"2024 China App Going Global Report: Global Growth, Influence, and Market Opportunities" provides an in-depth analysis of the development trends of Chinese apps in the global market, covering influence, popular app categories, major market conditions, and future outlook, offering comprehensive data and deep insights for industry professionals.
1. Global Influence of Chinese Apps
- Share of Listings and Installations: In 2024, the listing rate of Chinese apps in the US reached 24%, and 22% in India; there are also high listing rates in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as in Latin American countries like Brazil and Mexico. In terms of installation share, Indonesia leads with 22%, Brazil maintains a strong position in Latin America at 17%, and the US stands at 15%.
- Performance of Apps Across Different Industries
- Entertainment Apps: TikTok ranks first in downloads in many countries worldwide. Chinese entertainment apps account for 49% of installations in Singapore and 36% in Pakistan.
- Finance Apps: Revolut leads in downloads in Europe, Cash App in North America, and DANA in Southeast Asia. In Nigeria, 62% of finance app installations come from Chinese developers.
- Game Apps: Block Blast! ranks high in Europe, Roblox in North America, and Garena Free Fire in Southeast Asia. Chinese game apps have the highest installation share in South Korea at 21%.
- Shopping Apps: Popular shopping apps are found in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Temu leads in downloads in some regions, and Chinese apps account for 21% of installations in India's shopping app category.
- Social Apps: TikTok ranks high in social app downloads in multiple regions, and Chinese social apps account for up to 80% of installations in Malaysia.
- Utility Apps: Google One leads in utility app revenue in many regions. Chinese utility apps dominate in Southeast Asian countries, with installation shares of 36% in Vietnam, 33% in Cambodia, and 30% in Indonesia.
2. Short Drama and AI Apps Lead the Overseas Boom
- Short Drama Apps: Chinese short drama apps have exceeded 55 million downloads globally, contributing $170 million in in-app purchases, with the US market accounting for 60% - 70% of revenue. Leading platforms such as ReelShort and DramaBox drive growth, adopting hybrid revenue models. Interest in mobile marketing is rising, TikTok aids global promotion, and Southeast Asia and Europe show strong user engagement.
- AI Apps: The global AI market is expected to reach $407 billion by 2027. Chinese AI companies face challenges such as data privacy and need to iterate based on user feedback, build localized teams, customize products, and develop commercialization strategies. Baidu's ERNIE Bot and ByteDance's TikTok showcase AI application scenarios. Mobile marketers rate AI apps at 52 points, 38% are interested in advertising, and about 25% plan to invest.
3. Major Markets for Chinese Apps
- Europe, Africa, Middle East: App performance fluctuated throughout 2024, with some months seeing growth in installations and sessions, and varying performance across countries and app categories. Finance app installations grew significantly in Germany, the UK, and Ireland; social apps performed well in Germany; utility apps saw notable growth in France. Among game app subcategories, hyper-casual games saw high session growth, simulation and arcade games saw increases in both installations and sessions, while board game installations declined. ATT consent rates increased significantly across multiple categories.
- North America: Installations and sessions fluctuated in January, with installation growth but session decline in July and August. Finance app installations and sessions grew year-on-year; social app installations surged but sessions declined; utility apps maintained growth; entertainment app installations rose slightly but sessions dropped sharply. In the gaming market, hyper-casual game sessions surged, arcade and simulation game installations grew, board game installations declined but sessions increased, and gambling app installations rose but sessions fell. ATT consent rates increased across all app categories.
- Southeast Asia: Installations continued to grow from June to August 2024, with session growth slowing after March. Finance app installations in Indonesia grew rapidly, shopping app installations in the Philippines rose significantly, game apps also grew, social apps saw steady growth in Vietnam, and utility apps performed well in multiple countries. Entertainment app sessions in the Philippines soared, finance app sessions grew in multiple countries, shopping app sessions in the Philippines grew with installations, while sessions in Vietnam declined with installations. Among game app subcategories, arcade, puzzle, and simulation performed well, while hyper-casual games were sluggish. ATT consent rates increased across multiple categories.
