Because the “mobile-first technology,” Gen Z has a huge effect on app utilization, shaping the app obtain charts. The report takes a take a look at the 50 most downloaded apps by Gen Z this yr.
On account of privateness restrictions, the supply could not get knowledge for customers aged 13 to 17, so it solely supplied obtain figures for these aged 18 to 24 within the US. This does not give the total image, but it surely nonetheless presents a glimpse into the app preferences of the older Gen Z crowd.
From January to October, probably the most downloaded app within the US was Temu, the net market that is grow to be a go-to for just about something you would want – typically at steep reductions. Gen Z alone has downloaded the app 41.98 million occasions. However, Shein, its greatest competitor, noticed simply 14.68 million new downloads throughout the identical interval.
Not far behind Temu, TikTok secured second place with 33.23 million downloads. Possibly this comes as no shock, contemplating the app is a large hit with Gen Z because of its fast, digestible content material. It is grow to be so standard that it is even overtaken Google as a most well-liked search engine for a lot of on this age group.
TikTok is Gen Z’s second-favorite app. | Picture credit score – PhoneArena
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YouTube nonetheless holds a robust spot, too, with 14.03 million new installs from Gen Z customers between January and October. Whereas that is not fairly on TikTok’s degree, it nonetheless reveals vital engagement from the youthful crowd.
YouTube nonetheless holds its floor within the Gen Z world. | Picture credit score – PhoneArena
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Moreover, Gen Z appears to be driving progress within the brief drama app house. ShortMax, an app providing 1,000 brief movies throughout genres like drama, romance, and thriller, has gained main traction, with over 10 million installs from 18- to 24-year-olds in 2024 alone.
Gen Z is not simply sticking to buying and video apps – they’re additionally flocking to Meta’s suite of apps. Main the pack is Threads with 32.32 million installs, adopted by WhatsApp at 28.42 million, Instagram with 26.29 million, Fb at 20.58 million, and Messenger at 17.63 million. I feel it is clear that Meta remains to be a serious participant within the app world for this technology.
Google can be holding robust within the Gen Z app scene, with its search engine app notching up 17.65 million installs this yr. Different Google merchandise aren’t too far behind, with Chrome and Meet racking up 10.19 million and 9.63 million installs, respectively. Google Drive and Google Images are nonetheless going robust, too, with 7.22 million and 6.79 million downloads. Total, Google’s ecosystem stays a key a part of every day digital life for Gen Z.
One other unsurprising discovering is that OpenAI’s ChatGPT remains to be a prime decide for Gen Z, with 24.63 million installs. With many on this age group both in school or simply beginning their careers, ChatGPT has grow to be a go-to software. One other AI-driven app gaining consideration is Gauth, a examine companion developed by ByteDance (the dad or mum firm of TikTok). It is picked up 8.37 million installs.
OpenAI with its superior AI fashions is outwardly charming Gen Z. | Video credit score – OpenAI
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Gen Z loves their photo-sharing and social media apps, so it is no shock that these platforms are a giant a part of their every day life. Past Threads and Instagram, ByteDance’s CapCut stands out as a favourite. The video modifying app, recognized for its cool results and filters, has made it tremendous simple to create content material for TikTok and different platforms, snagging 21.72 million downloads.
Lemon8, one other app from ByteDance, has additionally gained consideration, with 7.7 million downloads. Whereas it is nonetheless discovering its toes within the US, this Instagram clone is unquestionably catching the attention of Gen Z.
Different notable apps within the combine embrace Snapchat, which pulled in 19.16 million installs, Telegram at 13.12 million, Pinterest with 8.23 million, Reddit at 8.06 million, and X with 7.58 million. Lastly, it appears to be like like Spotify is the go-to music streaming app for Gen Z, racking up 10.45 million downloads.
What I discover actually attention-grabbing about these stats is how they make clear the shifting app panorama (for instance, ByteDance is changing into a fair greater participant within the US) and the way individuals, particularly youthful generations, are evolving. As an illustration, AI is changing into a necessary software for them, and short-form video? Undoubtedly right here to remain – if you wish to sustain with Gen Z, that is the best way to talk their language.
