Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

News

Most mobile app developers are below the 'app poverty line', says new report

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

App research specialist VisionMobile has published the latest version of its Developer Economics report, providing insights into mobile application development worldwide.

It estimates that 2.3 million people were mobile app developers in 2013, with 760,000 (32.9%) of them living in Asia and 680,000 (29.7%) in Europe.

Overall, Android was the most popular platform - 71% of mobile developers were developing for Android - but Apple’s iOS generated the most loyalty, with 59% of developers prioritising iOS as their first choice. 37% developed for Android as their main platform, while 32% chose iOS and 14% worked on HTML5.

37% used HTML5 as a platform to develop mobile websites or web apps, with an additional 15% using HTML5 ‘beyond the browser’ via hybrid apps or HTML5-to-native tools.

Tablets were popular with app developers but not as a primary device; just 12% of app developers targeted tablets above other devices.

When it comes to money, 60% of developers were described as being below the ‘app poverty line’ of earning less than $500 (£305) per app per month. More than half (56%) of the $68 billion earned by mobile app developers in 2013 came from being commissioned or contracted to create apps. It’s currently the most popular revenue model, with 26% of app developers developing apps on commission.

The survey contacted over 7,000 app developers in 127 countries between October and November 2013.

[Developer Economics report]

Image

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (1)
Ashli

Mobile app developers, particular individual mobile app developers have to charge for their apps to help them make at least a little bit of income.

The average developer makes less than $500/month and this is because they continue to release free apps even though the numbers don't supper this.

There are better ways for mobile app developers to make money and there's an article that goes into this topic deeper How to Go Broke Selling Mobile Apps - http://joppar.com/should-my-app-be-free-or-paid/

Everyone that's involved with making a mobile app should read that article.

3
0
You don't have permission to post comments.

Opinion Articles

ExclusiveDiscover the secrets of mobile innovation at The Mobile Academy in London

Mark Bridge writes:

Developing a successful mobile product or service isn’t just a question of having a great idea. There are all sorts of challenges, from the technical aspects of application development to the wider issues of branding and funding.

That’s where The Mobile Academy steps in. It’s a London-based mobile masterclass designed to give you a helping hand with innovation, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, a developer or a designer.

ExclusiveRIM boss ignores the questions when asked about BlackBerry difficulties and competitors

Mark Bridge writes:

Live TV and radio interviews. They can be worrying things, even when you’re not expecting to be challenged too much. I know this from experience. So when your company is launching a much-delayed operating system, you’d expect a few difficult questions… and you’d be ready with a response.

The official response of RIM is apparently to ignore the questions.

ExclusiveMobile phones transform lives in Africa

Jennifer Lazuta of voanews.com writes:

Rene Mendy, a street vendor in Dakar, has never had enough money to open a bank account. But now, thanks to an emerging mobile phone banking service, he has access to many financial services.

ExclusiveLast week at The Fonecast: 28th January 2013

Mark Bridge writes:

I didn’t study economics at college, which is probably one of the reasons I have a very simple perspective on quarterly results. As far as I’m concerned, they fall into one of three categories: much as expected, better than expected or worse than expected. Anyway, it’s the time of year when some of the biggest names in the mobile telecoms industry publish their financial results – so here we go.

ExclusiveBringing personalised radio to your smartphone

Mark Bridge writes:

Targeted advertising on mobile devices is something we’re all getting increasingly familiar with. Visit a web site and there’s a good chance you’ll see an advertisement that’s aimed directly at you, perhaps using information about the sites you’ve previously visited, the type of smartphone you’re using or even your location.

Yet listen to the radio or stream music on your smartphone and that same level of personalisation hasn’t been aavailable. That’s all changing now, with help from a new service called UTuneMe.

RSS
First2324252628303132Last

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

ExclusiveLooking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

ExclusiveA month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«June 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
25262728293031
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293012345

Archive