Hello friends! Today, I’m sharing some big news about the App Store and how developers are cashing in like never before.

In 2024, Apple’s US App Store raked in a staggering $406 billion in developer billings and sales. That’s almost triple what it made in 2019 when the total was $142 billion! Most impressively, 90% of these transactions involved no commission at all for developers. Pretty sweet deal, right?

The numbers come from a study funded by Apple, conducted by experts from Boston University and the Analysis Group. Apple has worked with these researchers for years, highlighting that only a small part of developers pay Apple fees, with many on programs that reduce their cut from 30% to 15%. Despite this, Apple is still facing increased pressure to open up the platform to more competition, especially after a recent court ruling in favor of Epic Games.

A judge ordered Apple to allow external links for payments, which they are appealing. The new legal landscape is shifting, but Apple claims their ecosystem has been instrumental for developer success, enabling access to 175 countries and defending against billions in frauds. They also provide access to over 250,000 APIs for app development.

Financially, the App Store’s success isn’t just about digital downloads. Last year, it facilitated $277 billion in physical goods and services, along with billions from advertising and digital sales. Since 2019, physical spending has tripled, and digital spending has more than doubled, showcasing a thriving marketplace.