Introduction
Mobile apps have become central to how businesses connect, engage, and grow. Each passing year brings something new to the industry, setting the stage for fresh opportunities as well as challenges. In recent years, we’ve seen trends like voice-enabled apps, dark mode designs, and AI-driven personalizations. These developments reshaped user expectations, pushing businesses to adapt quickly or risk falling behind if they don’t keep up.
Now, as 2024 is about to end, the global mobile app segment is changing again. Further advancement in technologies like 5G, AR/VR, and cross-platform frameworks is set to redefine app experiences while heightened user focus on privacy and security sets new benchmarks. Let’s look into each of these trends (and more) in detail.
The State of Global App Market
The global app market generated over US$485 billion in revenue in 2023 and is poised to surpass US$535 billion in 2024, as seen in the image below.
Within this market, the mobile app development segment accounted for US$252.89 billion in 2023, more than 50% of the total app market, pointing to the bright future of mobile app development and the increasing utility of mobile devices in 2025 and beyond.
Gaming apps currently dominate the mobile app market, not just in volume but in terms of revenue generation as well. This category has seen exponential growth, driven by advancements in graphics technology, real-time multiplayer capabilities, and new monetization models like in-app purchases, ad revenue, and subscription models.
Following close behind, social networking and entertainment apps have also won a significant market share. Social networking apps continue to expand beyond traditional texting, with features like live streaming, AR and VR in mobile apps, and integrated shopping experiences.
Meanwhile, entertainment apps such as streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime Video, etc.) and digital content hubs are tapping into the demand for on-the-go entertainment, especially with 5G adoption. Here on, we’ll pin our focus on the key mobile app trends.
Mobile App Trends to Watch Out in 2025 and Beyond
Trend #1: Focus on Revenue-Centric App Features
With increasing mobile and internet penetration, many businesses look forward to monetizing their mobile app solutions. This intrigue is further fueled by the increasing demand for premium access, exclusive content, and ad-free experiences that has led to a surge in in-app purchases and subscription models.
For instance, in-app purchases alone generated US$171.8 billion in 2023, while the number is expected to reach US$213 billion by the end of 2024.
Trend #2: Super Apps, Mini Apps, & All-in-One Solutions
Another mobile app trend is the increasing utility of Super Apps. The core feature driving their popularity is the concept of mini apps—lightweight, integrated applications that operate within the main app. These sub-apps allow users to perform specific actions, such as making payments, accessing eCommerce stores, etc., without downloading them individually.
Super apps originally took off in East Asia, especially in China and South Korea. Heard of WeChat? It is a classic example of a super app with the following features: instant messaging, social media, and payments. In 2018, it became the leading standalone mobile app globally, surpassing 1 billion monthly active users. In the coming future, this concept is set to expand beyond consumer use, influencing business tools like workflows, collaboration hubs, and messaging platforms. In fact, by 2027, Gartner Inc. forecasts that over half the global population will rely on these apps daily.
Trend #3: 5G and Edge Computing for Real-Time Services
The 5G technology is expected to cover nearly 45% of the global population by 2025, with 5G subscriptions having crossed 1.48 billion. Users now expect ultra-fast load times and low latency, especially in apps relying on live data, such as navigation, streaming, and real-time gaming.
Similarly, edge computing, which processes data closer to the user, reduces lag and further enhances app performance. Many mobile app companies are integrating 5G and edge computing capabilities in their apps to deliver real-time responsiveness and instant data updates. This allows them to meet user expectations for immediacy, especially in applications where even a brief delay could impact user satisfaction, such as navigation, video calls, or eCommerce checkouts.
Trend #4: Mobile App Security & Privacy as Differentiators
Security works as a differentiator; users can be seen deleting apps that appear to be unreliable, largely due to the rise in mobile app fraud. This includes account takeovers, payment fraud, and the distribution of fake apps or malware. The finance industry has been particularly affected, with fraudsters cloning entire apps, legitimacy certificates, and even banking web platforms. These sophisticated attacks have led to financial losses amounting to an estimated $2.65 billion, highlighting the urgent need for robust security measures in mobile app development.
Trend #5: AR and VR in Customer Interaction
Technologies like AR and VR have redefined how businesses interact with their customers. They have enabled immersive experiences, be it through virtual try-ons or AR-based navigation in travel apps. Today, over 1025 million mobile phone users are known to use mobile augmented reality in some form or another, making AR/VR-based customer interactions a growing mobile app trend in 2025.
If you’re also aiming to build a modern online presence or improve a traditional one, adopting AR and VR presents a powerful opportunity to capture new users and build more connections. For instance, retailers can offer virtual product previews, real estate companies can showcase properties through virtual tours, and gaming apps can provide lifelike environments.
Trend #6: Increased Use of Low-Code/No-Code (LC/NC) Mobile App Development Platforms
LC/NC platforms have enabled people to create apps with minimal coding knowledge through drag-and-drop interfaces, reusable components, and pre-built templates. Driven by the growing demand for faster app deployment, many business owners have gone for this approach, positioning the global market of LC/NC mobile app development technologies to grow from US$ 11.86 billion in 2024 to US$ 64.95 billion by 2032.
That said, this approach is restricted in a few areas. Primarily, such solutions offer a limited scope of customizations as they rely on pre-built templates for standard features and functionalities. You will need to code for personalized and out-of-the-box needs. That’s one reason why modern businesses choose to invest in cross-platform mobile app development services instead of relying on readymade LC/NC solutions. Many also hire dedicated mobile app developers from the very beginning. With these approaches, you can get a custom mobile solution built from scratch.
The Future of Mobile Apps
The trends in the mobile app industry keep shifting as user needs and global dynamics evolve. However, the driving force behind every innovation remains unchanged—a secure, seamless, and engaging mobile experience that meets users where they are. For businesses, this translates to success if they can understand these shifts from a user’s point of view and align them with their business goals while adopting the latest technology.
As we approach 2025, the focus should be on what users value the most. Whether it’s through cross-platform frameworks (such as Flutter and React Native), integrating AR and VR, or improving app security and data privacy, the mobile app experience must be exceptional.
Author Bio
Amelia Swank is a seasoned Digital Marketing Specialist at SunTec India with over eight years of experience in IT industry. She excels in SEO, PPC, and content marketing, and is proficient in Google Analytics, SEMrush, and HubSpot. She is a subject matter expert in Application Development, Software Engineering, AI/ML, QA Testing, Cloud Management, DevOps, and Staff Augmentation (Hire mobile app developers, hire web developers, and hire full stack developers etc.). Amelia stays updated with industry trends and loves experimenting with new marketing techniques.