© Gigi Delgado/Shutterstock.com
Digital economy data provider Sensor Tower has released its State of the Mobile report. A study that provides us with a wealth of interesting data on the French mobile ecosystem throughout 2024.
TikTok, against all odds
Mobile app downloads saw a slight increase last year, after a period of stagnation observed in 2022 and 2023. As a result, France now ranks 16th worldwide and occupies 3rd position in Europe in this area. In terms of consumer spending on in-app purchases and subscriptions, France reached 9th place worldwide, while also retaining 3rd place at the European level.
This ecosystem is part of a global dynamic: in France, only 21% of downloads, all categories combined, came from national publishers last year. And it was TikTok that ranked first among the most downloaded applications, with a 25% increase in its installations compared to 2023. It is ahead of Netflix, Temu and WhatsApp.
This figure demonstrates the immense popularity of the Chinese social network, which is going through a very tumultuous period across the Atlantic. Moreover, the platform remains the application on which the French spend the most time.
More broadly, social media app downloads increased 11% last year, to 103 million. As TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat develop features to emphasize in-app purchases, French spending on these apps has increased 64%.
The most downloaded applications in France in 2024. © Sensor Tower
AI chatbots are invading our smartphones
Another notable fact: AI chatbots have literally invaded French people's smartphones. In 2024, they established themselves as the most downloaded category of applications, ahead of social networks, with 13.8 million additional installations compared to the previous year. Of course, ChatGPT is the one that happily dominates this ranking, ahead of Google's Gemini and the ChatOn application. Microsoft Copilot is in fourth place.
Concerning the time spent on applications, AI chatbots occupy 4th place among the uses of French consumers, preceded by search browsers, messaging and music and podcast platforms.
The most downloaded AI chatbots in France in 2024. © Sensor Tower
Cryptos (re)take off
The French have massively adopted mobile financial services in 2024, with a 22% increase in downloads of financial applications, which total 91 million installations. The segment ranks third among the most downloaded app categories in 2024. This trend is accompanied by a 13% increase in the time spent on these platforms, a sign of the growing integration of mobile solutions into the daily management of finances.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The craze for cryptocurrencies is confirmed, with a spectacular 47% increase in the number of sessions in dedicated applications. This figure reflects a more intensive and regular use of crypto platforms, also propelled by the election of Donald Trump in the United States, the American president having promised to deregulate the sector.
On the podium of the most popular applications, the neobank Revolut is at the top of the downloads, followed by the payment solutions Paylib and PayPal. However, traditional banking institutions maintain their dominant position: the applications of Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas remain widely used for everyday banking services.
The most downloaded finance apps in France in 2024. © Sensor Tower
Mixed results for entertainment
The state of the French mobile gaming market is more mixed. Despite a 6% drop in downloads (705 million), revenues increased by 13% to reach $1.4 billion. Brawl Stars dominates the download ranking, ahead of Pokémon TCG Pocket and ROBLOX. Analysts predict continued growth in spending in 2025.
A similar observation is made for video streaming. App downloads increased by 12% to reach 50.5 million, while spending jumped by 36.5%. However, viewing time fell by 8.6%. Netflix remains the leader, ahead of Amazon Prime Video and MYTF1. This dual dynamic illustrates a changing market where rising revenues do not necessarily reflect user engagement.
The mobile games on which the French spent the most time in 2024. © Sensor Tower
Sport and connected health mark a nice progression
Unsurprisingly, theParis Olympic Games have boosted the craze for sports applications< /strong>. Downloads jumped 19% to 20.2 million, generating revenue of €21.5 million. The official Olympics app led the way. ranking, followed closely by DAZN (broadcaster of Ligue 1) and Betclic.
Connected health confirmed its progress with a 13% increase in downloads of health and fitness applications, which generated 109 million installations. Spending in this sector soared by 24% to reach 101 million dollars. Doctolib remains the favorite health application of the French, ahead of ameli and Mon espace santé. A dynamic that illustrates the growing importance of digital health services.
On the other hand, the food and beverage sector is stagnating. Downloads fell by 6% to 34.8 million, while the number of sessions decreased by 2.5%. French platform Too Good To Go, which fights against food waste, maintains its leading position in this category ahead of giants Uber Eats and McDonald's.
The most downloaded food apps in France in 2024. © Sensor Tower
A notable figure to conclude: France is in last place in the ranking of European countries in terms of time screen!
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