How Do I Research Which App Category Has the Most Downloads?

Picture a productivity app company spending months developing what they think is the next big thing in task management. They've got beautiful designs, smooth animations, and features that would make any productivity enthusiast excited. But here's the problem—they never bothered to check if productivity apps actually get downloaded much compared to other categories. Three months after launch, they're scratching their heads wondering why their downloads are stuck in the hundreds whilst gaming apps in the charts are pulling in millions.

This scenario happens more often than you'd think in mobile app development. Choosing the right app category isn't just about what you want to build; it's about understanding where the real download opportunities exist. Some categories are absolutely massive in terms of user demand, whilst others might be brilliant ideas but serve much smaller audiences.

The difference between launching in a high-demand category versus a niche one can mean the difference between thousands and millions of potential users

That's exactly why proper market analysis matters so much when you're planning your mobile app strategy. You need solid app store analytics data to back up your decisions—not just gut feelings or assumptions about what people want. The good news is that this kind of research isn't as complicated as it might sound. You don't need expensive consultants or months of analysis to get meaningful insights about category performance. What you do need is the right approach to finding and interpreting download data. This guide will walk you through exactly how to research app categories, find reliable data sources, and make sense of what those numbers actually mean for your app's potential success.

Understanding App Store Categories

Before you can research which app categories get the most downloads, you need to understand how app stores actually organise their apps. Both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store use category systems—but they're not identical, which can make things a bit tricky when you're doing your research.

The App Store uses categories like Games, Social Networking, Entertainment, and Productivity. Google Play has similar ones but with slightly different names and groupings. Games is always the biggest category on both platforms, but within that you'll find subcategories like Action, Puzzle, and Strategy games.

Main Category Types

Most app stores split their categories into two main groups: gaming apps and everything else. The "everything else" includes productivity apps, social media apps, shopping apps, and loads more. This distinction matters because gaming apps typically dominate download charts, but non-gaming categories can be much more profitable for certain types of businesses.

• Games (Action, Puzzle, Strategy, Role Playing, etc.)
• Social Networking (messaging, dating, community apps)
• Entertainment (streaming, music, video apps)
• Shopping (retail, marketplace, fashion apps)
• Productivity (task management, note-taking, business apps)
• Health & Fitness (workout, meditation, tracking apps)
• Education (learning, reference, skill-building apps)
• Finance (banking, budgeting, investment apps)

Why Categories Matter for Research

Understanding these categories helps you focus your research efforts. If you're planning a fitness app, you don't need to worry about gaming download numbers—you need to look at Health & Fitness category performance. Categories also change over time; new ones get added when technology trends shift, and some get merged or renamed when user behaviour changes.

Finding Download Data Sources

Right, so you want to know which mobile app categories are pulling in the most downloads—but where on earth do you actually find this information? The good news is that there are several reliable places to get your hands on download data, though some are more accessible than others.

App stores themselves provide some basic information, but they're quite limited. Apple's App Store and Google Play show you top charts and trending apps, which gives you a rough idea of what's popular. You can browse by category and see which apps are ranking highest, but the actual download numbers? Not so much. They keep those cards close to their chest.

Third-Party Analytics Platforms

This is where third-party analytics platforms come in handy. Companies like App Annie (now called data.ai), Sensor Tower, and Apptopia collect and analyse download data from multiple sources. They use a combination of publicly available information, partnerships with companies, and their own algorithms to estimate download figures across different categories.

Some of these platforms offer free reports and basic data, whilst others require paid subscriptions for the really detailed stuff. The free versions are often enough to get a general understanding of category performance—perfect for app market analysis when you're just starting out.

Start with the free resources first. Many analytics platforms publish annual reports and category insights that you can access without paying a penny. These reports often contain exactly the high-level category data you need.

Industry Reports and Research

Don't overlook industry reports from research firms and marketing agencies. These often contain valuable app store analytics and download data broken down by category. They're particularly useful because they usually include analysis and context, not just raw numbers.

