Industry Titans: Which Apps and Why Have Gained Fame on App Store and Google Play in 2023

App Store Optimization
Jan 12, 2024

There is a good tradition for the beginning of every calendar year – to analyze the wins and fails of the previous one in order to achieve a new peak. The RadASO team became curious about the top-rated apps on the App Store and Google Play through 2023. We’ve analyzed them month-by-month, traced their position shifts, and collected some new names among the leaders. Who they are? Keep reading to find out.

Are you still struggling to leave competitors behind and get your app to the TOP? Fill in the form on the RadASO webpage and get notable positive results in the short-run.

Best mobile applications of 2023 according to App Store and Google Play

By the end of 2023, App Store and Google Play have selected the winners in their app of the year nomination.

Regarding the App Store Awards 2023, they’ve pronounced AllTrails as the best app of the year for iPhone. This app helps users find and discover walking, running, and biking trails.

In the words of an Apple representative, this app was declared the best because it “helps the world to find a way to the outward.”  

Among the finalists of the App Store Awards for iPhone apps, one can also find Duolingo and Flighty.

  • Duolingo is a language learning app that uses gamification to encourage users to study more. It offers a variety of language courses with an emphasis on fun, interactive learning.
  • Flighty is an app for real-time flight tracking. It provides explicit details on flight status, time change alerts, and other helpful info for travelers.

These apps were pointed out for being innovative, useful, and capable of improving user’s day-to-day life.

According to Google Play Awards, the best overall (among all categories in total) app is Imprint: Learn Visually.  It offers short lessons on psychology, history, health, tech, and other fields.

The title of the best app by the Google Play user's choice was rewarded to ChatGPT by OpenAI. This recognizance clearly shows fast-paced IA integration into our everyday lives.

Attribute
Value
Format
PNG
Color space
Display P3 (wide-gamut color), sRGB (color), or Gray Gamma 2.2 (grayscale).
See Color Management.
Layers
Flattened with no transparency
Resolution
Shape
Square with no rounded corners
Attribute
Value
Format
PNG
Color space
Display P3 (wide-gamut color), sRGB (color), or Gray Gamma 2.2 (grayscale).
See Color Management.
Layers
Flattened with no transparency
Resolution
Shape
Square with no rounded corners
Word
Frequency in service
Qimai(China)*
AppTweak
Mobileaction
Appfollow
课程 (course)
5387 (high)
56 (mid)
5 (low)
34 (mid)
外语 (foreign language)
5699 (high)
35 (mid)
5 (low)
34(mid)
播放 (play)
5496 (high)
35 (mid)
5 (low)
35 (mid)
*Search index in China provided by Qimai and based on multidimensional calculations such as search results, downloads and relatable keywords.
App Store
Google Play
1. Icon impact on user choice
Important, but not more than a video with screenshots, as they take up most of the screen
Icon is displayed with several other icons in search results, and therefore it has the greatest impact on the user's choice
2. Icon localization
1 icon for all locales
Can be localized for each country
3. Screenshots quantity, orientation
From 1 to 10, any orientation
From 2 to 8, any orientation
4. Screenshots the most important are the ones that are visible before you start scrolling
  • Vertical screenshots: 3 are visible
  • Horizontal screenshots: only the first one is visible
  • Vertical screenshots: 4 are visible
  • Horizontal screenshots: only the first one is visible
5. Screenshots size
Large — the content is legible
Much smaller — the captions are quite illegible
6. Video quantity
Up to 3
One video that must be uploaded to YouTube
7. Video orientation
Any orientation
Horizontal orientation prioritized
8. Video autoplay
Plays automatically for 30 seconds without sound
You need to click on it to play
9. Application cover
Displayed on the application and developer pages
There is no cover
10. Graphics update
After release only
Whenever

TOP-10 free global overall apps in 2023

In 2023, both stores had their top positions mostly occupied by social networks, communication platforms, and content editing tools.

Those apps’ popularity in both stores is conditioned by their ability to fulfill the user’s everyday needs:

    1. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat – for entertainment and social interactions;
    2. WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger – for communication;
    3. CapCut – for video editing.

