In May 2025, the global mobile app market continues to be driven by the AI boom, leading to a further optimization of the overall revenue structure.
Subscription services remain on an upward trajectory, with generative AI applications becoming the focal point of growth this month. The "SLG + MOBA + Card" trio continues to dominate the top of the gaming revenue charts, demonstrating strong engagement from high-frequency paying users.
Based on comprehensive revenue data from the App Store and Google Play worldwide, FoxData has released the May 2025 Top 10 Bestselling Apps list, revealing the true "profitability power" behind each month's popularity.
📊 Source: FoxData – Download/Revenue Charts
Covering over 200 countries and regions | App Store & Google Play | Real-time daily updates
Top 10 Bestselling Apps on the App Store (May 2025)
FoxData Insights:
- The top three leaders remain firmly in place: TikTok (including e-commerce and live streaming scenarios), YouTube, and Honor of Kings maintain their TOP 3 positions, with combined monthly revenue surpassing $420 million.
- The penetration rate of AI products continues to rise: ChatGPT has advanced one position to rank fourth, indicating that the subscription model for AI applications on mobile devices is approaching maturity.
- Paid activity in mobile social scenarios is rebounding: Tinder re-enters the TOP 5, reflecting renewed user engagement in emotional and social spending.
📊 Using FoxData to track May App Store download rankings
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Top 10 Bestselling Apps on the Google Play (May 2025)
FoxData Highlights:
- Dominance of Utility Apps: Google One has maintained the top position for several months, with May revenue reaching $3.418 billion, indicating that large-scale subscription models within the Android ecosystem remain lucrative.
- AI and OTT Platforms Enter the Market Simultaneously: The rising trends of ChatGPT and Max (HBO) suggest significant monetization potential through the integration of content and utility categories.
- Intensified Competition in Entertainment Video: TikTok, Disney+, and Peacock TV exhibit considerable overlap in Google Play rankings, yet each targets distinct niche segments.
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Comparison of Revenue Structures between App Store and Google Play
- The App Store emphasizes a “content-driven subscription” model targeting high LTV users, whereas Google Play relies on a combination of user scale and product repurchase strategies through in-app purchases (IAP).
- Example with ChatGPT: AI products tend to attract higher ARPPU users on iOS, while on Android, strengthening stable updates and multi-layered marketing touchpoints are essential to extend user lifecycle.
Analysis of Commercialization Cases: Efficient Monetization Models of Top-tier Products
💡 ChatGPT: The Subscription Core of Generative AI Products
- Revenue Performance: ChatGPT ranks among the top five on both the App Store and Google Play, with total revenue exceeding $83 million in May, of which over 60% is contributed by the App Store.
- Feature Trends: AI assistant tools are transitioning from "popular concepts" to "everyday utilities," with significant market-driven effects in high-income, iOS-dominant markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
FoxData's estimated revenue feature allows for the analysis of market share across different countries
💡 "Last War" + "Whiteout Survival": The Pinnacle of Monetization Engineering in Strategy Games
- Continuation of SLG Structure: Despite "Last War" dropping slightly to rank 6 and "Whiteout Survival" falling to rank 10, combined revenue still exceeds $110 million, maintaining the dominance of strategy games.
Game developers can leverage FoxData for user retention analysis
- High retention activity pacing with precise weekly large gift pack triggers;
- Tactical alliances and resource raiding designs to boost daily active users and high ARPU conversion;
- Clear daily revenue trends shown by FoxData: a significant revenue surge occurs 24 hours before large PVP events and holiday version releases.
Comparison of Revenue Rankings: May 2025 vs. April 2025
Where can I find the revenue rankings for April 2025? 👉Click here!
Global Top 10 App Store Revenue Rankings
The global mobile app market in May continued the overall trend observed in April, but there were more structural adjustments within the rankings. The "top three" giants—TikTok, YouTube, and Honor of Kings—maintained their stable high positions, while the ongoing popularity of AI and card mobile games has driven further reshuffling in the mid-tier rankings.
Trend Insights:
A Comparative Table of the Top 10 Revenue Rankings on Google Play Worldwide
Compared to the previous month, the overall structure of Google Play's revenue rankings in May remains stable. However, detailed analysis reveals a triad of characteristics: dominance of tools, segmentation of content, and a gradual slowdown in entertainment growth. Google One continues to lead the chart, demonstrating a mature subscription model with a closed-loop ecosystem.
Nonetheless, fluctuations in the top ten rankings and shifts in category dominance within the platform reflect a stronger user repurchase dependency and signs of content fatigue within the Google ecosystem.
Trend Insights:
Unlock Global Monetization Opportunities with FoxData 🗺️
🎯 With FoxData, you can:
- Analyze revenue composition and trends for each app across different countries.
- Compare subscription/IAP conversion rates between competitors.
- Dynamically track the impact of version updates on daily revenue curves.
📥 Want to know when and why your competitors' revenue increases?
👉 FoxData has the data map ready for you.
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