The most downloaded free apps of 2024
While legacy apps like Amazon and TikTok face a decline, newer platforms like Temu, Threads, and ChatGPT are reshaping the digital landscape.
Fast-rising Chinese low-price e-commerce platform Temu doesn't seem to be slowing down in its ambition to dominate the app ecosystem. For the second year in a row, it was the most downloaded free app in the United States for 2024, according to Apple’s year-end rankings.
It is definitely keeping the big players like Amazon on their toes, and with recent expansions into key African markets like South Africa and Nigeria, Temu is proving itself as a dominant force in global e-commerce.
Temu’s growth is especially impressive given the regulatory challenges faced by other Chinese-owned apps. Despite TikTok grappling with a potential U.S. ban, Temu not only maintained its popularity but also expanded its user base.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Known for its ultra-low prices and expansive product selection, the app’s dominance comes at a time when industry leader Amazon is struggling to keep pace with the surge of Chinese competitors like Temu and Shein, known for their ultra-low-priced imported goods.
To adjust to this market shift, Amazon launched a low-cost storefront in November 2023, featuring electronics, apparel, and other products priced under $20. However, this strategy hasn’t reversed Amazon’s declining app presence, as its app failed to crack Apple’s top 10 downloads for 2024.
Which other apps were the most downloaded in 2024?
While Temu led the charge, Meta’s text-based platform Threads has also made significant strides, climbing to the second spot and solidifying its position as a strong competitor to Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). Launched in 2023, Threads quickly became the fastest-downloaded app ever, attracting millions of users seeking a more secure and moderated social media experience.
Meanwhile, TikTok slipped to third place, reflecting the uncertain future it faces in the U.S. market amidst regulatory scrutiny.
Another standout in Apple’s 2024 rankings is OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which soared to fourth place after missing last year’s top 10. Since its May 2023 launch on iPhone, ChatGPT has rapidly gained popularity, thanks in part to its integrated search features that compete directly with Google’s search engine. This innovation challenges Google’s dominance in web searches, raising questions about the future of its ad-driven business model.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
The rest of the top 10 showcased a mix of established giants and emerging players. Meta maintained a strong presence with Instagram and WhatsApp taking sixth and seventh places, respectively. Bytedance's CapCut, a video editing app, alongside YouTube and Google Maps, rounded up the top 10 list, reflecting the growing demand for content creation and everyday utility apps.
Apple’s rankings reveal a broader shift in consumer preferences. While legacy apps like Amazon and TikTok face a decline, newer platforms like Temu, Threads, and ChatGPT are not only disrupting their respective categories but reshaping the digital landscape as a whole.
As the app ecosystem evolves, one thing is clear—no throne is secure, and the fight for dominance is fiercer than ever.
