Developers have made $550 billion from the Apple App Store since 2008

Apple’s services had a “record year,” according to a blog post by senior vice president Eddy Cue.

In 2025, Apple had 850 million weekly App Store users (compared to 813 million in 2024), more than $100 billion in Apple Pay business sales, and a 36% increase in monthly Apple TV engagement.

Apple Music also had its best year ever in terms of listenership and new subscriber growth, which is impressive amid Spotify’s long market dominance.

Apple has not frequently disclosed numbers about App Store payments over the past several years, but the company said it has now paid $550 billion to developers since its launch in 2008. This indicates significant growth, as Apple last reported that as of 2021, it had paid $260 billion to developers, up from the $200 billion it announced in 2020.

The App Store generally takes a 30% commission from in-app purchases, although it offers small businesses (developers who earn less than $1 million per year) a discounted 15% fee. This division of Apple’s business has been the target of intense regulatory scrutiny, with international courts investigating it for monopolistic practices.

Apple Music and Apple TV are growing

Apple’s entertainment products are also making significant progress. The company says Apple TV surpassed all previous viewing records in December 2025, and Apple Music achieved record levels of new listeners and subscribers.

Apple TV’s growth comes alongside the debut of hits like “Pluribus” and “The Studio,” as well as continuing hits like “Severance.” Apple TV has also struck major streaming deals with Major League Soccer and Formula 1. “F1,” an Apple TV movie about the sport, has become Apple Studios’ highest-grossing film to date, as well as the highest-grossing film of star Brad Pitt’s career.

Apple credits its karaoke-like “sing-along” feature, partnerships with companies like General Motors and Chase, and other new developments for its growth. He points out that Shazam has generated more than 1 billion recognitions per month, which could have shifted growth to its music service.

But it’s also possible that Apple has benefited from the controversy surrounding Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s business ventures.

Investment firm AEK led a €600 million investment in European defense technology company Helsing, which makes AI-powered military software and drones. Artists like Xiu Xiu, Sylvan Esso, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, and others have removed their catalogs from Spotify in protest.

Spotify has faced other controversies over the past several years, from its platform of coronavirus misinformation via Joe Rogan’s podcast (formerly a Spotify exclusive) to its artist payout metrics.

On the other hand, Apple Music can grow because it simply makes a product that suits some listeners better (I wrote about my decision to switch from Spotify to Apple Music as I became increasingly choked by algorithmic recommendations).

It could also be a financial decision amid uncertain economic times — Apple Music attracts new subscribers with its three-month free offer, which comes alongside the purchase of most new Apple devices.