The first place, by a long way, belongs to TikTok. It has a leading position thanks to being widely used for short video creation and consumption. It’s no longer an entertainment-only app but also a platform with elaborate opportunities for business growth, advertisement, and personal brand development.

App Store, unlike Google Play, features navigation (Google Maps), shopping (Temu), e-mail (Gmail), and video viewing (YouTube) apps in its TOP-10.

In addition to all the above apps, Google Play TOP-10 also features Spotify – a music and podcast streaming platform.

Device or context
Icon size
iPhone
60x60 pt (180x180 px @3x)
60x60 pt (120x120 px @2x)
iPad Pro
83.5x83.5 pt (167x167 px @2x)
iPad, iPad mini
76x76 pt (152x152 px @2x)
App Store
1024x1024 pt (1024x1024 px @1x)
Source language
Target language
How much longer (+) or shorter (–) the text in the target language is
English
French
21.18%
English
Spanish
19.52%
English
Italian
17.91%
English
Deutsch
16.67%
English
Dutch
13.80%
English
Portuguese (Portugal)
14.29%
English
Portuguese (Brazil)
12.96%
English
Polish
9.33%
English
Russian
9.11%
English
Czech
3.70%
English
Arab
–6.25%
English
Japanese
–39.68%
English
Korean
–44.04%
English
Chinese (Simplified)
–61.97%
English
Chinese (Traditional)
–63.80%
*Search Ads Popularity (SAP)shows the popularity of the search term from 5 to 99.

TOP-10 position analysis of the overall apps at App Store for 2023

The world-famous app TikTok remained an absolute leader for most of the year.  The only exception was July when it was beaten by the hotshot new social media app Threads freshly added to the sore (see more details below).

CapCut video editor occupied the second position for the year's first half, but then its position dropped.

Social media. Instagram app’s position was quite unsteady but has never dropped below 7th, unlike Facebook. It was knocked out of the TOP-10 in April and hasn’t returned so far.

Messengers. WhatsApp showed a much more consistent position compared to Telegram.

The shopping app Temu appeared in the TOP-10 in April. Since August, it has kept a sustainable second position.

Device
Spotlight icon size
Settings icon size
Notification icon size
iPhone
40x40 pt (120x120 px @3x)
29x29 pt (87x87 px @3x)
38x38 pt (114x114 px @3x)
40x40 pt (80x80 px @2x)
29x29 pt (58x58 px @2x)
38x38 pt (76x76 px @2x)
iPad Pro, iPad, iPad mini
40x40 pt (80x80 px @2x)
29x29 pt (58x58 px @2x)
38x38 pt (76x76 px @2x)
Search term
Translation
SAP* English (U.S.)
SAP* English (U.K.)
truck games
games with trucks
62
39
lorry games
games with trucks
32
jail games
prison games
29
8
prison games
prison games
32
24
*Search Ads Popularity (SAP)shows the popularity of the search term from 5 to 99.
App Store
Google Play
What can be tested?
  • Short description
  • Long description
  • Icon
  • Feature graphics
  • Screenshots
  • Videos
  • Screenshots
  • Videos
  • Icon (has to be uploaded to the build*)
Number of simultaneously running tests
5 tests (each test is valid within a single country.

You can choose a default country test (details below): then it will run in all countries where there are no localized graphical or textual materials.
1 test (the test can be immediately extended to all countries where the application is available or opt for specific countries as needed)
The number of test variants that can be tested with the current version in the store
Compared with a maximum of 3 new variants
Can a test be launched while another item is under review?
Yes
No
Mandatory formats for screenshots uploaded to the store
6.5
  • 6.5
  • 5.5
  • 12.9 (if there is an iPad version)
*Build – is a new version of the application. Updating the icon is only possible when updating the application version in the store. In other words, the term "build" refers to a specific version or variant of the application that is ready to be downloaded and installed on the users' devices. It contains all the necessary files and data for users to install and use the application.
More about optimizing graphic elements in the App Store and Google Play can be found in the article 'Graphics in Mobile App Promotion in the App Store and Google Play (ASO) – How to Optimize Graphic Elements.'

TOP-10 position analysis of the overall apps at Google Play for 2023

Google Play’s unchanged leaders through 2023 were social media and entertainment apps: Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. These apps remained in the first three positions for the whole year. CapCut, WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, Telegram, and Snapchat were also consistently in the TOP-10.

Device size or platform
Screenshot size
Requirement
Screenshot source
6.5 inch (iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR)
1284 x 2778 pixels (portrait)2778 x 1284 pixels (landscape)1242 x 2688 pixels (portrait)2688 x 1242 pixels (landscape)
Required if app runs on iPhone
Upload 6.5-inch screenshots
5.8 inch (iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone XS, iPhone X)
1170 x 2532 pixels (portrait)2532 x 1170 pixels (landscape)1125 x 2436 pixels (portrait)2436 x 1125 pixels (landscape)1080 x 2340 (portrait)2340 x 1080 (landscape)
Required if app runs on iPhone and 6.5 inch screenshots are not provided
Default: scaled 6.5-inch screenshotsAlternative: upload 5.8-inch screenshots
5.5 inch (iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus)
1242 x 2208 pixels (portrait)2208 x 1242 pixels (landscape)
Required if app runs on iPhone
Upload 5.5-inch screenshots
5.5 inch (iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus)
2048 x 2732 pixels (portrait)2732 x 2048 pixels (landscape)
Required if app runs on iPad
Upload 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation) screenshots
5.5 inch (iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus)
2048 x 2732 pixels (portrait)2732 x 2048 pixels (landscape)
Required if app runs on iPad
Upload 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation) screenshots
Price
Traffic Source (Self Reporting Networks)
Facebook
Google
X (Twitter)
Apple Search Ads
Cohort reports
Impression tracking
Audience segmentation
At extra charge
Custom Dashboards
Custom Reports
At extra charge
Advertisement Cost
DAU/MAU (Stickiness)
Raw Data Export
At extra charge
At extra charge
At extra charge
API Reporting
Search term
Translation
SAP* French
SAP* French (Canada)
soldes
sale
25
5
aubainerie
sale
14
*Search Ads Popularity (SAP)shows the popularity of the search term from 5 to 99.

New 2023 apps that have made it to the TOP-50 of the worldwide overall apps at the App Store

Among the Worldwide Overall apps at the App Store, a few new ones have appeared in the TOP-50 this year. Let’s take a closer look at them below.

  • Threads is an app for text communication by Instagram, created as a chat for their community. Allows users to communicate directly with their favorite content creators and like-minded people, and develop their own audience to exchange thoughts and creative ideas.
  • ChatGPT is an app by OpenAI that offers its users cutting-edge AI technology achievements directly on their smartphones. With ChatGPT, one can get instant answers, personalized pieces of advice, creative inspiration, professional consultations, and learning opportunities.
Device
Icon size
iPhone
180px × 180px (60pt × 60pt @3x)
120px × 120px (60pt × 60pt @2x)
iPad Pro
167px × 167px (83.5pt × 83.5pt @2x)
iPad, iPad mini
152px × 152px (76pt × 76pt @2x)
App Store
1024px × 1024px (1024pt × 1024pt @1x)
Icon format
PNG
Color models
sRGB or P3 (see "Color Management")
Layouts
Aligned without transparency
Sizes
Shape
Square without rounded corners
All the current requirements for icons are specified in the specification.

New 2023 apps in the TOP-50 of worldwide overall apps on Google Play

Similarly to App Store, Threads was named one of the main new apps in 2023.

It is also joined by the shopping app Temu, which offers the widest variety of goods for all tastes and needs. This app brings together shops and goods in the fields of fashion, home decor, handicraft, make-up, clothing, and footwear:

Icon format
32-bit PNG (with alpha channel)
Color models
512 х 512 pixels
Layouts
1024 КБ
Sizes
square, without rounding and shadows (Google automatically rounds the corners and adds shadows)
All the current requirements are specified in the specification.

