Who Owns App Store?
App Store is owned by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), a publicly traded American technology corporation founded in 1976 and headquartered in Cupertino, California. Launched in July 2008, App Store is Apple's digital marketplace for applications across its device platforms. Apple's Services segment, which includes App Store, generated $96.2 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024, representing approximately 24.6% of Apple's total revenue.
Parent Company
Founded
2008
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
App Store Timeline
Who Owns App Store?
- Parent Company: Apple Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: AAPL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| App Store | Apple Inc. | Brand division |
History of App Store
- Founded: 2008
- Founders: Apple Inc. (internal development)
Apple launched the App Store on July 10, 2008, alongside the release of iPhone OS 2.0. The platform opened with approximately 500 apps. The concept was not entirely new: Palm and Nokia had operated third-party software distribution platforms before, but App Store combined a curated review process, a single payment system, and a clear 70/30 revenue split in a way that no mobile platform had done before.
The numbers grew rapidly. By January 2009 the platform had crossed 500 million total downloads. By January 2010 it had passed 3 billion. When Apple launched the iPad in April 2010, App Store expanded to serve a second major device form factor. The Mac App Store launched in December 2010, extending the distribution model to desktop software for the first time.
App Store reached 1 million apps in 2013 and continued growing, peaking at approximately 2.2 million apps before Apple began removing outdated or non-functional apps through a cleanup initiative. By December 2025, the catalog contained approximately 2.06 million apps, with approximately 852,000 carrying user ratings.
The App Store Small Business Program launched in January 2021, reducing the commission for developers earning under $1 million annually from 30% to 15%. Apple described this as affecting the majority of developers on the platform. The standard 30% commission remained in place for larger developers, which remained a focal point of antitrust disputes.
Apple introduced the App Store Awards annually beginning in 2019, using its editorial team to select App of the Year and Game of the Year winners. The program is Apple's primary public-facing quality recognition initiative for third-party developers.
About Apple Inc.
What does Apple own?
Apple owns the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, and Apple Vision Pro hardware product lines, as well as software platforms including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Apple's services portfolio includes the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, iCloud, and Apple Pay. Apple also owns Beats Electronics, acquired in 2014 for $3 billion.
Is Apple publicly traded?
Yes. Apple trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AAPL. The company went public in December 1980. Apple is one of the most widely held stocks globally, with Vanguard, BlackRock, Berkshire Hathaway, and State Street among the largest shareholders.
Who founded Apple?
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Steve Jobs led the company through its most transformative periods, including the launch of the iPhone in 2007. Tim Cook has served as CEO since Jobs' death in October 2011.
Where is Apple headquartered?
Apple is headquartered in Cupertino, California, at its Apple Park campus, which opened in 2017.
What is Apple's revenue?
Apple reported FY2025 annual revenue of $416.2 billion (ended September 27, 2025), with net income of $112.0 billion. For Q3 FY2026 (ended June 27, 2026), Apple reported revenue of $109.4 billion, up 16% year over year, with net income of $29.8 billion.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple's suite of AI features integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, introduced in 2024. It includes writing tools, image generation, enhanced Siri capabilities, and on-device AI processing using the Neural Engine in Apple's M-series and A-series chips. At WWDC26 in June 2026, Apple introduced the all-new Siri AI as part of its continued Apple Intelligence expansion.
What antitrust cases is Apple facing?
The US Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple in March 2024, alleging that Apple illegally maintains a smartphone monopoly. In June 2025, a federal judge denied Apple's motion to dismiss, allowing the case to proceed. The EU's Digital Markets Act requires Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems in the EU. Epic Games' antitrust case resulted in a ruling requiring Apple to allow developers to direct users to external payment methods.
How many people work at Apple?
Apple employs approximately 164,000 people worldwide. The company designs products in-house and contracts manufacturing primarily to Foxconn, Pegatron, and other suppliers in China, Vietnam, and India.
- Founded: 1976
- Headquarters: Cupertino, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: AAPL
- Revenue: $416.2 billion (FY2025, ended September 2025)
- Employees: ~164,000
Where Is App Store Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States
App Store Categories & Tags
Awards & Recognition
App Store's annual App Store Awards program, run by Apple's editorial team since 2019, recognizes the App of the Year and Game of the Year across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch categories. Winners for 2024 included Imprint as iPhone App of the Year and Balatro as iPhone Game of the Year. The awards are selected by Apple's editorial staff rather than by independent external judges. Developers widely seek the designation because editorial selection significantly increases App Store visibility.
App Store Recalls & Controversies
Epic Games Antitrust Litigation: Epic Games filed suit against Apple in August 2020 after Apple removed Fortnite from App Store for violating in-app purchase rules. Epic argued Apple's 30% commission and ban on alternative payment systems constituted illegal monopolization. A U.S. federal court ruled in September 2021 that Apple was not a monopolist under federal antitrust law but ordered Apple to allow developers to include links to external payment systems. Apple appealed. The Ninth Circuit upheld the injunction in 2023. Apple made changes to comply in January 2024, allowing developers to link to external payment pages in the United States.