Using App Store Analytics Tools

Right, let's get into the proper tools that'll help you dig out the download numbers you're after. There are quite a few analytics platforms out there, and I'll be honest—some are better than others when it comes to getting reliable category data.

App Annie (now called data.ai) is probably the most well-known tool in this space. It gives you decent insights into download estimates across different categories, though you'll need to pay for the really detailed stuff. Sensor Tower is another solid option that many developers swear by; it's particularly good at breaking down gaming categories versus everything else.

Free vs Paid Analytics Tools

Before you start throwing money at premium subscriptions, try the free versions first. Most platforms offer basic category rankings and rough download estimates without charging you a penny. Google Play Console and App Store Connect also provide some category insights if you already have apps published—though obviously this won't help if you're just starting out.

What Data Should You Actually Look For

When you're browsing these tools, focus on monthly active downloads rather than total lifetime downloads. The lifetime numbers can be misleading because they include apps that were popular years ago but are now dead in the water.

• Monthly download estimates by category
• Top performing apps in each category
• Category growth trends over the past 12 months
• Regional breakdown of downloads
• Revenue data alongside download figures

Keep in mind that these tools provide estimates, not exact figures. The actual download numbers are closely guarded secrets that only Apple and Google know for certain.

Analysing Gaming vs Non-Gaming Apps

When you're digging into mobile app market analysis, one of the biggest divides you'll encounter is between gaming and non-gaming apps. These two categories behave completely differently in terms of downloads, user behaviour, and market performance—and understanding this split is crucial for your research.

Gaming apps typically dominate download charts, but here's the thing that catches most people off guard: they don't always dominate revenue charts in the same way. Games rely heavily on freemium models where the initial download costs nothing, but players spend money on in-app purchases later. This creates massive download numbers that can skew your data if you're not careful.

Understanding Download Patterns

Non-gaming apps tend to have steadier, more predictable download patterns. Think productivity apps, social media platforms, or shopping apps—people download these when they need them and often keep them installed for months or years. Games, on the other hand, can explode overnight thanks to viral marketing or influencer promotion, then fade just as quickly.

The key difference between gaming and non-gaming apps isn't just download volume—it's user retention and lifetime value that really tells the story

What This Means for Your Analysis

When using app store analytics tools, separate your research by category from the start. Gaming downloads might look impressive, but if you're building a productivity app, those numbers won't reflect your realistic market opportunity. Look at engagement metrics too—games might get downloaded more, but utility apps often have better long-term retention rates. This distinction will help you make sense of the data patterns you're seeing and set realistic expectations for your own app's performance.

Comparing Regional Download Patterns

Different parts of the world love different types of apps—and this matters more than you might think when researching download patterns. What's popular in the UK won't necessarily be popular in Japan or Brazil. I've seen brilliant apps fail simply because they launched in the wrong market first.

When you're looking at download data, always filter by region. The App Store and Google Play both show different trending categories depending on which country you're viewing from. Gaming might dominate in South Korea, whilst productivity apps could be winning in Germany. Social media apps often perform differently across cultures too.

Key Regional Differences to Watch

Some patterns emerge when you dig into the data. Asian markets tend to favour gaming and social apps heavily. European markets often show strong performance in lifestyle and productivity categories. American markets usually have a good mix across all categories, but with particularly strong entertainment and shopping app downloads.

Payment preferences also affect what gets downloaded. Countries with strong mobile payment systems see more shopping and finance apps in their top downloads. Places where people prefer cash transactions show different patterns entirely.

Tools for Regional Analysis

Most app intelligence platforms let you filter data by country or region. Here's what to look for:

• App Annie (now data.ai) offers detailed regional breakdowns
• Sensor Tower provides country-specific trending data
• Google Play Console shows geographic performance if you have an app
• App Store Connect gives regional insights for iOS

Don't just look at download numbers though—check revenue data too. Some regions download lots of free apps but rarely pay for premium features. Others have fewer downloads but much higher spending per user.

