Apps Make More Money on iPhone than Android, According to Flurry
Flurry, a mobile analytics firm, has been shouting this from the rooftops for years, and their data paints a clear picture. In 2011, they found that for every $1.00 an iOS app earned, the same app on Android made just $0.24—a 300% revenue gap. But why does this happen, and is it still true in 2025? Let’s break down Flurry’s findings, explore why iPhone users spend more, and see what’s changed in the iOS vs. Android money game.
Flurry’s Big Claim: iOS Apps Outshine Android
Back in 2011, Flurry dropped a bombshell in their report, as covered by AppleInsider. They analyzed top apps available on both iOS and Android, crunching in-app purchase data from millions of daily active users. The result? iOS apps generated four times more revenue than Android versions—$1.00 on iOS equaled just $0.24 on Android. This wasn’t just a one-off; developers consistently told Flurry they made three to four times more on iOS, driving a 3:1 ratio of new iOS app projects over Android in 2011.
Why the gap? Flurry pointed to Apple’s payment system. When you set up an iOS device, you link a credit or gift card to your iTunes account, making 100% of users payment-ready. Android didn’t require this, so fewer users were set up to buy apps or in-app purchases, limiting revenue. Developer.com’s 2011 coverage echoed this, noting that Android’s lack of a seamless payment setup hurt its earning potential.
Why iPhone Users Spend More
I’ve noticed this myself—iPhone users, including me, don’t blink at dropping a few bucks on an app or in-game purchase. But what makes us so spend-happy compared to Android users?
Wealthier demographics prefer iOS, aligning with research showing that wealthier markets significantly lead in new iOS activations, especially in regions like the U.S. This means more disposable income for apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases.
- Seamless Payment System: Apple’s iTunes integration makes buying effortless—one tap, and you’re done. Android’s payment setup was clunkier in 2011, and even in 2025, Google Play’s checkout isn’t as universal, per Business of Apps’ monetization guide.
- Premium App Ecosystem: iOS has more paid apps and in-app purchases, while Android leans on ad-supported free apps. AppMySite’s 2025 report says 13.5% of iOS app downloads are paid vs. 1.3% on Android, boosting iOS revenue.
- Brand Loyalty: iPhone users stick with Apple—92% upgrade to another iPhone, per Entrepreneurship Life’s 2019 analysis. This loyalty extends to apps, with users more willing to spend within Apple’s ecosystem.
- Lower Piracy Rates: Android’s open platform makes piracy a bigger issue—over 50% of developers reported piracy problems in 2011, per AppleInsider. iOS’s closed system keeps piracy low, ensuring more paid purchases.
These factors create a perfect storm: iPhone users are primed to spend, and Apple’s ecosystem makes it easy.
Has the Gap Narrowed in 2025?
Flurry’s 2011 data is old, and the mobile landscape has shifted. Android’s massive global market share makes it essential for developers to follow best practices for maximum exposure on app stores, particularly in markets like India and Vietnam.
But iOS still leads in revenue.
- Revenue Stats: In Q1 2021, the App Store generated $31.8 billion vs. Google Play’s $36.7 billion, but iOS apps still earned nearly double per user, per AppMySite. By 2025, iOS is projected to hit $200 billion in consumer spending, far outpacing Android.
- In-App Purchases: 48.2% of mobile app earnings come from in-app purchases, with iOS users spending 2.5 times more, per Entrepreneurship Life. Android’s ad-heavy model can’t keep up.
- Closing the Gap: Android’s revenue is growing—Google Play saw a 40% year-over-year increase in Q1 2017, per Business 2 Community. Google Wallet and better checkout systems have helped, but iOS remains the revenue king.
- U.S. Dominance: iOS overtook Android in U.S. market share by Q2 2022, with 50%+ of smartphones, per Netguru. Since U.S. users spend more, this boosts iOS app earnings.
Developer experiences vary, with some premium Android games earning well despite the belief that freemium apps may generally be more profitable due to higher engagement and retention on iOS.
How Developers Cash In on iOS
Flurry’s data shaped how I think about app monetization, and developers are still leaning into iOS for bigger profits.
