Big four dominate most popular iOS apps of all time

Facebook has four of the top ten most downloaded apps of all time and people are still playing Fruit Ninja, a new study has found.

An analysis by App Annie of all iPhone and iPad apps going back to 2010 shows the app market is dominated by the big four tech companies – Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Apple.

Twitter, which places at number nine, is the only app in the top ten to not be owned by one of these businesses.

In a testament to the durable nature of apps, and the difficulties in taking on these big players, nearly all of the most downloaded apps are more than four years old.

Unsurprisingly Facebook is the most downloaded app of all time, while its Messenger counterpart is number two, with YouTube, Instagram and Skype completing the top five.

In terms of games, highly addictive, simplistic apps are all the rage, with Candy Crush Saga, Fruit Ninja and Angry Birds being downloaded the most.

Interestingly, things look very different when focusing on revenue, as apps with in-game purchases come to the fore. Pandora Radio has generated the most revenue, while Spotify comes in at number five.

Top Apps by All-Time Worldwide Downloads:

1. Facebook

2. Facebook Messenger

3. YouTube

4. Instagram

5. Skype

6. WhatsApp Messenger

7. Find My iPhone

8. Google Maps

9. Twitter

10. iTunes U

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