Apps. They really do possess a life of their own. Some days, it appears as though everyone is engrossed in a particular app, only for it to fade into obscurity the very next day. The fleeting lifespan of these applications, downloadable onto various devices such as mobile phones and laptops, stems from shifting demands, evolving preferences, fluctuating prices, and occasionally, security concerns.
Indeed, preferences can shift overnight, rendering what was once in fashion a memory of yesterday, and 2023 was no exception. Various studies, including those conducted by the Apple App Store, have unveiled the most widely installed apps of 2023. Let us delve into the findings.
Top 10 Most Installed Apps Of 2023
Temu
For those who haven’t yet discovered the joys of Temu, it may be time to get acquainted. Temu is the US offshoot of the Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, offering an online shopping platform where you can order just about anything you can imagine for ultra-low prices.
Platforms like Amazon and eBay have paved the way for the emergence of platforms such as Temu, which is now making waves globally. However, despite its considerable popularity last year, concerns have arisen regarding damaged or misrepresented items, as well as skepticism surrounding its ability to sustain such low prices. So, one can only wait and see if these issues are just growing pains that need to be ironed out or not.
Vinted
Vinted’s popularity is a positive sign of the times, indicating a growing interest in second-hand fashion. As opposed to indulging in fast fashion, which can have harmful effects on the planet, it appears that more individuals are embracing the numerous advantages of pre-loved items.
According to Statista, the online marketplace was downloaded over 2.3m times in 2023. Not its most record-breaking year, but still more than enough to land it in the top ranks of most installed apps.
CapCut
CapCut stands out as a notably popular video editing tool, securing the impressive position of #2 among all Photo and Video apps on the App Store, accompanied by consistently high user ratings. Developed by Bytedance, the same company responsible for TikTok, CapCut presents intuitive video editing capabilities, empowering users to craft top-quality videos effortlessly. Its feature set includes auto-captions, text-to-speech functionality, motion tracking, and background removal, facilitating the creation of professional-grade content.
TikTok
For better or worse, TikTok is still high in the ranks for app installation, indicating that, thanks to its immense popularity after its release during the pandemic years, it will likely be a good while yet, if ever, before the TikTok flame dies out.
In fact, according to Statista, a staggering statistic emerged in June 2023: WhatsApp was the most downloaded chat and messaging app globally, accumulating approximately 45.85m downloads across both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Based on Apple’s App Store data, Google has had a very good year indeed. Google, Google Maps, and Google Chrome all secured positions among the most downloaded apps on the platform.
The surge in Google’s popularity last year can be attributed to the introduction of various new features, notably including AI-powered search capabilities. Statista reports that Google commands approximately 83% of the global search engine market. With such compelling statistics from the previous year, it appears this is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Roblox
For younger individuals or parents with children, the widespread popularity of Roblox may not come as a shock. Available across numerous app platforms including the Apple App Store, Google Play, PlayStation, Xbox, Meta Quest, and others, Roblox has captured global attention.
This is an app that allows users to create a virtual universe that lets them create, share experiences with friends, and be anything they can imagine. Although not as well-known as Fortnite or Minecraft, Roblox has rapidly been gaining popularity and this trajectory is sure to keep going up in 2024.
Despite having a dip last year, Instagram is still among one of the most popular social media apps globally. Continuously dedicated to introducing fresh and engaging features like Close Friend stories and Reels, Instagram maintains its appeal as an entertaining platform. In fact, for many users, Instagram has overtaken Facebook as their primary platform for creating photo-based profiles and checking what their friends are up to.
Driving Theory Test 4 in 1 Kit
It seems that many individuals were diligently preparing for their driving tests last year, and for most, the Driving Theory Test 4 in 1 Kit emerged as the go-to resource.
Despite being a paid platform, it provides comprehensive preparation with revision questions, hazard perception training, interactive games and quizzes, mock tests, and more. Additionally, users are guaranteed a refund if they fail their test, making it unsurprising why users like it so much.
Threads
Threads experienced remarkable success with 100m users flocking to it within five days of its launch, making it one of the most downloaded apps of 2023. However, its user base subsequently plummeted by 80%, resulting in Threads also being listed among the most deleted apps of 2023. It appears that Threads’ dominance was fleeting and unlikely to endure.