WOW apps: What’s hot and not in App Store and Google Play

App Store and Google Play on the rise

The influence of mobile apps knows no bounds. They're not just for your smartphone – they're on tablets, smartwatches, smart TVs, and even in your car. In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile applications, discovering the trendiest apps is like uncovering hidden treasures in a digital domain.

The App Store and Google Play, the two juggernauts of the app universe, house a plethora of WOW-worthy applications that have taken the world by storm.

Join us as we uncover the most intriguing and favoured apps in the App Store and Google Play, where each is a unique gem in the extensive terrain of digital invention. We'll cover the gist behind the rankings that determine what's hot, what's not, and what's trending in 2024. Brace yourself and get ready to be amazed as we journey through the trendiest apps that will make you say WOW!

Amazing facts about Apps

Ready for an app overload? Before we discuss the apps themselves, let’s wrap our heads around these WOW facts about mobile apps:

• Did you know that there are over 5 million apps combined on the App Store and Google Play? In 2018, the combined number of apps on these two platforms was about 2.1 million.
• Android users had 3.55 million apps to choose from during Q3 of 2022 and 2.43 million by the end of 2023, making Google Play the global leader as the biggest app store. As the second-largest app store, the Apple App Store had roughly 1.6 million available apps for iOS users during Q3 of 2022.
• The combined global Google Play and App Store downloads in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to an estimated 35 billion - a staggering number compared to the 15.9 billion in the first quarter of 2015.
• In 2022, users downloaded almost 143 billion apps between Google Play and the Apple App Store combined. Over 257 billion app downloads were recorded across all app stores in 2023!
• Gaming is the most popular category, trending with nearly 13% downloads, followed by business at 10.35% and education at 9.79%. Developer tools are the least downloaded at 0.1%.
• The annual global spending on top subscription apps grew from US$ 9.7 billion in 2019 to a staggering US$ 18.3 billion in 2021; the Apple App Store contributes nearly 74%.

Unwrapping the WOW factor of App ratings

Ranking high in app stores isn't just about popularity – it's a science and digital dance where the best apps jostle for the spotlight. Both Apple App Store and Google Play use complex algorithms and consider several crucial factors significantly influencing an app's rank.

Before we jump into the trendiest apps, let's discuss how the Apple App Store on iPhones and Google Play Store on Android Phones determine the cream of the crop.

Here are the WOW factors that determine if an app deserves its spot at the top:

Apple App Store ranking factors:

• App Name: The name speaks volumes, influencing search algorithms significantly.
• App Subtitle: A succinct subtitle can greatly impact an app's visibility.
• Rating and Reviews: User feedback is crucial in determining an app's rank.

Google Play ranking factors:

• App Title: A catchy title can be the key to higher rankings.
• In-App Purchases: Monetisation strategies and in-app purchases contribute to the app's success.
• Downloads and Engagement: The number of downloads and user engagement are pivotal factors.

The top trendiest free Android and iOS Apps

Let's shine a spotlight on the top free apps trending now in both the App Store and Google Play. These apps have notably captured users' attention worldwide, offering a unique blend of innovation, functionality, and user engagement. Our journey will be guided by insights from a deep dive into Google Play and the App Store free app rankings in January 2024, as presented by SimilarWeb.

