Do Apps Get Paid? How Mobile Apps Really Make Money
First off — what does “getting paid” even mean for apps?
You’ve probably downloaded dozens of apps in your life. Maybe some cost a few bucks, most are free. But have you ever stopped and thought: do these apps actually make money? Or are they just passion projects floating in the app store abyss?
Well, spoiler alert — some apps make a lot of money. Like, ridiculous amounts. Others... not so much. Let’s break down how it all works.
Paid apps vs. free apps: who earns more?
Paid apps: upfront, simple, but limited
Some apps charge you right away. $0.99, $4.99, sometimes more. This model used to be the way to go in the early App Store days. People paid, developers got their cut (after Apple/Google took their slice — 15% to 30%). Straightforward, right?
But here’s the kicker — paid apps aren't the cash cow anymore. Users got used to free stuff. Honestly, most people won't spend money on an app unless it's super niche or crazy useful.
Free apps: the kings of monetization (no joke)
Ironically, the free apps often earn way more than the paid ones. Why? Because they’re not really free. They just monetize differently:
Ads: Yeah, those annoying banner or full-screen ads? They bring real money.
In-app purchases (IAPs): Skins, coins, boosts, filters — digital extras people love buying.
Subscriptions: Monthly or yearly fees for premium features — a goldmine for many apps.
Freemium models: Basic stuff is free, but serious users have to pay eventually.
How much money can an app actually make?
Some real-world numbers (brace yourself)
Candy Crush Saga earns over $1 million per day. Yep, per day.
Tinder pulls in hundreds of millions yearly through subscriptions.
Even smaller apps — meditation apps, language learning tools, simple games — can bring in tens of thousands a month if they hit the right niche.
But hold on — it’s not all rainbows. Many apps earn almost nothing. Like, a few bucks a week, if that. The top 1% of apps make most of the revenue in the app world.
Where does the money actually come from?
App Stores and platforms
Google Play and Apple’s App Store act as middlemen. When you pay for something, they take a cut before passing it to the developer. Apple used to take 30% on everything, now it's sometimes 15% for small devs or subscriptions after a year.
Advertisers and networks
Apps that show ads get paid by ad networks (like AdMob, Facebook Audience Network). More users = more impressions = more money. But the rate per view can be tiny (like $0.01 per ad in some cases), so volume is key.
You — the user
If you’ve ever bought a skin, skipped a level with coins, or paid $4.99 for “Pro,” you’ve directly contributed to app revenue. Thanks, I guess?
Personal story: I once made $27 from a dumb calculator app
True story. In 2016, I published a simple tip calculator app for restaurants. Took me a weekend to build. Put a $1.99 price on it just for fun.
Over a year? I made $27. Which sounds laughable (and kind of is), but also — not bad for zero marketing and a few hours of work.
So yeah, apps can get paid. Just depends what you’re offering and to who.
Final thoughts: apps do get paid — but it’s complicated
So, do apps get paid? Absolutely. But not in one uniform way. Some rake in millions, others barely cover a coffee. Success depends on your model, your audience, and sometimes just dumb luck.
If you’re dreaming of making the next viral app? Go for it. But maybe don’t quit your day job just yet.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
---|---|---|
14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.