Top 25 Globally Most Downloaded Apps of All Time

The number of applications grows dramatically daily. Making smartphones user-friendly and affordable makes them accessible to everybody. Today, getting an internet connection is easy, increasing mobile app users worldwide. In 2020, 218 billion applications were downloaded, up 6.86% from 2019. FinancesOnline predicts greater numbers from 2018 to 2022. Global app downloads are expected to reach 258 billion this year.

Why We Have Chosen These Apps?

These 25 most downloaded applications were chosen for their widespread influence and digital transformation. Popular worldwide, these apps have large user bases. Their inclusion shows their capacity to provide communication, social networking, entertainment, productivity, and other user demands. These applications have changed how people interact, share, learn, and live because of their unique features, market domination, and cultural relevance. Their extensive acceptance and excellent user reception demonstrate their significance and contribution to digital dynamics.

10 Top Downloaded and Used Apps:

1. WhatsApp—2023’s most popular app

One well-liked messaging software that offers the ability to make international calls is WhatsApp. This immensely popular program allows users to converse by text, phone, and video. Transferring media files, GPS locations, and more is a breeze with this smartphone app. With 2 billion members and 96 million downloads in February 2020, WhatsApp was a phenomenon

• Pricing: Free
• Available for iOS/Android

Features

• Instant messaging
• Video and voice calls
• Multimedia sharing
• Group conversations

2. Facebook—most-used app

Facebook is one of the best programs in the world. The most widely used program in the world is a social networking site that facilitates communication with friends and family. With a validated email address, anyone over the age of 13 may join Facebook. In 2020, 2.6 billion people throughout the world used Facebook at least once a month.

• Pricing: Free
• Available for Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and all major mobile platforms.

Features

• Online socialising
• Share photos and videos
• Groups and events
• Marketplace for sales

3. Facebook Messenger—A popular program

In terms of mobile apps, Facebook Messenger is at the top. Facebook Messenger has superseded the in-app chat functionality. Users can send and receive IMs, emoticons, photos, and videos with this program’s integration with Facebook. Over 1.3 billion people use Facebook Messenger every month.

• Pricing: Free
• Web, Android, iOS, Windows 10, macOS

Features

• SMS messaging
• Video and voice calls
• Sharing media International calls

4. Snapchat—the most popular app

Snapchat is another global favorite. It makes sharing daily moments with friends easier. Snapchat communications disappear, unlike other applications that record everything. The app features games, quizzes, news, and entertainment in addition to its unique photo and video editing tools. Q2 2020 had 238 million users of the 2011 app.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Messages disappear
• Share multimedia assets
• Explore stories
• Choose lenses and filters.

5. UC Browser—Best 2023 browser

Popular phone apps include UC Browser for mobile browsing. Mobile-targeted cross-platform web browser with a tiny app size. UC Browser was one of the top ten most downloaded mobile apps of 2010–2019. Mobile internet business UCWeb, an Alibaba Group affiliate, produced this app. This software began in April 2004 and has over 100 million monthly active users as of 2016.

• Pricing: Free to use
• Availability: Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Java ME, Symbian, Windows Phone

Features

• Web surfing for mobile
• Minimal app
• Fast downloads
• Private mode

6. Instagram—a 2023 top app

Instagram, unlike other platforms, is visual-only. It is among the most widely used mobile applications for communicating with followers via photographs and videos. In the third quarter of 2020, Instagram had more than one billion users and 500 million daily Instagram Stories users, placing it among the top ten applications.

• Pricing: Free
• Available on iOS, Android, Fire OS, Windows

Features

• Share photos and videos
• Tools for editing and filters
• Story and IGTV
• Direct messaging

7. Uber—the most popular taxi app

The world’s most popular location-based cab app is Uber. This app offers various transportation in over 10,000 cities. This software shows the driver’s path automatically. The program calculates distance and fee, and you may pay the driver in your preferred manner. Uber is one of the most popular applications, with over 5 billion rides. Uber has around 75 million passengers worldwide.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Cabs by location
• Route info
• Non-cash payments
• Ridesharing possibilities

Also Read- Top 25 Grossing Apps To Know! 

8. YouTube—a top entertainment software

YouTube is popular for sharing and viewing videos. Monthly YouTube visitors watch 6 billion hours. YouTube is a popular smartphone app because 100 hours of video are added every minute. Google purchased YouTube a year after its 2005 launch. Globally, this platform has 2.3 billion users in 2023. The second-most popular social app after Facebook.

