World’s Most Popular Apps in 2020

As of mid-2020, there were over 2.7 million apps available on the Google Play Store and around 2.1 million on the Apple App Store. Smartphone users had a vast selection to choose from.

Here are 10 of the most popular apps in the world in 2020, a list dominated by social media platforms. For anyone who manages a business, knowing how to market effectively using social media is key to reaching a large audience.

1. Facebook

Facebook took over the social networking scene when it was first introduced. It took the reigns that were previously held by MySpace (had over a million users when Facebook went online) and has continued to dominate the market since then.

With that being said, it is no surprise that the Facebook app is one of the most popular apps on both the Play Store and App Store (more than 4 billion downloads). The app allows you to do everything you would do on the regular desktop site except for messaging. That is supported only by Facebook Messenger, its companion app.

2. Facebook Messenger

Considering that Facebook takes a huge slice of the social market, the messaging app is also considered one of the most popular apps in the world, with over 3 billion downloads. It features instant messaging, video calling, and even helps find old friends and new. Facebook keeps rolling out new features with every update on their Messenger app, and bugs are fixed promptly.

3. Instagram

Another social networking app, Instagram has climbed the ladders quickly to become one of the most popular apps with close to 2 billion downloads. The app differs from Facebook and even MySpace in that it is purely a photo and video-sharing application.

The fluid functioning and the aesthetically pleasing design have helped Instagram reach its current status. Notably, Facebook bought Instagram in 2012, almost 1.5 years after they launched, and it has continued to grow and succeed in the market.

4. WhatsApp

WhatsApp has become the norm nowadays for instant messaging. With over 3 billion downloads, this has become by far one of the most used apps in the world. WhatsApp allows users to chat, call, and video call for free with extreme easiness and superb quality.

It also added features of WhatsApp status (similar to stories on Instagram) in 2017, which had its fair share of success. Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for close to $20 billion.

5. YouTube

What might come as a surprise is that the creators had designed YouTube to be an online dating website where people could upload videos of themselves with their interests to attract prospective matches. The idea didn’t garner enough viewers, and they switched to the general video-sharing platform we see today.

The YouTube app allows users to watch videos, share them via other services, make playlists, and save videos to watch later. Over 25% of YouTube streaming is through the app, making it another popular app in the world.

6. Twitter

Twitter was one of the most widely used apps in 2020, serving as a platform for global communication and information sharing. With around 330 million monthly active users, Twitter provided real-time updates on events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, political developments, and social movements. The platform’s 280-character limit encouraged brief and to-the-point communication, making it useful for quickly sharing news, opinions, and trending topics.

7. Gmail

This email service was launched by Google in 2004 and is one of the most popular apps, allowing users to check their mail, compose and schedule emails, among other tasks. The general-purpose app is used for both work and business communication, through to private communication and even tasks such as social media updates, co-parenting communication, and email marketing.

The app has an easy and simple interface, making it usable by all ages without much hassle or tech-savviness. With over 3.9 billion downloads, Gmail is one of the most popular and useful apps in the world with tons of features.

8. TikTok

TikTok, launched by the Chinese company ByteDance in 2016, has rapidly become one of the most popular apps globally, especially among younger audiences. By 2020, TikTok had been downloaded over 2 billion times across the Play Store and App Store combined.

The app allows users to create and share short-form videos, often set to music, with a wide array of editing tools and filters. Its algorithm, which personalises content based on user interactions, has been a significant factor in its viral growth and engagement.

9. Zoom

Zoom became one of the most popular apps in 2020, largely due to its pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic. With its user-friendly interface and features like virtual backgrounds and breakout rooms, Zoom quickly outpaced competitors like Skype, reaching over 300 million daily meeting participants by April 2020. Its ability to seamlessly handle large meetings made it the go-to platform for businesses, schools, and social gatherings. It became the leader in the video conferencing market.

10. Skype

This video-calling and instant messaging application has also become one of the most popular apps in the world. Owned by Microsoft, Skype has more than 1 billion downloads and is a top contender in the video calling market. With features such as IM, video calling, and voice calling, Skype has upgraded over the years with bug fixes and regular updates and grown to a large extent.