The Evolving Landscape of App Downloads and Revenue in Europe: Insights from 2025
The Rise of Download Trends and User Preferences
Productivity: AI Goes Mainstream
Shopping and Photoshop: Dominating the Download Landscape
Downloads Don’t Equal Revenue in the App Economy
Dating Apps: Ranking High in Revenue, Not Downloads
Country-Specific App Trends: A Focus on the UK and Turkey
Understanding the Numbers: What Do These Figures Include?
The App Evolution: What 2025 Reveals about Downloads and Revenue Trends in Europe
The app world is a dynamic landscape, where some applications surge to popularity while others adapt or fade away. Just a few years ago, Facebook dominated the social media scene, but today it faces challenges across various markets. Enter OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has taken the digital world by storm, becoming one of the most downloaded apps globally. As we explore the current status of app popularity in Europe, significant changes emerge, highlighting user preferences, revenue generation, and regional distinctions.
The Current Download Landscape in Europe
According to estimates from AppFigures, shared by Euronews Next, 2025 has brought forth intriguing insights into the most downloaded apps in the EU. Topping the chart is ChatGPT, boasting over 64 million downloads—a clear leader in the race. Following closely is Temu, with nearly 44 million downloads. After these top two, the numbers seem to plateau around 27 million, where notable competitors persist.
Here’s a snapshot of the top downloads:
- ChatGPT – 64 million
- Temu – 44 million
- Threads – 27.3 million
- TikTok – 26.8 million
- CapCut – 25.5 million
- Google Gemini – 25.2 million
The top ten is rounded out by WhatsApp Messenger, Revolut, Vinted, and Lidl Plus, with all recording figures above 22 million downloads.
Productivity: AI Takes Center Stage
When analyzing app categories for 2025, productivity apps shine brightly, largely due to the rise of AI technologies. ChatGPT not only leads in downloads, but it also signals a shift in how people integrate AI into daily tasks. Google Gemini’s presence among the top ten further emphasizes the mainstream adoption of AI-driven productivity tools, reshaping how Europeans work, study, and manage their lives.
Shopping and Content Creation Apps on the Rise
The shopping sector dominates the app download charts, with platforms like Temu, SHEIN, Vinted, and Lidl Plus making significant appearances. This trend indicates a strong consumer desire for online shopping solutions. The presence of photo and video editing apps demonstrates the increasing significance of visual content, particularly for social media users and small business owners.
While these download numbers are compelling, they represent only one side of the app story. Active user statistics could provide a different perspective, offering a deeper understanding of user engagement.
The Revenue Gap: Downloads Don’t Equate to Income
While free apps dominate download figures, when we consider revenue, the landscape shifts dramatically. TikTok emerges as the highest-grossing app in Europe, generating over €740 million despite not ranking first in downloads. This illustrates a critical distinction between app popularity and financial success.
Here’s how the revenue rankings look:
- TikTok – €740 million
- ChatGPT – €448 million
- Tinder – €429 million
Interestingly, dating apps like Tinder continue to prove their monetization potential, remaining strong revenue generators even without extensive download numbers. The broader revenue trends point toward subscription-based models, with services like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube driving substantial earnings.
Regional App Preferences: The UK and Turkey
Examining app usage reveals that top apps can vary significantly by country. In the UK, local services and public sector apps rank high, with government apps like GOV.UK ID Check gaining traction. In contrast, Turkey’s app landscape is shaped by local platforms and state-supported services, with apps like e-Devlet Kapısı (e-Government) gaining popularity.
Conclusion
The app ecosystem in Europe is continually evolving, with 2025 showcasing a notable shift in download patterns and revenue generation. Productivity, shopping, and AI technologies dominate the download charts, while subscription-based entertainment apps lead the way in revenue.
As societal needs shift, understanding these trends becomes essential for developers striving to meet consumer demands in an ever-changing market. The distinctions between download popularity and revenue generation underscore the complexities of the app economy, revealing insights that will shape the future of mobile applications across Europe.