Consumer spending across iOS and Google Play reached $167 billion in 2025, a 10.6% increase year over year, while downloads hit a record 150 billion, according to a new report from AppMakers USA. The 2026 App Development Statistics report, released today, compiles more than 45 sourced data points on app development costs, build timelines, user retention, AI adoption and app-store enforcement.
“Most of the advice about building an app online is opinion without a source attached,” said Daniel Haiem, CEO of AppMakers USA. “We wanted a page where every figure has a citation.” The report draws from primary sources including Sensor Tower, Apple, Google and Stack Overflow.
Despite the growth in spending and downloads, the report highlights a retention problem most teams underestimate. Day-1 retention averages around 24%, dropping to 5-6% by day 30, meaning roughly 94% of new users churn within a month. This underscores the importance of user engagement strategies for app developers.
The report also tracks a widening gap between AI adoption and AI trust among developers. Stack Overflow's 2025 survey found 84% of developers are using or planning to use AI tools, up from 76% a year earlier, yet only about a third trust the accuracy of the output. This trust gap could impact how quickly AI tools are integrated into app development workflows.
App store enforcement remains stringent. Apple reviewed 7.7 million App Store submissions in 2024 and rejected more than 1.9 million, while Google blocked 2.36 million policy-violating apps from Google Play that year. These numbers emphasize the importance of adhering to store guidelines to avoid rejection.
AppMakers USA, a mobile and web application development company based in Los Angeles with additional offices in Santa Monica, New York and San Diego, has shipped more than 400 apps across iOS, Android and web. Notable projects include Number Hive, an education app used by more than 700,000 students, and ShiftPass, a shift marketplace live on both major app stores. The company offers mobile app development, custom software development, AI integration and app rescue services. More information is available at appmakersla.com.
The report serves as a free industry reference for developers and businesses looking to understand the current landscape of app development, from costs to user retention to platform policies.
