Meet the App Companies That Dominate the Industry
The amount of Android apps available are staggering, so it’s no surprise many app companies became wildly successful. When Android Inc. was acquired by Google in 2005, it quickly transformed from an obscure company into a globally-recognized phenomenon. After being adopted by Sony, HTC & Samsung, Android overtook Symbian OS as the top smartphone operating system in 2010. By 2017, 80% of all smartphone sales around the world were Android. They are predicted to reach 85% of all smartphone shipments worldwide in 2020, so this beloved operating system isn’t going anywhere.
Android has come a long way, and so have the app companies that helped create this epic transition. Today 3.8 million apps are available in Google Play, which is a sharp contrast to the 2 million apps offered by Apple. As this number continues to grow exponentially each year, more users are switching to Android. While this robust selection of apps employs countless companies, a few app companies manage to stand out. These companies have pioneered apps as we know them with their innovative creations.
Even though most Android users are familiar with the top apps, the companies behind them remain shrouded in mystery. To truly understand where the industry is going, examining the companies behind the biggest games are essential. For this reason, we compiled a list of the most successful app companies. These visionary teams revolutionized both app stores by creating apps that invaded smartphones around the world. Their stories are just as remarkable as they are inspiring, so prepare to get an intimate look at these companies!
Most Successful App Companies
App Company #3: Line ($1.2 Billion Annual Revenue) – Even though this Japanese publisher offers a slew of mobile games, their messaging app has stolen the show. Ever since it was launched in 2011, Line took Asia by storm. In just four years, the amount of people using Line dramatically rose from 100 to 700 million. By 2016, the Asia based messaging app boasted 220 million daily active users. While most of these users are concentrated in Japan, China, Korea & Thailand, this app has gained traction around the world. Today it’s offered in 40 languages and generates a staggering 1.17 billion in revenue.
Despite captivating most of Asia, Line continues to diversify itself to stay relevant. They generate funds through purchases of sticker packs, games and a special set of characters called Line Friends. They also unveiled a new payment feature called Line Pay that can be used in stores. This compliments Line Taxi and Line Wow to pay for taxis, food, products and delivery services. With such a diverse amount of options, the future looks bright for Line.
App Company #2: King ($1.59 Billion Annual Revenue) – Ever since it was founded in 2003, this company has pumped out quality apps. Their most notable release was the Candy Crush Saga which is widely considered the most financially-successful freemium game ever made. This game’s blockbuster 2012 release transformed King into one of the most revered app companies in the industry. During its heyday in 2013, King raked in over $1.9 billion. This staggering amount of revenue made investors reevaluate what was possible with apps.
King followed up this wildly popular release with the Pet Rescue and Farm Heroes sagas. Despite being eerily similar to Candy Crush these games managed to keep the company relevant. In February 2016, Activision Blizzard purchased King for $5.9 billion. This proved to be a wise investment since the company generated $1.59 billion in revenue that same year. They currently have 13 studios and 2,000 employees, so users can expect more apps from King.
App Company #1: Supercell (€2.11 Billion Annual Revenue) – This Finnish mobile game development company has taken over the industry with a series of addicting strategy games. From Clash of Clans to Boom Beach, their line of freemium games have been wildly successful. Two of their games generated $2.4 million a day in 2013, which was previously unheard of. This staggering amount of income helped the company’s revenue grow by 800% in three years. Today Supercell is valued at $10.2 billion, which makes it too successful to ignore. Creating games revolving around strategy proved to be visionary, so it will be interesting to see what this company thinks of next.