AppMagic: Non-gaming apps have beaten mobile games in IAP revenue since 2016
Mobile games last led in-app purchase (IAP) revenue in 2016, having since been outperformed by non-gaming platforms such as TikTok and AI chatbots. Read more
Since 2016, non-gaming applications have surpassed mobile games in in-app purchase (IAP) revenue, according to a recent AppMagic report commemorating its 10th anniversary. Mobile games initially dominated this revenue stream until their decline. Leading non-gaming platforms for IAP revenue include TikTok and AI chatbots.
Notable mobile games, such as Honor of Kings and Free Fire, have led mobile gaming charts from 2016 to 2026. Honor of Kings, launched in 2017, generated $830 million in IAP revenue in its debut year and surpassed $1.1 billion in 2026. The game has consistently topped IAP revenue lists since its inception, ranking first in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2026.
Free Fire, another prominent non-gaming app, debuted in 2019 with 272 million downloads, and has since accumulated 225 million more installations in 2021, 269 million in 2024, and 221 million in 2026. Despite no revenue at launch, Free Fire has earned $3.3 billion in IAP revenue.
The report also highlights diverse contrasts within the app market. For instance, Among Us achieved 930 million downloads but only generated $52 million in IAP revenue, while Umamusume earned $1.6 billion from just 19 million downloads. Only a select few top-grossing games continue to experience growth in revenue. Notable games with recent revenue increases include Micro Fun's Gossip Harbor: Merge & Story, which saw a 95% year-on-year increase from January to October of the current year, Century Games' Kingshot (126%), and Honor of Kings (5%).
Written by urgent.news from GamesIndustry's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
