Android struggling to mimic iPhone's pay-to-own marketplace?

While Apple's App Store has helped developers generate over $1 billion in sales in just 24 months, Google's fledgeling Android marketplace doesn't yet enjoy the same flavor of broad e-commerce, leaving it comprised largely of freebees.

That's according to a new report from analytics firm Distimo, which found that Google'sAndroid market has the largest percentage of free applications by far — at 57% — of all the major mobile application stores on the internet, or more than double that of Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPad (28%).

"The large share of free applications in Google Android Market may be influenced by developers from only 9 countries being able to distribute paid applications in Google Android Market, and users from only 13 countries being able to download paid applications (out of the 46 countries where Google Android Market is available)," the report explains.

Additionally, Distimo pointed out that consumers need to register for a Google Checkout account in most locations in order to download paid applications in Google Android Market. By comparison, Apple ties App Store downloads to iTunes Store accounts, which already exceed 125 million worldwide.

More generally, Distimo revealed that more than 50% of applications are priced below or equal to $2.00 in all of the electronic app stores, with the exception of BlackBerry App World and Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

"Interestingly, the percentage of applications priced $0.99 ($0 - $1) is much higher in the Apple App Store for iPhone than in the Apple App Store for iPad," the firm said. "The percentage of applications priced $1.99 ($1 - $2) is similar between these two stores, while the percentage of applications priced higher than $3.00 and below or equal to $10.00 is higher in the Apple App Store for iPad than in the Apple App Store for iPhone."

Other findings from the Distimo June 2010 report include:Â

In the competitive e-reader market, both the iBooks application by Apple, Inc. and the Kindle application by Amazon.com are ranked among the 10 most popular free applications in the Apple App Store for iPad. Apple's application is ranked number one however, and Amazon's application in ranked number ten.
The average price of all paid applications and the 100 most popular paid applications in the Apple App Store for iPad ($4.65) isÂ higher than in the Apple App Store for iPhone ($4.01). However, the average price of the 100 top grossing applications is higherÂ on the Apple App Store for iPhone.Â
Twitter, Inc. published their native application in the Apple App Store and Google Android Market, becoming the monthly number 10 free application in the Apple App Store for iPhone, and the number 6 free application in Google Android Market.
Nine out of the ten most popular free applications and eight out of the ten most popular paid applications in the Apple App Store for iPhone are in the Games category.Â
Five out of the ten most popular free applications in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile are published by Microsoft Corporation.

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130 Comments

crowley

said about 13 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

That's according to a new report from analytics firm Distimo, which found that Google'sAndroid market has the largest share of free applications by far -- at 57% -- of all the major mobile application stores on the internet, or more than double that of Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPad (28%).

This is poorly worded and may be misleading. Android does not have the "largest share of free applications by far". Free Android apps makes up a greater proportion of total Android apps when compared to other app stores. I have no doubt that the absolute number of free apps for iOS makes Android look puny, even with their greater proportion.

lewchenko

said about 13 years ago

Its a well known fact that people who own Apple kit a) Pay more in every conceivable way! and b) Pay for stuff that you can get free on other platforms for free.

Just the nature of the beast that is now Apple. I own Apple kit and kinda accepted it. To be a part of the Apple club isnt for cheap people thats for sure.

The sad part about this though is the developers will be drawn to Apple's App store (quite rightly) to make money. But as Android grows, this will potentially get better.

Im kinda pro Android simply because of Apple's 'lying PR' over the recent antenna screw ups with the iPhone 4, but love Apple's computers and OSX.

Apple is slowing becoming 'DARK' though (ala Evil Empire)... arent you Steve Vadar

robin huber

said about 13 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewchenko

Im kinda pro Android simply because of Apple's 'lying PR' over the recent antenna screw ups with the iPhone 4, but love Apple's computers and OSX.

The reason the Apple way is not cheap is that they take more care and pride in what they do. They don't push cheaply made and designed me-too product out the door just to make a quick buck. When they do make mistakes, they tend to be for the right reason. By this I mean that any antenna problems that people may be having could have easily been avoided by Apple just continuing to use an internal antenna just like they did previously, and like everyone else does. Instead they chose to innovate, taking the risks that go with that. I admire and respect that.

chris_ca

said about 13 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowley

Agreed.
iTunes App store = ~200,000 total, 28% free = 56,000 free apps
Android store = ~50,000 apps total, 57% free = 28,500 free apps

ruel24

said about 13 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewchenko

Im kinda pro Android simply because of Apple's 'lying PR' over the recent antenna screw ups with the iPhone 4, but love Apple's computers and OSX.

I'm pro Android for several reasons: First, competition. Competition breeds better products. I figure Android will take the low end, though, and Apple the high end. Apple would never be in a race for the bottom.

Second, the complete freedom that Android enjoys will keep Apple at bay and not completely censoring everything "for our own good".

Quote:

Apple is slowing becoming 'DARK' though (ala Evil Empire)... arent you Steve Vadar

I don't think it's 'DARK', but when we get into an arena of censorship and control, it can go wrong. Absolute power breeds absolute corruption. I do like some of the actions Apple has taken. Do we really want the app store full of porn? However, it needs to have a reality check, and Android's complete openness will give users an alternative so that the forces that be won't get too authoritarian.

I would like to see the iPhone on Verizon, and let the strongest prevail. You know...completely level and fair market. Right now, Verizon has enough success with Android that it doesn't need Apple. This was a mistake on Apple's part to lock into AT&T for so long. Had it not, Android may not have even gotten a foothold in the market. It wasn't really doing much at all until Verizon started pushing it with their licensed branding of "Droid" and lots of marketing. Apple's move into Verizon now would give them the advantage, but if they wait, Android will just get better and more adopters of it will just not bother with iPhone.