Mobile apps have quietly become the infrastructure of modern life — they connect us, entertain us, help us work, shop, learn and create. In 2025 the most-downloaded apps reflect long arcs of user behaviour: messaging remains central, short-form video continues to explode, and utility apps still win daily attention. This list looks at the top 10 most-downloaded mobile apps globally, arranged from 10 down to 1, and explains what makes each one so widely used.
Below you’ll find stacked, SEO-friendly entries for each app: publisher, launch date, lifetime downloads, revenue signals, and two short paragraphs that explain why the app matters, how people use it, and what kept it climbing the charts in 2025. This is a practical guide for readers who want to understand the apps that dominate screens and shape digital habits today.
10. YouTube
Publisher: Google LLC
First published: October 20, 2010
All-time downloads (approx): 2.0+ billion
Revenue signal: $7.3+ billion (ad & subscription mix)
YouTube remains the world’s biggest video platform — a one-stop destination for music, tutorials, news, long-form shows and user-generated clips. Its ubiquity across device types and the depth of content (from indie creators to studio channels) have kept install numbers high year after year. In 2025 YouTube still wins because it combines discovery, monetization tools for creators, and a recommendation engine that keeps users watching.
Beyond leisure viewing, YouTube is a productivity and learning hub: people use it for how-tos, language learning, and industry briefings. Continued investment in Shorts, premium subscriptions and creator monetization means YouTube keeps converting downloads into steady engagement and revenue.
9. Spotify
Publisher: Spotify AB
First published: September 7, 2009
All-time downloads (approx): 2.1+ billion
Revenue signal: $1.1+ billion (subscriptions & ads)
Spotify is the dominant music and podcast streaming app globally thanks to a polished recommendation system and seamless cross-device playback. Its combination of curated playlists, personalized mixes (like Discover Weekly), and exclusive podcast deals helped it reach more than two billion installs. For many users Spotify is both background sound and a discovery engine — it’s where new music and long-form audio habits are formed.
In 2025 Spotify’s ongoing push into podcasts, live audio and creator monetization continues to expand its appeal. The freemium model still drives installs — users download to sample premium features, then often convert to paid plans for ad-free listening and offline downloads.
8. Telegram
Publisher: Telegram FZ-LLC
First published: August 14, 2013
All-time downloads (approx): 2.4+ billion
Revenue signal: $248.2+ million (donations, premium tiers, services)
Telegram’s growth is rooted in speed, security options and flexibility. Its cloud-based architecture lets users access large message histories on any device, while channels, supergroups and bots make it attractive for communities and publishers. In 2025, Telegram’s installs reflect both consumer messaging use and institutional adoption for broadcasts and niche communities.
Features like large file sharing, channel subscriptions and a growing premium tier have helped Telegram monetize beyond installs. Users value Telegram for its combination of privacy-forward defaults and powerful group / publishing tools that go beyond typical chat apps.
7. CapCut
Publisher: Bytedance
First published: May 21, 2019
All-time downloads (approx): 2.5+ billion
Revenue signal: $827.5+ million (in-app purchases, creator tools)
CapCut is a free yet powerful mobile video-editing app that rose fast alongside short-form video platforms. Its easy timeline tools, built-in effects, and music library let creators produce polished shorts without desktop software. In 2025 CapCut is one of the most-installed creative apps because it lowers the barrier to attractive video content — essential for TikTok and Reels creators.
Beyond basic editing, CapCut’s template economy, trend filters and direct export paths to social platforms keep retention high. Its developer’s close ecosystem ties to short-video platforms help convert new users into frequent creators, sustaining massive download numbers worldwide.
6. Snapchat
Publisher: Snap, Inc.
First published: July 13, 2011
All-time downloads (approx): 3.2+ billion
Revenue signal: $700.7+ million (ads, AR commerce)
Snapchat popularized ephemeral messaging and playful AR filters, and its youthful audience has kept it relevant across product cycles. The app’s daily Stories format and lens ecosystem are major drivers of engagement and installs. In 2025 Snapchat continues to be where younger cohorts experiment with visual communication and augmented reality experiences.
