Research data as of November 6, 2026 analyzed 178,637 apps across 173 countries since October 9, 2026. About 1 in 10 apps in the charts mention AI (9.8%), with 43% in Graphics & Design. Apps offering in-app purchases or subscriptions are 3 times more likely to mention AI than plain free apps (19.9% vs 6.6%). 26.7% of free-to-download apps sell in-app purchases or subscriptions, ranging from 60.2% in Graphics & Design to 11.5% in Shopping. 20.3% of apps have not been updated for a year or more; 9.8% over three years. In 1-2 star reviews, subscription and price complaints lead at 12.7%, ahead of bugs (10.9%) and login issues (10%).
Of 164,056 free apps, 26.7% offer in-app purchases or subscriptions, with Graphics & Design and Photo & Video leading at 60.2% and 56.1% respectively, while Shopping and News trail at 11.5% and 13.5%. Independent developers account for 67.3% of apps, holding ratings matching larger publishers at 4.41 stars. 70.9% of apps were updated in the last six months, yet 20.3% have gone over a year without an update, with Books, Reference and News most abandoned and Finance the fewest at 10.9%.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing