AppMakers USA, a mobile and web application development company, has released its 2026 App Development Statistics report, a comprehensive industry reference with over 45 sourced data points on app development costs, build timelines, user retention, AI adoption, and app-store enforcement. The report draws from primary sources including Sensor Tower, Apple, Google, and Stack Overflow.
Among the findings, consumer spending across iOS and Google Play reached $167 billion in 2025, up 10.6% year over year, while downloads climbed to roughly 150 billion, a record. However, this growth sits next to a retention problem most teams underestimate: Day-1 retention averages around 24%, dropping to 5-6% by day 30, meaning roughly 94% of new users churn within a month. The report emphasizes that addressing retention early is critical for app success.
The report also tracks a widening gap between AI adoption and AI trust among developers. According to Stack Overflow's 2025 survey, 84% of developers are using or planning to use AI tools, up from 76% a year earlier, yet only about a third trust the accuracy of the output. This disparity highlights a significant challenge as AI becomes more integrated into development workflows.
App store enforcement remains stringent, with Apple reviewing 7.7 million App Store submissions in 2024 and rejecting more than 1.9 million, while Google blocked 2.36 million policy-violating apps from Google Play. Developers must navigate these ever-tightening guidelines to ensure their apps are approved.
AppMakers USA has shipped more than 400 apps across iOS, Android, and web, including Number Hive, an education app used by more than 700,000 students, and ShiftPass, a shift marketplace live on both major app stores. The company offers mobile app development, custom software development, AI integration, and app rescue services, and is based in Los Angeles with additional offices in Santa Monica, New York, and San Diego. More information is available at appmakersla.com.
CEO Daniel Haiem noted, "Most of the advice about building an app online is opinion without a source attached. We wanted a page where every figure has a citation." The report aims to provide developers and businesses with reliable data to make informed decisions in a competitive landscape.
