Apple says developers have earned $550 billion from the App Store since 2008

Apple App store

• App Store developers earned $550B since 2008, with rapid growth since 2021.
• Apple Pay processed over $100 billion in merchant sales in 2025
• Apple TV and Music saw record engagement and subscriber growth

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Apple has said that developers have collectively earned $550 billion from the App Store since the platform launched in 2008. The figure was shared as part of a broader update on Apple’s services performance, which the company described as record-breaking in 2025.

The disclosure marks one of Apple’s more detailed updates on App Store payouts in recent years. Apple previously reported that developers had earned $260 billion as of 2021, up from $200 billion in 2020. The latest figure suggests a sharp acceleration in developer earnings over the past four years.

In 2025, Apple said the App Store averaged 850 million weekly users globally, up from 813 million in 2024. The company also reported record traffic during the year-end holiday period. Apple typically takes a 30 percent commission on in-app purchases, though developers earning under $1 million annually qualify for a reduced 15 percent fee under the company’s small business programme. The App Store’s commission structure continues to face regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries, with authorities examining whether Apple’s practices limit competition.

Apple’s services update also highlighted growth in payments and streaming. Apple said Apple Pay processed more than $100 billion in merchant sales during the year. Monthly engagement on Apple TV rose 36 percent year on year, with December setting a new viewing record for the service.

Apple Music also posted its strongest performance to date, with record listenership and new subscriber growth. This comes despite Spotify’s continued lead in global market share. Apple attributed part of its music growth to features such as Sing, expanded partnerships, and higher usage of Shazam, which now generates more than 1 billion recognitions per month.

Apple TV’s gains were supported by a mix of original programming and sports deals. The service benefited from new releases such as Pluribus and The Studio, alongside returning series like Severance. Apple also pointed to its streaming agreements with Major League Soccer and Formula 1. The company said its Formula 1 film became the highest-grossing release from Apple Studios and the top-grossing film of actor Brad Pitt’s career.

Industry factors may also have played a role in Apple Music’s momentum. Spotify has faced criticism in recent years over content moderation, artist payouts, and business investments. In 2025, protests by several artists followed reports that an investment firm linked to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek backed a European defence technology company. Some musicians removed their catalogues from Spotify in response.

Apple Music’s growth may also be tied to pricing and bundling strategies. The service continues to offer a three-month free trial with the purchase of many new Apple devices, which may appeal to users reassessing subscription spending during uncertain economic conditions.