking, gaming, productivity, shopping, or any other purpose. Therefore, developers are producing a wide range of applications to satisfy various preferences and requirements of smartphone users. The potential user base for mobile applications has grown with the increase in smartphone owners.
Smartphones are entering previously untouched sectors, such as developing nations and rural areas, as they become affordable. Developers now have more opportunities to connect with a wider audience and meet these individuals' unique requirements and preferences. However, some difficulties and ambiguities limit the development of mobile applications. The seamless use, access to features, and availability of some types of applications are hampered by the lack of high-speed connectivity in emerging and undeveloped locations. In addition, businesses must deal with risks related to the fast-changing technological landscape, ROI, market demand, and the technical resources and experience required to develop mobile applications. Developers focus on developing and introducing new applications to match user requirements and industry trends in this highly competitive and dynamic sector. Smartphone accessibility and worldwide reach allow developers to target a large and varied customer base.
Mobile Application Market Overview:
The mobile application market trends comprise growth in the adoption of variable devices and an increase in customer base for the e-commerce industry, which are the main factors driving the mobile application market growth. Additionally, constant growth in enterprise apps, increased attention on apps precisely used for health & fitness, high downloads, and app purchases for gaming apps fuel the mobile application market growth.
Mobile applications are software applications that are largely constructed and invented to run on smartphones, computers, and tablets. Mobile applications are created to help consumers connect via internet services by enabling them to access their portable devices. Mobile applications are hassle-free compared to desktop applications developed and designed for desktops.
Web applications used on web browsers are ready to deteriorate in terms of usage with the emergence of progressive mobile applications worldwide. In the coming ten years, mobile applications are estimated to be integrated into cloud computing solutions to make every task smoother than before. Growing demand for wearables such as smartwatches is also estimated to propel the requirement for emerging mobile applications that would allow users to connect their wearables with tablets and smartphones.
Moreover, several software developers are ready to use motion gyroscopes, accelerometers and sensors for developing new mobile applications to provide an enhanced experience of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
The growing focus of consumers on maintaining their wellness and health is also projected to push sales of health-turned-mobile applications.
Several companies are also applying the Internet of Things (IoT) to expand mobile applications. In developing economies, the entry of many start-up mobile application developers is estimated applying the Internet of Things (IoT) to expand mobile applications. In developing economies, the entry of many start-up mobile application developers is estimated to fuel the mobile application market growth. Further, the growing demand for high-quality mobile games among Generation Z and millennials is expected to strengthen sales. In various colleges and schools, teachers have also decided to be provided with unique educational applications that can be used on tablets and smartphones for giving homework and teaching students online. Moreover, renowned clothing brands are coming up with their official mobile applications to maintain zero contact transactions and disturbance-free shopping.
However, certain parameters may disturb sales of mobile applications in the valuation period. These applications need an update for smooth functioning, which can result in high-cost spending. Some apps require in-app purchases to function, which may decline sales. The lack of high-speed internet in emerging countries is another parameter that can hinder the use of mobile applications.
Strategic Insights
Mobile Application Market Driver:
A surge in adoption of wearable devices:
Mobile applications are frequently used by wearable technology to improve functionality. Users can access and manage numerous functions and settings using the connections of devices to smartphones or tablets via specialized programs. For instance, smartwatches enable users to receive notifications, make calls, and interact with applications straight from their wrists. At the same time, fitness trackers sync with smartphone applications to deliver real-time health and fitness data. The expansion of the capabilities of wearable technology through interaction with mobile apps provides a seamless user experience. Mobile application developers have new options due to the explosion in wearable device adoption. Due to the demand for these devices, developers are concentrating on making applications specifically for wearables. Examples of applications only available for fitness trackers include those that monitor heart rate, track sleep patterns and offer guided workouts. Developers can target a specialized market and respond to wearable device users' unique demands and preferences by specializing in wearable applications. As more consumers use wearable devices, developers are looking at new ways to exploit the capabilities and sensors of these gadgets to provide individualized and contextually aware experiences; applications are developed that use features such as GPS, accelerometers, heart rate monitors, and motion sensors. For instance, some apps use a smartwatch's GPS to send location-based reminders, while others use augmented reality glasses to superimpose digital data on the physical world. Developing cutting-edge apps is propelled by the convergence of wearable technology and mobile applications.
Mobile Application Market Segmental Analysis:
The mobile application market is segmented into the Apple iOS Store, Google Play Store, and Other Marketplaces (Microsoft) based on store type. The Apple store segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the mobile application market in 2022 due to iOS apps' fairly higher monetization rate for revenue generated by in-app purchases and premium apps. Also, global growth in iPhone and iPad users further adds to the segment's development. Moreover, mobile game expenditure accounted for a high revenue share in 2022.
The Google Play store segment dominated the mobile application market in 2022 and is estimated to continue its dominance in the future regarding the number of downloads. Also, Android smartphone sales have seen heavy growth over the coming years, with many new players in the mobile application market, such as Xiaomi Corp and OnePlus, challenging the surviving and leading players such as iPhone and Samsung. The development of new Android smartphone manufacturers has headed to the beginning of a large range of mobile applications on Google's Play Store. The introduction of a wide range of mobile applications and a huge consumer base ensures a strong growth prospect for the Google Play store during the forecast period. This can help the mobile application market grow. The mobile application market in North America is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period, followed by Europe. North America holds the second-largest share of the market for mobile applications. The strong presence of mobile application vendors, along with high spending in R&D in North America, is a crucial factor driving the market. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the average weekly time spent on mobile apps and the user base of mobile apps has increased significantly in the U.S.
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Mobile Application Market Regional Analysis:
Asia Pacific led the mobile application market in 2022. Mobile apps have seen widespread adoption across the Asia Pacific region. Factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, internet access, and a growing middle class have led to a surge in app usage in the region. Countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations have seen significant growth in mobile app usage, with a focus on areas such as e-commerce, gaming, and social media. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of mobile apps as people have turned to digital platforms for work, education, and entertainment.
North America has the presence of numerous players in the region, such as Apple Inc., Google LLC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Netflix Inc., and Microsoft Corporation. Strong in-app consumer spending, high smartphone penetration, and greater mobile application downloads have collectively ensured a high mobile application market share. The U.S. is expected to emerge as a lucrative mobile game application market in terms of in-app payment, paid mobile games, and a rapidly increasing user base of mobile apps in the country. This will eventually fuel the mobile application market growth.
Mobile Application Market Key Player Analysis:
The mobile application market analysis includes Apple Inc., CA Technologies, Cognizant, Google LLC, Netflix Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Amazon Inc., Gameloft SE, Intellect soft US, and China Mobile Limited. Among the mobile application market players, Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation are the top two players owing to their diversified product portfolio.
Mobile Application Market Recent Developments:
Inorganic and organic strategies such as mergers and acquisitions are highly adopted by companies in the mobile application market. A few recent key mobile application market developments are listed below:
- In December 2022, popular fast food company McDonald's presented its new holiday promotion arranged around its mobile app, providing everything from discounted menu items to free food for lifelong and quirky McDonald's merchandise.
- In December 2022, Amazon introduced a new short-form photo and video feed app, Inspire. It would allow consumers to explore products and ideas and shop from content created by other influencers, customers, and brands. The feature is essentially developed to attract consumers' attention far from apps like TikTok to push sales on Amazon.com.