Snap’s investment in augmented reality, creator monetization and short video formats helps it stay competitive with other social players. Brands and advertisers also flock to Snap to reach younger demographics, converting installs into ad revenue and partnerships.
5. Messenger
Publisher: Meta Platforms, Inc.
First published: August 9, 2011
All-time downloads (approx): 5.6+ billion
Revenue signal: $32.7+ million (ads, commerce integrations)
Facebook Messenger remains one of the most-installed communication apps because it provides cross-platform chat, voice and video calling tightly integrated with the Facebook ecosystem. Its ubiquity — preinstalled on many devices or adopted quickly by social circles — explains its enormous download base. Messenger’s simple UX and broad feature set (group calls, payments, stickers) keep it central to daily conversation.
Although monetization is modest relative to installs, Messenger’s business integrations and in-chat commerce experiments are increasing its commercial value. For many users Messenger is the default way to reach friends and businesses on mobile.
4. Instagram
Publisher: Meta
First published: October 6, 2010
All-time downloads (approx): 5.9+ billion
Revenue signal: $393.8+ million (ads, shopping)
Instagram evolved from a photo app into a visual social platform blending photos, reels, shopping and influencer culture. Its app installs surged as Reels competed with short-form rivals and as creators monetized content through brand deals and in-app shopping. In 2025 Instagram remains a discovery engine for visual culture — fashion, food, travel, and creators all find audiences here.
Shopping features, creator monetization tools and the push toward short-form video ensure Instagram remains both an engagement engine and an install driver. Brands use the app for storefronts and creators use it to build businesses, maintaining its relevance across generations.
3. Facebook
Publisher: Meta Platforms, Inc.
First published: July 29, 2014 (mobile app evolution)
All-time downloads (approx): 6.8+ billion
Revenue signal: $632.2+ million (ads, marketplace)
Facebook’s mobile app remains one of the most-installed apps due to its role as a social graph — friends, family, groups and local events aggregate here. Though its primary audience has matured, global markets still rely on Facebook as a hub for community organizing, news and commerce. Its massive install footprint reflects long-term platform adoption and multi-device usage.
Facebook’s suite of features — from groups and marketplace to video and live streaming — keeps people returning. In many emerging markets the Facebook app is a primary internet portal, which helps explain its enormous lifetime download numbers.
2. TikTok
Publisher: Bytedance
First published: April 2, 2014
All-time downloads (approx): 6.9+ billion
Revenue signal: $14.2+ billion (ads, in-app purchases, creator funds)
TikTok accelerated the short-video era: addictive, algorithmic feeds and easy creation tools made it a cultural engine. Its recommendation algorithm surfaces viral trends rapidly, and the app’s editing tools, sounds and challenges create an ecosystem that encourages constant production and consumption. By 2025 TikTok’s global reach and engagement have translated into staggering install volume.
Beyond entertainment, TikTok has become a commerce and discovery platform — music hits, fashion trends and micro-influencer careers often begin on TikTok. Continuous investment in monetization, creator payouts and shopping features keeps installs high and retention strong.
1. WhatsApp Messenger
Publisher: Meta
First published: May 4, 2009
All-time downloads (approx): 7.4+ billion
Revenue signal: $5.6+ million (business services, minimal consumer monetization)
WhatsApp is the world’s most-installed messaging app thanks to its simplicity, reliability and global adoption. End-to-end encryption, voice and video calling, group chats and the ubiquity of phone-number-based identity have made WhatsApp a default for private communication across continents. Its light footprint and offline message delivery are ideal for varied network conditions, supporting its broad reach.
In 2025 WhatsApp continues to expand business features and payments in select markets, but its core value remains private, dependable messaging. The app’s network effect is powerful: people install it because friends and family use it, creating a self-reinforcing adoption loop that explains its number-one position on the most-downloaded list.
- Key takeaways: Messaging dominates installs (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram); short-form video and creator tools (TikTok, CapCut) drive new download growth; utility apps (Spotify, YouTube) combine retention with monetization; and global market dynamics — low bandwidth innovation, local relevance, and distribution partnerships — keep download volumes soaring.
Also Read: Top 10 Indian Movies of 2025 That Dominated the Year
About the Author:
Harshit Raj
