TL;DR
- Developers earned $1.3 trillion via the App Store in 2024—90% of which did not incur an Apple commission.
- $131 billion came from digital goods/services, while $1 trillion came from physical/app-based services like delivery.
- $150 billion in in-app ad revenue, and overall App Store activity more than doubled since 2019.
Ahead of WWDC 2025, Apple released a new study revealing that the App Store facilitated $1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2024—90% of it commission-free. This underscores the platform’s reach beyond paid digital downloads, while Apple pushes back against antitrust narratives.
Ecosystem Breakdown: Where the Value Lies
Developers saw $131 billion in 2024 from digital goods and services—covering gaming, subscriptions, and productivity tools—while physical goods and services (e.g., food delivery, ride-hailing, e-commerce) accounted for over $1 trillion in transactions.
In-app advertising added $150 billion, capturing related economic activity.
Apple reports that total App Store–driven transactions more than doubled since 2019, led primarily by physical goods and services growth (2.6×).
Why Apple Highlights “No Commission” Transactions
Apple funds the report through work by professors Andrey Fradkin (Boston University) and Jessica Burley (Analysis Group), frequently used in its regulatory defense.
By emphasizing that 90% of transactions don’t trigger Apple’s standard fee (15–30%), the company reframes discourse around App Store economics—portraying itself more as a catalyst than a toll‑collector.
The U.S. Picture: Significant, But Part of the Global Story
Apple also shared that U.S. App Store transactions amounted to $406 billion in 2024, nearly tripling since 2019’s $142 billion. Importantly, over 90% of that was commission‑free.
Spending breakdown in the U.S.:
- $277 billion physical goods/services
- $75 billion in-app advertising
- $53 billion digital goods/services
Broader Context: Regulation & Antitrust Pressure
Apple is preparing for major regulatory shifts:
- In the U.S., court rulings now permit developers to include external payment links without Apple collecting commissions.
- In the EU, the Digital Markets Act may force Apple to allow alternative payment systems and let developers promote them.
The App Store economic framing is strategically timely, aiming to influence regulators and public opinion.
2024 App Store Economics
| Metric | 2024 Total | Commission-Free % | Source |
| Global App Store Volume | $1.3 trillion | 90 % | TechCrunch (turn0search2) |
| Digital goods & services | $131 billion | — | TechCrunch (turn0search2) |
| Physical goods/services | >$1 trillion | — | TechCrunch (turn0search2) |
| In-app advertising | $150 billion | — | TechCrunch (turn0search2) |
| U.S. App Store Volume | $406 billion | 90 % | Apple Newsroom (turn0search3) |
| U.S. Physical goods/services | $277 billion | — | Apple Newsroom (turn0search3) |
| U.S. In-app advertising | $75 billion | — | Apple Newsroom (turn0search3) |
| U.S. Digital goods/services | $53 billion | — | Apple Newsroom (turn0search3) |
Bottom Line: A Strategic Narrative Shift
Apple is repositioning the App Store as a vast economic platform—not just an app seller—highlighting that most commerce routed through it avoids commissions. As regulators weigh new rules globally, this narrative could prove pivotal in shaping policy and Apple’s negotiation stance.