EU Digital Markets Act Compliance: The European Union designated Apple as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act in September 2023, requiring Apple to allow alternative app marketplaces in the EU by March 2024. Apple introduced alternative distribution options in the EU in March 2024 but faced criticism from regulators and developers who argued the terms, including a Core Technology Fee of 0.50 euros per install after 1 million installs per year, were designed to discourage use of alternatives. The European Commission opened formal non-compliance proceedings in 2024.
South Korea and Japan Regulatory Actions: South Korea passed legislation in 2021 requiring app store operators to allow third-party payment systems. Apple introduced alternative payment options in South Korea in 2022. Japanese regulators reached an agreement with Apple in 2021 requiring the company to allow "reader apps" to link to external websites for account management.
Developer Commission Criticism: The 30% standard commission has been a consistent point of criticism from both large developers, including Spotify and Netflix, and smaller independent developers. Spotify's formal complaint to the European Commission in 2019 was a catalyst for the EU's subsequent DMA investigation. The App Store Small Business Program at 15% for under $1 million in annual earnings, introduced in 2021, partially addressed the criticism but did not resolve it for larger developers.
Brands Owned by Apple Inc.
Consumer ElectronicsAirPods
Owned by Apple Inc.
Apple's wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones product line, launched in 2016 and sold across the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max tiers.
wireless-earbudsaudioheadphones
Media EntertainmentApple Arcade
Owned by Apple Inc.
Apple's subscription gaming service offering unlimited access to over 200 premium games without ads or in-app purchases, available across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
gamingsubscription-servicegames
Media EntertainmentApple Fitness+
Owned by Apple Inc.
Apple's fitness subscription service offering guided workouts synced to Apple Watch metrics, available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.
fitnessworkouthealth
Technology SoftwareApple Maps
Owned by Apple Inc.
Mapping and navigation service developed by Apple Inc., providing turn-by-turn directions, transit information, and location-based services across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
navigationmappingtraffic
MusicApple Music
Owned by Apple Inc.
American music and video streaming service developed and operated by Apple Inc.
music-streamingstreamingaudio
Finance FintechApple Pay
Owned by Apple Inc.
Apple's mobile payment and digital wallet service enabling contactless payments and financial transactions on Apple devices.
mobile-paymentdigital-walletcontactless-payment
App Store Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Only authorized distribution channel for iOS apps, giving Apple complete control over quality and security
- +Access to approximately 1.4 billion active iPhone users globally as a potential addressable market for developers
- +15% commission tier for small developers earning under $1 million annually reduces cost for most iOS developers
- +App Store Awards editorial program provides high-visibility marketing for selected apps at no cost to developers
- +Apple's brand association with quality and premium products benefits apps distributed through the platform
Considerations
- -Standard 30% commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions for larger developers is higher than most competing platforms
- -Apple holds final authority over app approvals and removals, with limited independent appeal process for developers
- -EU Digital Markets Act compliance obligations and ongoing regulatory pressure in multiple jurisdictions represent legal uncertainty
- -App review process timelines and decision transparency remain sources of friction for developers
- -Alternative app marketplaces now permitted in the EU, creating potential fragmentation of the iOS distribution model
Frequently Asked Questions About App Store
Sources & Further Reading
- App Store Official Website -
- Apple Inc. Investor Relations -
- SEC EDGAR: Apple (AAPL) annual filings -
- NASDAQ: AAPL Apple stock -
- Wikidata: App Store -
- Apple Developer Program -
- App Store Review Guidelines -
- European Commission: Digital Markets Act -
- Epic v. Apple: Ninth Circuit Opinion -
- Sensor Tower: App Store Market Intelligence -
Competitors to App Store
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | United States | 2019 | Premium | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: App Store competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Independent Alternatives to App Store
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Technology SoftwareFL Studio
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FL Studio is privately owned, unlike App Store which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Technology SoftwareOmniPlan
Owned by The Omni Group
Professional project management software for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Apple Vision Pro. Developed by The Omni Group, an employee-owned company in Seattle, Washington.
project-managementgantt-chartsapple-software
Privately Owned
OmniPlan is privately owned, unlike App Store which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Technology SoftwareProcreate
Owned by Savage Interactive
Digital illustration app for iPad designed for artists, featuring hundreds of handmade brushes, layers, and creative tools powered by the proprietary Valkyrie graphics engine.
digital-artillustrationipad-app
Privately Owned
Procreate is privately owned, unlike App Store which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Technology SoftwareProton Mail
Owned by Proton AG
Swiss-based encrypted email service providing end-to-end encryption and zero-access privacy for over 100 million accounts worldwide, operated by Proton AG under foundation ownership.
encrypted-emailprivacysecurity
Privately Owned
Proton Mail is privately owned, unlike App Store which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Technology SoftwareWrike
Owned by Symphony Technology Group
Cloud-based collaborative work management platform for managing projects, deadlines, schedules, and workflow processes. Owned by Symphony Technology Group.
project-managementcollaborationworkflow-management
Privately Owned
Wrike is privately owned, unlike App Store which is under a publicly traded parent company.
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