Google Play Store Metrics

A Comprehensive Study on App Distribution, Monetization, and Category Trends.

Executive Summary: As of late 2025, the Google Play Store has evolved into a highly curated ecosystem of 1.63 million active applications. This report analyzes the shift from “volume-first” to “quality-first” distribution, the near-total dominance of the freemium model (97% of apps), and the high-revenue surge within the Casino sub-sector.

1. The State of the Ecosystem

The Android marketplace currently processes over 1.2 billion downloads annually, driven largely by emerging markets in India, Brazil, and Indonesia. While the total number of apps is lower than its 2021 peak, the revenue per active app has increased by 14% due to better engagement standards enforced by Google in 2024.

Figure 1: Top 5 Categories (Volume Share)
Figure 2: Submission vs. Removal Rate (2025)

2. Deep Dive: Casino & Gambling Sub-Sector

The “Whale” Economy: Despite representing only 0.6% of total app volume, the Casino category is a top 5 revenue generator. In 2025, while standard RPG revenue on Play Store dipped, Casino downloads grew by **27.8%** year-over-year. Most developers in this space have shifted to Social Casino models to bypass strict regional gambling licenses while maximizing IAP (In-App Purchases).

3. Category Distribution Metrics

Below is the live count for the top 40 categories on Google Play. Click headers to sort by volume or trend.

Category ↕ App Count ↕ Avg Rating ↕ Status ↕

4. Conclusion: AI and Curation

The 2025 landscape is defined by two forces: the removal of “Do-Nothing” apps and the rise of AI-powered personalization. Categories like Education and Finance have seen the highest integration of AI agents, while Tools remain the backbone of the global Android experience.

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