Top Grossing Apps of 2017

2017 was a strong year for app earnings, with a pool of new titles and a number of significant updates to existing apps. According to reports, the global mobile app revenue and downloads hit record levels in the last year. What made this more remarkable is mobile games alone accounted for 77 percent of all global revenue on Apple’s App Store for the second quarter, and approximately 88 percent of spending on Google Play. When analyzing global app revenue of 2017 in terms of in-app purchases and in-app advertising, we could see tremendous growth over time and an increase in app revenue and downloads throughout the year as well. We’ve made a list of the top grossing apps of 2017 based on gross revenue earned and future forecast for success.

Tinder

Tinder has been on the list of top iOS apps by daily revenue throughout 2017. Tinder allows people to find dating partners according to one’s geographic location and common interests. Majority-owned by InterActiveCorp, Tinder was launched in 2012 and is available in 31 languages worldwide. According to reports, by March 2014, Tinder had generated one billion matches. With the launch of Tinder Plus, Tinder jumped from spot 969 to 26 in the iOS download charts in March 2015. Tinder was initially launched as a fully free application. It began offering in-app purchases in 2015 and Tinder has grossed more than $450 million across the App Store and Google Play worldwide. Its worldwide 2017 revenue grew approximately 152% year-over-year. With over $2,483,434 daily revenue, Tinder was ranked #1 among the top grossing non-game apps of 2017.

Candy Crush Saga

A super addictive puzzle game is one of 200 games created by King, claiming its position in the list of top 10 grossing apps for the past five years. The smash hit was released in 2012 and has now crossed more than 2.73 billion downloads. Candy Crush Saga has achieved 48 percent growth in revenue from Q2 2016 to Q2 2017, from nearly $146 million to a little over $216 million. The revenue figure shot up to more than $250 million in the third quarter of 2017. A free app, Candy Crush Saga is primarily monetized through in-app purchases from which King makes its revenue. According to reports, the estimate of Candy Crush Saga is $2,237,328 and the app has been ranked as number #1 among the top grossing games of 2017.

Netflix

Netflix remains a top grossing app for the third consecutive quarter across the App Store and Google Play worldwide. According to the Sensor Tower report, Netflix’s worldwide revenue from its mobile application has increased by 233% to $153 million during the second quarter of 2017. Sensor Tower also added that, in the last quarter of 2017, Netflix’s revenue reached $133 million USD globally, marking a 286 percent increase compared to the $34.6 million in revenues from Q1 2016. With estimated daily revenue of $2,237,328, Netflix was ranked #2 among the top grossing non-game apps of 2017.

Candy Crush Soda Saga

Once again, King has claimed a spot in the Apple app store chart of top grossing games of 2017 with another sugary entry – the Candy Crush Soda Saga. The game is free to download but charges players for in-game features. Launched in 2014, Candy Crush Soda grew by 29% from Q2 2016 to Q2 2017, generating almost $91 million in Q2 2016 and nearly $118 million in Q2 2017, according to a Sensor Tower report. The estimated daily revenue of Candy Crush Soda Saga is $1,677,295 and the app has reached #2 on the list of top grossing game apps of 2017.

Clash Royale

Clash Royale is a real-time strategy video game that combines elements from collectible card games, tower defense, and multiplayer online battle arenas. The game was published in 2016 and within less than a year after its launch, Clash Royale has grossed $1 billion in revenue. The app uses a freemium revenue model and makes money through in-app purchases. Topping the charts in 131 countries, Clash Royale is ranked #3 among the top grossing iOS games of 2017 with estimated daily revenue of $1,286,317 and 30,109 daily installs.

Clash of Clans

One other Clash title form Supercell, Clash of Clans is an addictive war strategy game that remains on the list of top-earning applications since its launch in 2012. A free game that makes use of in-app purchases to make revenue, Clash of Clans was ranked #2 in the top grossing games in 2016 according to App Annie. Clash of Clans has been installed 30,812 times a day and was ranked in the top grossing apps list. With daily revenue of $384,767, Clash of Clans was ranked #10 on the list of top grossing games of 2017.

Roblox

Roblox, an MMOG that allows players and developers to create adventures, play games, role play, and learn with friends in a family within immersive 3D worlds. The gaming platform was launched in 2006 by Roblox Corporation. An online virtual playground and workshop, Roblox has 56 million visitors a month and generates more than $50,000 a month in revenue. Roblox is now accessible on phones, tablets, desktops, Xbox One, Oculus Rift, and other popular VR platforms. With over 29 million user-generated online games, Roblox has been generating daily revenue of $255,536 and was ranked as #12 on the top grossing list of free games in 2017.

MADDEN NFL

Football Freemium sports game Madden NFL Football was developed by EA Sports. The game was released as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS on 2011. Looking ahead to the fiscal year 2018, EA also announced the new Madden NFL entry ‘Madden NFL 18,’ and the game spikes the sales charts in 2017 with a total video game spending of more than $568 million. This figure includes revenue from hardware, console software, PC software, and accessories. MADDEN NFL Football was the overall top-selling video game for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2017. With daily revenue of $238,466 and 29,507 daily installs Madden NFL Football was and ranked #14 on the list of top grossing apps of 2017.

Lords Mobile

Lords Mobile is a real-time strategy war game developed and published in 2016 by IGG. The MMO is free-to-play and offers in-app purchases. Just a few months after launch, Lords mobile recorded revenue to be $1 billion which, contributes 39% of IGG’s revenue during the year. In the same year, Lord Mobile won the Google Play award for the Best Competitive Game. In 2017 it was nominated for the Best Multiplayer Game. Currently available in 16 languages worldwide, the game ranks as a top app in 28 countries and has 48,340 daily installs. A report from App Annie states Lords Mobile is the top grossing strategy game app on the iOS App Store and Google Play, claiming more than 65 million players around the world. Lords mobile is ranked #17 on the list of top grossing apps of 2017, with estimated daily revenue of $204,745.

Pokemon Go

The augmented reality game Pokémon Go launched in 2016 by Niantic.Inc was a breakout hit. Reports say the app became popular within days and scored millions of downloads across both iOS and Android. In the very first day after launch, Pokémon Go scored 6 million downloads in the US, New Zealand, and Australia. Currently, the Pokémon Go app has more than five million daily active users globally, and is getting 29,265 daily installs. A free app with in-app purchases Pokémon Go makes daily revenue of $189,804 and was ranked #19 on the list of top grossing games of 2017.