India's app market booms but global platforms capture gains
Original: India’s app market is booming — but global platforms are capturing most of the gains
Why This Matters
Shows India's growing digital payment adoption while highlighting global platform dominance
India's mobile app market generated record Q1 revenue with in-app purchases crossing $300 million, up 33% year-over-year. Non-gaming apps drove growth at 44% increase, but global platforms like Google One, Facebook, and ChatGPT captured most spending.
India's mobile app market reached record Q1 revenue with in-app purchases exceeding $300 million, rising 33% year-over-year according to Sensor Tower. Non-gaming apps generated over $200 million, up 44%, led by utilities, video streaming, and generative AI categories. Annual in-app purchase revenue has grown from $520 million in 2021 to over $1 billion in 2025, projected to reach $1.25 billion in 2026. Global platforms dominated spending with Google One, Facebook, ChatGPT, and YouTube among top earners, while domestic players like JioHotstar and SonyLIV performed better in video streaming. India generates about $0.03 revenue per download compared to $0.20+ in Southeast Asia and Latin America.