• Price: Free Download
• Android, iOS, Web

Features

• Sharing and streaming videos
• Subscriptions, playlists
• Streaming live
• Comments, community features

9. SHAREit—most-used file-sharing program

Share images, videos, and music on SHAREit. Wireless tethering transmits files. This program transfers quicker than Bluetooth and USB. Over 35 languages, including English, Hindi, Arabic, and French, are supported. With 1.8 billion downloads, SHAREit is a popular app.

• Pricing: Free
• Windows, Android, iOS.

Features

• File transfer
• Multiplatform compatible
• Fast transfers
• Collectively sharing

10. Bitmoji: Most popular and cool app in 2023

Users may build cartoon representations of themselves with Bitmoji. Share these emoticons on social media. After designing an avatar, you may customize GIFs, emotions, and reactions. One of the most popular smartphone apps, it offers sports and holiday possibilities.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Customize cartoon avatars
• Spread socially
• Expression emojis
• Unique event options

11. Google Maps—best navigation app

Google Maps provides satellite images, aerial photography, street maps, and 360° interactive panoramic street views. This software provides real-time traffic and trip planning. One of the world’s greatest applications, this is popular. Over 5 billion people have downloaded Google Maps from the Play Store.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Mapping services
• Satellite view
• Live Traffic
• Route planning

12. Gmail—most popular email program

Google’s free Gmail is the world’s most used email software. All users get 15 GB of free storage and a tidy inbox. This software lets you connect to Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail, and other IMAP/POP email accounts. By October 2019, 1.5 billion people used Gmail.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Email service 15 GB storage
• Organized inbox
• Non-Gmail support

13. iCloud—most popular data storage software

Users can save files and documents on iCloud. Photos, applications, contacts, emails, and documents may be stored on iCloud. Most iPhone users store presentations, spreadsheets, photos, and PDFs in iCloud. Logging in with iCloud on a fresh iPhone restores all settings and applications. About 170 million of 850 million iCloud users pay for extra storage.

• Data storage is free up to 5 GB.
• Available: iOS

Features

• Storage in the cloud
• Backup pictures, applications, contacts
• Apple device sync
• Find My iPhone

14. Amazon Mobile—A popular eCommerce mobile app

Amazon Mobile includes Amazon Pay, Pantry, and Amazon Fresh for browsing and shopping. It’s a popular mobile app and the #1 eCommerce marketplace. Amazon’s mobile app is nearly identical to its website. The Amazon app had 150.6 million mobile users in September 2019.

• Free download, pay on product purchase
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• E-commerce platform
• View and buy many goods.
• Pay, Pantry, Fresh features
• Website-like characteristics

15. Twitter—the most popular social app

Twitter, one of the top ten apps, lets users send and receive tweets. You may follow like-minded persons and organizations on Twitter. Tweets can be 140 characters. Established in 2006, Twitter has 16m mobile app installs in 2021.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Send and receive tweets
• The following persons and organizations
• Stay current on interests
• Join trending topics

16. Netflix—A top OTT mobile app

Netflix is an online streaming service that lets you view your favorite movies and videos. Smartphones can download movies and TV shows offline. Netflix aims to let you watch movies and TV episodes without ads on an internet-connected device. The phone app is popular since it improves the experience. Netflix had 203.67 million paying customers worldwide in Q4 2020.

• Free download, subscription fee
• Available for Android, iOS, Windows

Features

• Streaming subscription
• Watch movies online and download videos offline.
• No ads while streaming

17. Pinterest—most-used social media smartphone app

Pinterest, an American social networking platform, lets users share ideas as pinboards. This app was developed in December 2009 and is now a top mobile app. This smartphone app makes finding cooking, home, and style inspiration easier. Pinterest had 459 million monthly active users in Q4 2020.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Picture-sharing and social media
• Create and share idea boards
• Discover home, style, and cooking ideas.
• Save and organize ideas

18. Google Pay (Tez)—Best mobile payment app

The Google Pay (Tez) mobile payment service targets Indian customers. This mobile app may deposit payments into bank accounts. Google Pay accepts UPI transactions. This is a popular Indian mobile app preloaded on many phones. Two years after its launch, Google Pay has 67 million monthly active users in India.

