News in Short
- Apple says the App Store facilitated more than $1.4 trillion in billings and sales during 2025.
- The company claims 90% of those transactions generated no commission for Apple.
- AI-powered apps showed stronger growth among the top-performing apps on the platform.
- The update arrives days before WWDC 2026, where Apple is expected to unveil new AI features.
Apple says its App Store ecosystem generated more than $1.4 trillion in developer billings and sales during 2025. The update comes just days before the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 and highlights the growing scale of the App Store economy.
The figure marks an increase from the $1.3 trillion reported a year ago. Apple also emphasized that developers did not pay commissions on roughly 90% of those transactions, underscoring how much business occurs outside traditional in-app purchases.
What Does Apple’s $1.4 Trillion App Store Figure Include?
The reported number goes beyond app downloads and subscriptions. It covers the broader economic activity enabled through apps on Apple’s platform.
According to the company, physical goods and services accounted for the largest share at $1.1 trillion. This category includes retail purchases, grocery deliveries, ride-hailing services, travel bookings, and other transactions completed through apps.
Meanwhile, digital goods and services generated $149 billion in billings and sales during 2025. That figure increased from $131 billion reported the previous year. This category includes app subscriptions, premium features, and other digital purchases where Apple typically collects commissions ranging from 15% to 30%.
Apple also reported $151 billion in advertising revenue generated through apps, slightly higher than the previous year’s $150 billion.
Why Is Apple Stressing That Most Transactions Paid No Commission?
The statement arrives at a time when Apple’s App Store business model continues to face scrutiny from regulators, developers, and courts around the world.
By highlighting that 90% of App Store-related transactions did not involve commissions, Apple appears to be drawing attention to the broader economic value created by its platform rather than focusing solely on revenue from digital purchases.
The company has increasingly used these annual reports to demonstrate how developers generate business through the App Store ecosystem beyond subscription fees and in-app transactions.
How Are AI Apps Shaping the App Store?
One of the most notable details in Apple’s latest update involves artificial intelligence.
Apple said 40 of the top 100 apps in 2025 featured consumer-facing AI capabilities. More importantly, these AI-enabled apps recorded stronger billing growth than other top-performing applications.
The timing is significant. Industry reports and analyst expectations suggest AI could play a major role during WWDC 2026. Apple is widely expected to announce deeper AI integrations across its software ecosystem, along with upgrades to Siri.
The company’s focus on AI app growth may also signal future opportunities for AI-powered services and agents within the App Store.
Where Is App Store Growth Coming From?
Apple pointed to strong international growth, particularly in China.
According to the company, App Store billings and sales in China have more than doubled over the past six years. During the same period, transactions facilitated through the App Store more than tripled in both the United States and Europe.
The company also revealed that the App Store reached an average of more than 850 million weekly users across 175 countries and regions during 2025.
What Happens Next?
The announcement serves as a preview to a much bigger week for Apple. WWDC 2026 begins next week and is expected to bring major updates across iOS, macOS, and Apple’s AI strategy.
For now, Apple’s latest figures show that the App Store remains one of the world’s largest digital marketplaces. As AI apps gain momentum and digital services continue to expand, the Apple ecosystem is becoming an even larger part of the global app economy.
