Developers Have Earned $550B on Apple’s App Store Since 2008

Apple said its services business delivered a “record-breaking year,” according to a blog post from senior vice president Eddy Cue.

In 2025, Apple reported an average of 850 million weekly App Store users, up from 813 million in 2024. The company also said Apple Pay surpassed $100 billion in merchant sales, while monthly engagement on Apple TV rose 36%.

Apple Music also recorded its best year ever for listenership and new subscriber growth, a notable achievement in a market long dominated by Spotify.

Apple disclosed that developers have now earned a total of $550 billion from the App Store since its launch in 2008. The figure underscores how quickly payouts have accelerated in recent years. Apple reported in 2021 that developers had earned $260 billion, up from $200 billion in 2020.

The App Store typically takes a 30% commission on in-app purchases, though developers earning under $1 million annually qualify for a reduced 15% fee. This revenue model has faced sustained regulatory scrutiny, with courts and regulators in multiple countries investigating whether Apple’s practices constitute monopolistic conduct.

Apple Music and Apple TV continue to grow.

Apple’s entertainment services also showed strong momentum. Apple TV surpassed all previous viewership records in December 2025, the company said, while Apple Music reached new highs in listening hours and subscriber additions.

Apple TV’s growth has been driven by new releases such as “Pluribus” and “The Studio,” alongside ongoing hits like “Severance.” The platform has also expanded its sports offerings through major streaming deals with Major League Soccer and Formula 1.
“F1,” Apple TV’s film centred on the racing series, became Apple Studios’ highest-grossing movie to date, and the most significant box office success of actor Brad Pitt’s career.

Apple attributed some of its music growth to features such as its karaoke-style “Sing” mode, partnerships with companies including General Motors and JPMorgan Chase, and continued expansion of Shazam, which now logs more than 1 billion song recognitions per month.

Market dynamics may also have played a role. Spotify has faced criticism over CEO Daniel Ek’s investment firm leading a €600 million round in the European defence technology company Helsing, which develops AI-powered military software and strike drones. In response, several artists — including Xiu Xiu, Sylvan Esso, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and Deerhoof — removed their catalogues from Spotify.

Spotify has also weathered past controversies, including criticism over COVID-19 misinformation linked to The Joe Rogan Experience and ongoing debates around artist payout structures.

At the same time, Apple Music’s growth may reflect user preference. The service continues to attract listeners who prefer a more curated experience to algorithm-driven recommendations. Pricing incentives could also be a factor, as Apple offers three months of free Apple Music with the purchase of most new Apple devices — an appealing proposition amid uncertain economic conditions.