Free vs Paid Apps: Are Paid Apps Worth It? Insights From Analyzing 52,000 Google Play Store Apps
Ever wondered if charging users for your app actually pays off? We crunched the numbers on 52,000 Android apps to find out how free apps stack up against paid apps on Google Play. The results might surprise you.
The Big Picture
We analyzed 52,000 apps and compared downloads, ratings, and user engagement between Free Apps and Paid Apps. 
Here’s the breakdown:
| App Type | Number of Apps | Avg. Downloads | Avg. Rating | Avg. Ratings Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Apps | 50,497 | 16,512,191 | 2.16 | 129,320 |
| Paid Apps | 1,503 | 232,026 | 2.03 | 11,160 |
Key Insights from the Data
1. Free Apps Dominate on Downloads
Free apps blow paid apps out of the water when it comes to user acquisition. On average:
- Free apps get ~16.5M downloads
- Paid apps get ~232K downloads
That’s a 71x difference. Unless your app solves a unique problem, the market rewards free.
2. Ratings Are Low Across the Board
Interestingly, the average rating for both free and paid apps is just above 2 stars:
- Free Apps → 2.16★
- Paid Apps → 2.03★
This suggests two possibilities:
- There are lots of low-quality apps in both categories
- Paid apps might create higher expectations, leading to harsher reviews
3. Engagement Gap: Free Apps Win Again
When looking at the average number of ratings per app, free apps outperform paid ones:
- Free Apps → 129,320 ratings on average
- Paid Apps → 11,160 ratings on average
This shows free apps reach more users, get more feedback, and have better chances of going viral.
So… Should You Go Paid?
If your goal is maximum reach and growth, the data is clear:
Free apps dominate in downloads and user engagement.
However, that doesn’t mean paid apps are dead:
- If you have a niche solution or a premium experience, going paid can still work.
- Many developers combine strategies: launching free first, then offering in-app purchases or premium versions later.
Final Thoughts
We looked at 52,000 apps and found a huge gap between free and paid performance. If you’re building an app today, the numbers lean heavily toward going free, at least initially if you want to maximize adoption.