- In-App Purchases: iOS users love in-app purchases—79% of gaming apps use them, per AppMySite. Games like Candy Crush earn billions through boosters and lives.
- Subscriptions: Subscription apps cost significantly more, aligning with debates around whether $4.99 is becoming the new premium app price point, especially for ad-free streaming features.
- Paid Apps: iPaid apps thrive more on iOS, emphasizing why developers must carefully consider pricing strategies for their iPhone apps to capture upfront revenues.
- Higher Engagement: iOS users spend 4x longer in apps than Android users, per Business 2 Community, leading to more ad views and purchases.
A 2010 Mashable report noted that iOS’s early adoption of in-app purchases (since iPhone 3.0 in 2009) gave it a head start over Android, which lacked in-app purchases until later. This set the stage for iOS’s revenue dominance.
Challenges for Android Apps
Android’s not out of the game, but it faces hurdles that keep its apps from matching iOS revenue:
- Fragmentation: Android’s wide range of devices and OS versions makes development trickier. iOS developers target a few devices, while Android needs multiple versions, per Dice’s 2025 developer guide.
- Piracy Issues: Over 50% of Android developers faced piracy in 2011, per AppleInsider, reducing paid app revenue.
- Ad-Heavy Model: Android relies more on ads, which earn less than in-app purchases. Business 2 Community says Android’s ad-based apps generate only 24% of iOS revenue.
- Lower Spending in Developing Markets: Android dominates in countries with lower incomes, where users are less likely to spend, per Entrepreneurship Life.
Comparison: iOS vs. Android Revenue in 2025
Here’s a quick look at how iOS and Android stack up, based on my research:
| Metric | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|
| App Store Revenue (Q1 2021) | $31.8 billion | $36.7 billion |
| Revenue per User (2025) | ~2.5x higher | Lower |
| Paid App Share | 13.5% | 1.3% |
| In-App Purchase Share | 48.2% of earnings | Lower reliance |
| Market Share (U.S., 2022) | 50%+ | ~49% |
| Global Downloads (2024) | 8.4 billion | 25.6 billion |
What’s Changed Since Flurry’s Report?
Flurry’s 2011 findings held strong for years, but Android has made strides. Dice’s 2025 analysis notes that Android’s revenue gap is narrowing as its user base grows in developing markets and Google improves payment systems. Still, iOS’s higher per-user spending, especially in the U.S., keeps it ahead. A 2015 Business Insider report showed iOS users spent $125.83 on average vs. $107.60 for Android users during holiday shopping, and this trend persists.
Interestingly, a 2012 Cult of Mac article suggested Android apps briefly out earned iOS in a 45-day period in 2012, with $1.00 on iOS equaling $1.12 on Android (including Amazon Appstore). But this was an outlier, and Flurry’s broader data leaned heavily toward iOS.
My Playbook for Developers in 2025
If you’re a developer looking to cash in, here’s how I’d approach it, based on Flurry’s insights and current trends:
- Prioritize iOS for Revenue: Launch on iOS first to tap into higher per-user spending, especially for in-app purchases or subscriptions. AppMySite says iOS earns nearly double Android’s revenue yearly.
- Use Freemium Models: Free apps with in-app purchases dominate—48.2% of app earnings come from this model, per AppMySite. iOS users are more likely to buy.
- Target U.S. Users: iOS’s 50%+ U.S. market share and higher spending make it ideal for American audiences, per Netguru.
- Don’t Ignore Android: Android’s 25.6 billion downloads in Q1 2024 dwarf iOS’s 8.4 billion, so it’s great for ad-based apps or global reach, per Appinventiv.
- Optimize for Engagement: iOS users stick around longer, so focus on retention with updates and new features, as Business 2 Community suggests.
Why iOS Still Wins the Revenue Race
Flurry’s 2011 report set the stage, and even in 2025, iOS apps make more money than Android, thanks to wealthier users, a seamless payment system, and a premium app ecosystem. While Android’s massive download numbers and improving revenue models are closing the gap, iOS remains the go-to for developers chasing big bucks. Dice sums it up: iOS users spend more, and that’s critical for revenue-driven apps.
