Apple’s App Store recorded a surge in new app launches in 2025, marking the highest volume of releases since 2016. According to Sensor Tower, new submissions grew 30% to nearly 600,000 applications. This shift reverses a 46% decline in launches observed between 2016 and 2024.
The growth momentum continued into early 2026. Generative AI and low-code development tools are driving the resurgence by lowering technical barriers for entrepreneurs and non-programmers.
These applications are creating a significant new revenue stream for the platform. Apple is projected to collect over $1 billion in commissions from AI app subscriptions in 2026.