Five trending free WOW Apps

1. Temu: Released 2022 - Holding the top spot in the App Store since the end of 2023 and quickly climbing the ranks to number one in the Play Store, Temu offers a shopping experience like no other. Delve into the world of luxury clothes and discover curated items for the discerning shopper. Shop like a billionaire with Temu!
2. ChatGPT: Released 2023 - As number 2 in the App Store and rising in usage rank of the top 100 in the Play Store, ChatGPT is making waves as a conversation powerhouse. With 19 million total downloads in November 2023, this OpenAI app finally made the list as one of the 10 most downloaded apps in the world. Experience conversational brilliance and discover how this AI-driven chat app creates platform buzz.
3. Vinted - Fashion Exchange: Released 2013 - Gaining popularity in Google Play and rising to the 4th position on the App Store, Vinted revolutionises online fashion trading. With over 1 million estimated downloads worldwide at the end of 2023, this 11-year-old app has a 4.8-star rating review from 8.4 million users. Explore how this app connects fashion enthusiasts while promoting sustainability by selling vintage clothes.
4. Threads: Released July 2023 - Securing the 3rd global rank and 5th on the App Store, Threads is Instagram's companion app. This young app’s estimated downloads worldwide reached a staggering 16 million! Uncover the seamless integration that enhances the Instagram experience.
5. Shein - Shopping Online: Released 2014 - This shop-till-you-drop trendy app caters to men and women of all shapes and sizes. Find fashion inspiration on Shein for shoes, clothing, accessories and sports equipment. This 10-year-old app has a 4.4-star rating from an estimated 6.2 million reviews and holds 11th in the App Store.

Trending up on Google Play Store

Here are the rising players within the top 100 to keep an eye on:

• ChatGPT - Store Rank: 52
• Nationwide Banking App - Store Rank: 72
• Amazon Alexa - Store Rank: 97
• BBC Sounds: Radio & Podcasts - Store Rank: 98
• Sky News: Breaking, UK & World - Store Rank: 78

These Play Store apps entered the top 100 in January 2024:

• Uber: Request a ride - Store Rank: 72
• Uber Eats: Food Delivery - Store Rank: 157
• McDonald’s UK - Store Rank: 45
• Disney+ - Store Rank: 25
• BeReal - Your friends for real - Store Rank: 99

Rising players on the Apple App Store

You may not be familiar with these apps, but they are slowly reaching high rankings within the top 100 apps on the App Store:

• Trainline: Buy train tickets - Store Rank: 36
• Hacoo - Sara Low price Mart - Store Rank: 51
• Santander Pilot - Store Rank: 53
• Coupert: Coupons & Cash Back - Store Rank: 58
• ReelShort - Store Rank: 73

These apps joined the top 100 in January 2024:

• Plants vs. Zombies™ - Store Rank: 45
• Been - Store Rank: 69
• Deliveroo: Food Delivery App - Store Rank: 91

What’s not hot anymore?

Unfortunately, some amazing apps dropped out of the top 100 or are trending down.

Google Play Trending Down:

• HSBC UK Mobile Banking - Store Rank: 93
• The National Lottery: Official - Store Rank: 83
• AliExpress - Store Rank: 184
• Nova Launcher - Store Rank: 92
• Samsung Health - Store Rank: 94

App Store Trending Down:

• Outlets Rush - Store Rank: 42
• Last War: Survival - Store Rank: 63
• Darts Club - Store Rank: 67
• MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter - Store Rank: 98

The top 20 free Apps - a WOW experience!

In this WOW-filled journey through the trendiest apps on the App Store and Google Play, we've witnessed the diverse landscape of digital innovation. From social platforms shaping conversations to apps prioritising well-being, the WOW factor is evident in every download.

Here are the top 20 rankings on Google Play and the App Store in the UK:

As the app ecosystem continues to evolve, one thing is certain – the next big WOW is just a download away. Check out the top-ranked Android Google Play and iOS App Store apps updated every hour in every category and hour.

App-solutely ready to WOW you!

As we wrap up this exploration, one thing becomes clear – the digital landscape is ever-changing, with new WOW apps emerging regularly.

This dynamic nature ensures a continuous ebb and flow of apps, with new contenders emerging regularly and old favourites gracefully stepping down.

The Apple App Store and Google Play Store both have their unique allure and continue to shape how we interact and engage with the digital world - beyond the icons and the sea of apps; there is a "WOW" world filled with innovation, creativity, and endless possibilities. Explore, discover, and let the amazing digital realm captivate you.

Grab your devices and dig into the digital outback because the world of apps is waiting to WOW you!