Answer · data from 761,898 iOS apps
How much does an app make?
The median iOS app makes approximately $0. Across the 761,898 App Store apps we track, only 5.5% show any meaningful revenue signal, and just 2.2% clear an estimated $1,000/month. Among apps that do earn, the median is ~$643/month — and the top 10% of earners make $17,250+/month.
Figures are transparent estimates modeled from public App Store signals (review velocity, rating volume, price model, category). Data snapshot: May 2026. Check any specific app free with the app revenue checker.
By category
App revenue by App Store category
| Category | Apps tracked | % earning ≥$1k/mo | % with any revenue | Median (earning apps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 27,799 | 10.0% | 16.8% | $1,714 |
| Graphics & Design | 6,034 | 4.7% | 9.3% | $1,069 |
| Photo & Video | 17,667 | 4.3% | 8.9% | $750 |
| Finance | 36,828 | 4.0% | 11.8% | $536 |
| Music | 18,263 | 3.2% | 7.9% | $643 |
| Book | 8,011 | 2.8% | 7.3% | $643 |
| Navigation | 8,905 | 2.8% | 6.5% | $643 |
| Entertainment | 31,025 | 2.7% | 6.8% | $643 |
| Health & Fitness | 47,518 | 2.6% | 6.1% | $643 |
| Reference | 15,003 | 2.5% | 6.3% | $643 |
| News | 10,916 | 2.4% | 7.7% | $536 |
| Medical | 17,137 | 2.3% | 5.7% | $643 |
| Social Networking | 16,430 | 2.2% | 5.1% | $643 |
| Sports | 22,081 | 1.8% | 4.8% | $536 |
| Lifestyle | 56,115 | 1.8% | 4.5% | $643 |
| Utilities | 75,952 | 1.8% | 4.6% | $643 |
| Shopping | 30,504 | 1.8% | 4.6% | $536 |
| Travel | 30,071 | 1.8% | 5.2% | $429 |
| Productivity | 48,548 | 1.7% | 4.1% | $643 |
| Education | 86,732 | 1.3% | 3.7% | $643 |
| Food & Drink | 40,891 | 1.2% | 4.3% | $321 |
| Business | 97,521 | 0.7% | 2.1% | $429 |
Source: GetAppNiche analysis of 761,898 iOS App Store apps, May 2026 snapshot. Estimates, not audited figures — methodology in how app revenue estimation works.
What this means
Three takeaways for founders
- Averages lie. The dataset's mean is ~$1,549/month — 24× the median reality — because a handful of giants skew it. Plan around medians and percentiles, not averages.
- Category choice moves your odds ~14×. 10% of Games clear $1k/month vs 0.7% of Business apps. Pick the pond before the fish: see finding profitable iOS niches.
- Research beats optimism. Before building, estimate what incumbents actually earn in your niche — free, in the revenue checker — then validate demand with a proper validation pass.
FAQ
How much apps make — quick answers
How much does the average app make?
The honest answer: the median iOS app makes approximately $0. Across 761,898 App Store apps we analyzed, only about 5.5% show any meaningful revenue signal at all, and just 2.2% clear an estimated $1,000/month. Among apps that DO earn, the median is roughly $643/month and the top 10% make $17,250+/month. Averages you see elsewhere (our dataset's mean is ~$1,549/month) are skewed by a tiny number of huge winners.
Which app category makes the most money?
Games, by a wide margin: 10% of games clear an estimated $1,000/month (5× the overall rate), and the median earning game makes ~$1,714/month. Graphics & Design, Photo & Video, and Finance follow. Business and Food & Drink are the hardest categories — under 1.2% of apps there reach $1,000/month.
How can I check how much a specific app makes?
Apple doesn't publish per-app revenue, so every figure is an estimate. You can look up any iOS app's estimated monthly revenue and downloads free (no account) with the GetAppNiche app revenue checker — it models revenue from review velocity, rating volume, price model, and category signals, and shows you the inputs.
Are these numbers exact?
No — they are transparent estimates derived from public App Store signals across 761,898 iOS apps (data snapshot: May 2026). No third party has exact revenue data; treat all figures here (and anywhere else) as directional. Our methodology is documented and the inputs are visible per app.
What does it take to be in the top 10% of earning apps?
Among apps with any revenue signal, the 90th percentile is an estimated $17,250/month. Getting there almost always means a proven niche with demonstrated demand, subscription monetization, and consistent App Store keyword visibility — not a novel idea with zero competitors.