What was the effect of the full-scale invasion on the Ukrainian mobile app rating

The full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine had an impact on every sphere of life, with no exception for the mobile app market. The RadASO team has noted changes in favorites at both stores. Let’s take a closer look.

TOP-10 Overall App Comparison of the App Store and Google Play for 2023

These apps are in high positions in the TOP-10 of both stores:

  • social media – Instagram
  • entertainment content – TikTok
  • messengers – Telegram, Viber
  • Ukraine’s most popular mail service – Nova Poshta.

Their popularity is conditioned by the importance of social interaction and communication, along with covering Ukrainians’ logistics needs.

Unlike Google Play, at the App Store, apps like Google, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and Diya have also become very popular at the App Store.

On the Google Play TOP-10 list in 2023, there are shopping apps Prom.ua and AliExpress, WhatsApp messenger, online banking app Privat24, and air alert app Povitryana Tryvoga.

Month-by-month overall app comparison in Ukraine for 2023 (App Store)

In Ukraine, TikTok, Telegram, Google, and Google Maps have remained highly stable in ranking and kept their positions in TOP-10 through the whole of 2023.

In January 2023, Svitlo app by ZAV landed in the first position. That was the time of mass power cutoffs due to energy deficiency in Ukraine. People were looking for a handy power monitoring tool, which was why the app was so popular.

In July, at the peak of vacation season, many Ukrainians planned their domestic trips as overboard traveling was complicated due to war-induced circumstances. That caused popularity boos for the Ukrzaliznycya app, designed to help with train trip planning within Ukraine’s borders and allows one to quickly obtain info on schedules and tickets.

In September, we noticed increased demand for Gmail, Google Meet, and Zoom apps caused by the start of the school year. Those apps are used for online lessons, communication between students and teachers, and the coordination of group assignments and homework. Thanks to their flexibility and accessibility, those apps became integral to Ukrainian education during the war.

October sales and discounts provoked Ukrainians’ interest in shopping apps like Temu and AliEхpress.

In December, prom.ua have entered the TOP-10. The most likely reason is that Ukrainians have started buying Christmas and New Year gifts for their loved ones.

Since November, the ChatGPT app has remained in the first position. That is not surprising, considering its popularity and wide AI employment worldwide.

TOP apps of 2023 in Ukraine on Google Play

TikTok and Telegram remain undisputed leaders. That points out high user interest in social media and messengers. The key factors of their popularity are their multipurposeness and functionality.

Nova Poshta, prom.ua, and AliЕxpress show growth in specific periods, which can correlate with seasonal purchase and delivery peaks. For instance, it can be Black Friday or the Holiday season.

Since August, the tabletki.ua app has been growing in popularity. It reached TOP-3 in November when the incidence usually peaks. In the same month, the positions of the Helsi app (a service for doctor appointments) also improved.

The war has had a significant impact on app ratings in Ukraine. Occasionally, we can see apps like Svitlo or Povitryana Tryvoga. But, despite temporary difficulties, Ukrainians don’t stop communicating, sharing helpful content, making purchases, and enjoying their lives.

New overall apps in the TOP-50 apps of the year 2023 list in Ukraine

In the Ukrainian App Store, similar to the Worldwide app list, among this year’s newcomers in the TOP-50, one can find Threads and ChatGPT.  Let’s take a look at the new apps of the year on Google Play, which succeeded in achieving high positions:  

Latest news is an aggregator app for the hottest news:

PhotoRoom AI Photo Editor is a universal app for editing, designing, and optimization of visual content that also helps to manage a business from a smartphone. It’s a perfect tool for small businesses and content creators looking for a quick and easy way to create professional visual content:

Firstly, in the worldwide TOP-10, one can note apps for entertainment and social interaction. In particular, those are apps for communication and video editing. Against the background of this trend, AI impact truly stands to be mentioned, as it has defined the line of development for 2023. Many apps have successfully integrated AI into their operation, and this tendency will likely remain relevant in the near future.

Leveraging expert mobile marketing services can help businesses capitalize on emerging trends and leverage advanced strategies to optimize app visibility, user engagement, and overall performance in the competitive mobile app landscape.

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