10 mobile app categories to watch

April 10, 2025

The mobile app market has grown exponentially since the introduction of smartphones. As technology advances, so do opportunities for innovative apps that solve real-world problems, simplify processes and enhance user experiences. Spending is still rising: according to Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile 2026 report, consumers spent $167 billion on in-app purchases across iOS and Google Play in 2025, up 10% on the previous year, and for the first time they spent more on apps than on games. Businesses that embrace mobile-first strategies are well placed to capture this growth.

Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and blockchain are reshaping app development, driving growth and redefining user experiences. If you’re looking to develop a future-proof app, focusing on these areas can set you apart. Here are 10 app categories to watch.

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) apps

AI has become integral to app development, offering personalised and interactive experiences. From chat assistants to AI-powered writing, photo and productivity tools, it is one of the fastest-growing parts of the app market. Sensor Tower counted 148% year-on-year growth in AI app downloads in 2025, and ChatGPT became the third-highest-grossing app of the year, behind TikTok and Google One. Successful AI apps address specific challenges, ensuring they’re not just trendy but genuinely useful.

2. Virtual Reality (VR) apps

VR apps provide immersive, multi-dimensional experiences. From gaming to virtual classrooms, these apps are transforming how users engage with digital content. Developers now have several headset ecosystems to target, including Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro and, since October 2025, Samsung’s Galaxy XR, the first device running Google’s Android XR platform. The potential for VR goes beyond entertainment, with promising applications in education, real estate and healthcare.

3. Blockchain apps

Blockchain technology offers secure, decentralised solutions for various industries. Regulation is catching up: in the US, the GENIUS Act, signed in July 2025, created a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins. Beyond cryptocurrency, blockchain apps facilitate transparent and safe data management, making them relevant for fintech, gaming and more.

Must read: Reasons why mobile apps are the future of business.

4. E-Learning apps

Demand for accessible, flexible and engaging education keeps growing. Duolingo, one of the best-known learning apps, reported 58.7 million daily active users in the second quarter of 2026, up 23% year on year. Learning apps cater to all age groups and offer interactive tools, increasingly powered by AI, that make learning more effective.

5. Healthcare and Wellness Apps

Health and wellness apps are changing healthcare by making medical consultations, fitness tracking and mental health support more accessible. Data from smartwatches and other wearables opens room for innovation in prevention and remote care, but it also demands strict privacy protection.

6. Fintech apps

Fintech apps simplify financial services, from digital wallets to investment platforms. The segment keeps shifting: Sensor Tower reports that downloads of credit and lending apps rose 18% in 2025, while downloads of investing and cryptocurrency apps fell. These apps give users secure and efficient tools for managing their money.

7. E-Commerce apps

E-commerce apps are reshaping retail, offering features like augmented reality for virtual try-ons and personalised shopping experiences. The category is maturing: Sensor Tower found that global downloads and time spent in retail apps declined in 2025, partly because the expansion of Temu and SHEIN slowed. Retailers are also turning to AI, with shopping assistants such as Amazon’s Rufus and Walmart’s Sparky helping customers find products.

8. Entertainment (Gaming) apps

Gaming apps continue to push the boundaries of mobile entertainment with better graphics, storytelling and live events. Games remain a major source of time spent and in-app revenue, but growth has slowed: Sensor Tower puts the growth in games revenue for 2025 at just 1.3%, as players’ attention is increasingly split with social, short-drama and AI apps.

9. Social networking apps

Social networking remains a cornerstone of mobile app usage. People spent nearly 2.5 trillion hours in social apps in 2025, far more than in any other category, according to Sensor Tower. These platforms help users connect, share and build communities, with features that keep engagement and retention high.

10. Food delivery apps

Convenience is the driving force behind food delivery apps. With streamlined ordering, real-time tracking and a wide range of restaurant options, these apps are transforming the dining experience. Sensor Tower reports 14% year-on-year growth for restaurant and food delivery apps in 2025, taking the category past its pandemic peak.

Building the future

Developing a successful app in these categories requires a clear vision, a skilled team and a focus on user needs. With the right approach, your app can stand out in a crowded market and make a lasting impact on its users.