Apple's Vision Pro not only gives consumers a new way to interact with apps through spatial computing, it also gives app developers a way to generate revenue without a subscription. According to a recent report from app intelligence company Appfigures, more than half (52%) of Vision Pro-only apps are paid downloads. This percentage is surprising considering only 5% of apps across the App Store monetize in this way.
In addition to the large group of paid downloads, 35% of Vision-only apps were not monetized through the App Store, and 13% offered subscriptions.
Our analysis looked at all apps optimized for Vision Pro, including over 700 apps optimized for new devices. This means apps specifically for the Vision Pro and other apps where developers have optimized existing apps to work with Apple's VR/AR headset. in particular. However, this was not included. There are approximately 1.2 million iOS apps that run on Vision Pro but have not been modified by their developers.
Including iOS apps modified to include the native Vision experience, only 17% were paid downloads and 58% were monetized through subscriptions.
Appfigures told TechCrunch that further analysis of all apps created for Vison Pro showed that the average app price was $5.67, with the highest price being $98 (for the interactive periodic table of elements) It turns out that it is. Most apps cost $9.99 or less. And if you buy all the paid apps, it will cost you $1,089.07, which is still cheaper than the price of the device itself (starting at $3,499).
The takeaway here is that app developers adopting Vision Pro, with its unique native experience built specifically for Apple's AR/VR platform, are returning to a paid download monetization model. That could have provided even more discovery opportunities, but unfortunately, Apple has now removed all Vision Pro apps from the App Store's top charts. This makes it more difficult for developers to track their success and for consumers to discover new apps, as Vision Pro's App Store has no categories. or top chartsimilar to other platforms.
As one Vision Pro developer puts it: michael saymanthe news ticker app for new devices, within days became the #3 app among all paid news apps for iPhone and Vision Pro, and also #1 in the news category.
“The opportunity here is enormous,” he told TechCrunch shortly after the app's release, adding that it has since been downloaded thousands of times. However, with Apple removing the Vision Pro app from the top charts, Sayman says he only intends to return to Vision Pro. Development after Apple fixed search and added more detection options.
Meanwhile, Apollo developer Christian Selig's Vision-only YouTube client for Vision Pro, Juno, also ranked in the top 10 in the photo and video category shortly after the device's launch.
attention Selig on X, “Juno officially paid for my Vision Pro. Who said it wasn't worth developing early on this platform?”
A return to paid apps could be attractive to developers looking for new ways to monetize without stealing customers away with expensive subscriptions.
Apple has long encouraged app developers to adopt monetization models that include free apps with in-app purchases and subscriptions. These models directly benefited Apple due to the 15% to 30% commission fees charged on in-app sales. The move was part of his broader strategy for Apple to become a services-driven business. This means that rather than simply encouraging consumers to buy new iPhones, Macs, and other Apple devices, the company is offering services like AppleCare, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, iCloud, Apple News+, and Apple to support those devices. We also wanted to generate continuous revenue from this. Things like Fitness+, ads, and of course App Store purchases.
These recurring revenue streams are helping Apple cope with market changes surrounding iPhone sales. For example, the company reported a 13% drop in sales in China in the first quarter. At the same time as iPhone sales in the key market declined, Apple's services division increased 11% from the previous quarter to $23.11 billion.
But for consumers, subscription growth is a mixed bag.
This means that even simpler apps will require ongoing payments, and previously free apps with ads will now have to be paid. Additionally, subscription markets often take advantage of the ease of in-app purchases to trick users into subscribing using misleading things like confusing user interface designs or promises of free trials that turn into paid after a few days. opened the door for scammers to trick you into buying a product. tactics. The App Store quickly became filled with complaints about sneaky and overpriced subscriptions.
Given that there appears to be an opportunity for developers to make money with a one-time purchase of Vision Pro, it's strange that Apple was able to remove these apps from the top charts and gain new customers there. is. It remains to be seen how that will affect the revenue model and developer interest in the device itself.