Tracking Category Performance Over Time

Looking at app category performance isn't a one-time job—it's something you need to track regularly to spot trends and changes. Download patterns shift constantly, and what's popular today might not be tomorrow. That's why setting up a proper tracking system is so important for your mobile app market analysis.

Most mobile app analytics tools let you view historical data, which is brilliant for spotting patterns. You can see how gaming apps perform during school holidays, or how productivity apps spike at the start of each year. These patterns repeat themselves, and understanding them gives you a massive advantage when planning your app launch or updates.

Set up monthly reports to track your chosen categories automatically—this saves time and ensures you don't miss important shifts in the market.

Key Metrics to Track Monthly

• Total downloads per category
• Average downloads per app in each category
• New app releases in each category
• Top-performing apps and their download numbers
• Seasonal variations and trends
• Regional performance differences

The data becomes more valuable over time. After six months of tracking, you'll start seeing clear patterns emerge. Gaming might dominate during certain months whilst productivity apps surge at others. These insights help you time your launches perfectly and understand when to push marketing campaigns.

Remember to export your data regularly—app store analytics platforms sometimes change their data retention policies. Having your own backup ensures you won't lose months of research. Most tools offer CSV exports, making it easy to create your own tracking spreadsheets or import data into other analysis tools.

Making Sense of Your Research Data

Right, so you've gathered all this data about app downloads across different categories—now what? This is where many people get overwhelmed, and I completely understand why. You're looking at spreadsheets full of numbers, charts that seem to contradict each other, and regional differences that don't make immediate sense.

The first thing to remember is that raw download numbers only tell part of the story. A category might have millions of downloads, but if those apps have terrible retention rates or generate no revenue, that's not particularly useful information for your planning.

Look for Patterns, Not Just Numbers

Start by identifying consistent trends across your data sources. If three different analytics tools show gaming apps dominating downloads in your target region, that's a pattern worth noting. But if one tool shows productivity apps at the top whilst another shows social media leading, you'll need to dig deeper into why those discrepancies exist.

Pay attention to seasonal fluctuations too—fitness apps might spike in January and May, whilst shopping apps peak during holiday periods. These patterns can influence your launch timing and marketing strategy significantly.

Context Matters More Than Rankings

Don't just focus on which category ranks first. Look at the gaps between categories and how they're changing over time. A category that's consistently growing month-on-month might be more promising than the current leader that's plateauing.

• Compare download velocity rather than just total numbers
• Check if high-download categories align with your app concept
• Consider market saturation levels in top-performing categories
• Evaluate whether you have the resources to compete effectively

Your research data should inform your decision, not make it for you. The "best" category for downloads might not be the best fit for your specific app idea or business goals.

Conclusion

Right then, we've covered a lot of ground in this guide—from understanding app store categories to diving deep into analytics tools and regional patterns. By now you should have a solid grasp of how to research which mobile app categories are pulling in the most downloads.

The truth is, there's no single "best" category that guarantees success. Gaming might dominate download numbers globally, but that doesn't mean your productivity app can't find its audience. What matters is understanding your specific market, your target users, and how your app fits into the bigger picture.

Market analysis isn't a one-and-done task either. App trends shift constantly—what's popular today might be yesterday's news in six months. That's why tracking category performance over time is so valuable. Keep monitoring those app store analytics, watch for seasonal patterns, and pay attention to regional differences if you're planning to expand internationally.

The research methods we've discussed will give you the data you need, but remember that numbers only tell part of the story. Look beyond the download figures and consider user engagement, retention rates, and monetisation potential. A category with fewer downloads but higher user engagement might actually be more profitable for your mobile app.

Start with the free analytics tools we've mentioned, get comfortable with the data, and then decide if you need more detailed insights from premium platforms. Most importantly, use this research to inform your decisions, not dictate them entirely. Your app's success will depend on execution just as much as market positioning.