Apple touts $1.4 trillion in App Store billings and sales, 90% without a commission

In a compelling update released ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple announced that its App Store facilitated a staggering $1.4 trillion in developer billings and sales for 2025. This impressive figure marks an increase from the $1.3 trillion reported in the previous year, showcasing the platform's significant economic impact. The reported revenue encompasses all transactions conducted through apps on Apple's platform, emphasizing the financial opportunities it provides to mobile developers beyond in-app purchases. Apple highlighted that a remarkable 90% of the total revenue involved transactions where developers were exempt from paying commissions, underscoring the platform's supportive role in their growth. Delving into the details, the 2025 figures revealed that $1.1 trillion came from sales of physical goods and services, while digital goods accounted for $149 billion. The latter category typically incurs a commission ranging from 15% to 30%, depending on the nature of the transaction and the size of the business. Notably, this digital goods revenue increased from $131 billion in the previous year, reinforcing the App Store’s lucrative nature. In terms of advertising, Apple reported that in-app revenue from ads reached $151 billion in 2025, a slight increase from $150 billion in 2024. The company also emphasized the App Store's extensive user base, which averaged over 850 million users weekly across 175 countries and regions. A particular highlight was the significant presence of AI applications, with Apple noting that 40 of the top 100 apps in 2025 featured consumer-facing AI functionalities. These AI apps experienced stronger growth compared to their counterparts, potentially setting the stage for upcoming announcements at WWDC about integrating AI agents into the App Store. Apple's report also pointed to notable growth in the App Store within China, indicating that billings and sales have more than doubled over the last six years. Similarly, the U.S. and European markets saw billings and sales more than triple, largely driven by transactions related to physical goods and services such as retail, grocery delivery, and travel.