The App Store is 10 years old and the most downloaded and highest earning apps have been revealed

Ten years ago today, Apple launched the App Store for iOS, which went on to change the mobile landscape forever. Looking back over the years, there are some very interesting stats worthy of note, including the top apps of all time from the last decade and the highest earners.

At this point, the App Store has generated over $130 billion in revenue, with yearly spend consistently leapfrogging each year. Unsurprisingly, most of the top ten most downloaded apps this year are social media or chat related. According to AppAnnie's research, the top ten all-time apps on iOS are:

1. Facebook
2. Facebook Messenger
3. YouTube
4. Instagram
5. WhatsApp Messenger
6. Google Maps
7. Snapchat
8. Skype
9. WeChat
10. QQ

Most of these apps are based in the US, and a good chunk of them are owned by Mark Zuckerberg. However, Tencent also appears to be doing well, with WeChat and QQ making the top ten list from China.

In terms of all-time worldwide consumer spend, the list looks very different. Netflix takes the number one spot, with Spotify and Pandora Radio following behind. Tencent Video, Tinder and Line take up the fourth, fifth and sixth spots. Finally, iQlYl, HBO Now, Kwai and QQ finish off the list.

For gaming, mobile has been a huge cash cow, and that is evident in this list. The top ten downloaded games of all time on iOS include:

1. Candy Crush Saga
2. Subway Surfers
3. Fruit Ninja
4. Clash of Clans
5. Honour of Kings
6. Minion Rush
7. Angry Birds
8. Temple Run 2
9. Temple Run
10. Asphalt 8: Airborne

Unsurprisingly, Clash of Clans and Candy Crush Saga also take up the first two spots on the all-time highest earning games. Here is the full list for top games based on all-time worldwide consumer spend:

1. Clash of Clans
2. Candy Crush Saga
3. Monster Strike
4. Puzzle & Dragons
5. Honour of Kings
6. Fantasy Westward Journey
7. Game of War- Fire Age
8. Fate/Grand Order
9. Clash Royale
10. Pokémon Go

As we already know, Pokémon Go has made $1.8 billion since launching two years ago. With that in mind, you can guess what some of the higher earners on this list have made over the years.

KitGuru Says: The App Store paved the way for mobile software development to turn into the huge market it is today. Have many of you used the apps on these lists? 

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