Key Market Insights for 2026

• The “Google One” Dominance: Unlike the iOS App Store, where TikTok often takes the #1 spot, Google One is consistently the top earner on Android. This is largely due to its deep integration with the Android ecosystem for device backups and storage.
• AI Monetization: ChatGPT has surged into the top 10 as AI assistants transition from “novelty” to “essential productivity tools,” with users willing to pay for priority access and advanced models.
• Gaming Resilience: Despite the rise of subscription apps, 5 out of the top 10 apps are still games. Games like Last War: Survival and Royal Match lead the charge by using high-frequency engagement loops.
• Subscription Shift: We are seeing a massive shift where non-gaming apps (like Disney+ and Tinder) are maintaining steadier revenue growth compared to the volatile “hit-driven” nature of mobile games.

The top grossing category is games followed by Google One’s dominance in utilities. Productivity apps take the smallest share of the pie but with the advancement of more AI tools, this could change in the coming few years.

Source: Google Gemini