AppMagic: Non-gaming apps have beaten mobile games in IAP revenue since 2016

Mobile games last led in-app purchase (IAP) revenue in 2016, having since been outperformed by non-gaming platforms such as TikTok and AI chatbots. That’s according to a new AppMagic report analysing data from the past decade to mark its 10th anniversary. TiMi Studio Group's Honor of Kings and Garena's Free Fire led mobile gaming charts from 2016 to 2026. However, ChatGPT was the most downloaded app globally in 2025, and TikTok has been the top-grossing app each year since 2020.