• Price: Free Download
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Mobile payment
• UPI-direct bank payments
• Fast and safe transactions
• Integrating loyalty and rewards

19. Telegram—2023’s most popular file-sharing program

Telegram, a cloud-based IM app, offers encrypted video calling, file sharing, and more. This app was among 2020’s top 20 downloads. One of the most popular chatting applications. Telegram was released for iOS on August 14, 2013, and Android in October 2013. In 2020, Telegram had 256 million downloads.

• Pricing: Free
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Instant messaging in the cloud
• Completely encrypted video calling
• Sharing and storing files
• Focus on user privacy

20. Google Meet—Great mobile video calling app

Companies and organizations use Google Meet, previously Hangouts Meet. A virtual gathering draws dozens of viewers, speakers, and contributors. Callers can toggle voice, video, and screen sharing. Google Meet has 100 million Google Play downloads and is a popular video calling tool.

• Pricing: Free download, limited use.
• Available: iOS, Android

Features

• Business videoconferencing
• Sharing screens, collaboration tools
• Google Workspace integration
• Available for massive virtual gatherings

21. Duolingo—2023’s top educational app

Duolingo has 300 million users and is a prominent educational software. If you like language learning, download this app. Gamified learning sessions keep users engaged, therefore the software has worldwide user engagement. This app has 100-40 language classes. These courses teach reading, writing, pronunciation, phrase creation, voice recording, image-word matching, and more. Most importantly, Forbs dubbed the company a “Next-Billion Dollar Startups 2019.”

• Free download, restricted use.
• Both iOS and Android.

Features

• Gamified language learning
• Numerous language courses
• Practice reading, writing, and pronunciation
• Customized learning paths

22. Bumble: Best 2023 social media smartphone app

We realize how bothersome and risky dating apps are for women. This is where Bumble comes in. The nicest part of this app is that ladies may initiate if they like someone. Swipe left or right to locate individuals from across the world based on your interests. Bumble can be used as a dating app and two other applications for various reasons, which is fascinating.

• Free download, restricted use.
• Both iOS and Android.

Features

• Social media and dating apps
• Women initiate.
• Find buddies with Bumble BFF
• Professional networking on Bumble Bizz

23. Google Find My Device—great mobile security app

If you or a friend lost a smartphone, you know the indescribable anguish. Although expensive, it has a lot of memories and personal information stored. Thus, a misplaced phone always compromises privacy. Google Find My Devices may follow your phone and alter account and device passwords. This software makes it simple to find your phone by playing a soundtrack and remotely deleting all data. This software lives up to its name.

• Free download, restricted use.
• Both iOS and Android.

Features

• Mobile security app
• Device location tracking
• Remotely delete data
• Change device passwords.

24. Spotify: 2023’s most popular music app

The most downloaded app More than 300 million people use Spotify every month. There are 145 million paying customers for the app. Music by your favorite musicians is played nearby via the app. Make your language choice for music. Make a playlist. You may build a personalized playlist based on your tastes and hear new music from all around the world in the “New Releases” and “Discover Weekly” sections. Many podcasts are available on Spotify. Its debut year was 2006.  March 2020 saw it surpass all other iOS apps in terms of downloads in the US. Ads and paid streaming bring in money.

• Free download, restricted use.
• Both iOS and Android.

Features

• Music streaming app
• Create playlists
• Curated playlists introduce new music.
• Creating and broadcasting podcasts

25. Zoom: Best 2023 video conferencing app

After COVID, it became a popular video conferencing program. Organizations compelled to work from home needed Zoom for meetings and communication. Over 1.83 million business clients joined in March 2020. Zoom offers more than chats, calls, and video conferencing. Includes call forwarding, transfer, recording, voicemail, blocking, hold, whisper, monitoring, barge, delegation, takeover, and more.

• Free download, restricted use.
• Both iOS and Android.

Features

• Meeting video conferencing
• Calling, video, and chat
• Collaboration tools like screen sharing
• Compatible with calendar apps

Which One Is The Best Among These 25 Apps?

WhatsApp is the leading messaging software owing to its user-friendly design, cross-platform accessibility on iOS and Android, and end-to-end encryption for safe communication. Global calling, texting, media sharing, and group chat make it a powerful communication tool. WhatsApp’s over two billion users, regular upgrades, free messages and calls, and integrated features make it the global leader in easy, cost-effective, and feature-rich communication.

Methodology

The selected applications also combine technological innovation, user-centric design, and social reactivity. These applications excel in their fields, transforming communication, social relationships, navigation, and entertainment. They are chosen for their enduring effect on worldwide culture, business, and digital navigation as well as their download figures.