India’s App Store economy hits ₹44,447 crore in 2024: Apple study

Apple has released a new study led by professor Viswanath Pingali from IIM Ahmedabad, revealing that the App Store ecosystem in India enabled a massive ₹44,447 crore ($5.31 billion) in billings and sales in 2024. Stunningly, more than 94% of this revenue went directly to developers and businesses without any commission to Apple — highlighting how the App Store is empowering India’s tech economy like never before.

The Rise of India's App Economy

The study shows that Indian developers’ global earnings have tripled over the last five years. In 2024 alone, ₹38,906 crore came from the sale of physical goods and services like food delivery, travel bookings, and fitness apps. Another ₹3,014 crore was driven by in-app advertising, and ₹2,527 crore came from digital goods and services like gaming and premium content.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, described the App Store as an “economic miracle,” emphasizing Apple’s commitment to helping Indian developers thrive both locally and globally.

Global Success Stories from Indian Developers

The App Store has also helped Indian developers go global, with nearly 80% of their earnings in 2024 coming from international users. Downloads of apps created by Indian developers doubled over the past five years to reach 755 million worldwide. Apps like Fluid Touch’s Noteshelf and Lumy by Raja Vijayaraman are shining examples of how local developers have found global success through Apple's ecosystem.

Boosting India's Small and Indie Developers

Small developers, in particular, are thriving. Their App Store earnings grew by 74% between 2021 and 2024, thanks to initiatives like Apple's Small Business Program that offers lower commission rates. Developers without coding backgrounds are also leveraging Apple’s resources to turn their passion projects into sustainable businesses.

The Safest Marketplace for Developers and Users

Apple continues to safeguard the App Store with strict app reviews, privacy protections, and fraud prevention systems, blocking over $7 billion in fraudulent transactions from 2020 to 2023. This trusted environment fuels developer success while ensuring users' security and trust.

India’s App Store economy is booming — and it’s just getting started.