Top 10 most downloaded apps of 2021

Without context, the top most downloaded applications of 2021 so far may look a bit surprising.

The global outbreak has had a big impact on the most popular apps of the year. Yet, TikTok, four apps from Meta, and a few social apps are once again top 10 apps globally for 2021. 

According to app statistics compiled by Apptopia, here are the top 10 globally most-download software’s of 2021.  

1.       TikTok: 656 million

2.       Instagram: 545 million

3.       Facebook: 416 million

4.       WhatsApp: 395 million

5.       Telegram: 329 million

6.       Snapchat: 327 million

7.       Zoom: 300 million

8.       Messenger: 268 million

9.       CapCut: 255 million

10.   Spotify: 203 million

It’s no surprise that TikTok is one of the most downloaded apps of 2021. The platform had 850 million downloads last year; almost 200 million more than the still-impressive 656 million it achieved this year.

On the gainers side, Instagram was up about 40 million installs from last year.

WhatsApp was down over 200 million app installs as well, and Messenger was down from 404 million last year to 268 million this year. 

Facebook, Meta’s flagship app, was also down, having achieved 540 million installs last year compared to 416 million in 2021. 

Zoom had 477 million installs in 2020 versus 300 million in 2021.  

Another popular messaging app is Telegram, a free app with about 500 million active monthly users, which can be used to send photos, videos, and different types of documents in addition to regular messages.

Snapchat has been downloaded well over 200 million times and is especially popular with a young demographic of people 34 and under, particularly in the United States (US).

Zoom along with a few video conferencing apps, was definitely one of the most successful apps of the past year. In April 2020, Zoom reported over 300 million daily participants and the app featured 38 million downloads in January 2021 alone.

Like WhatsApp and Facebook itself, Facebook Messenger is another heavy hitter and consistent favorite in the app store. 

Keep in mind that certain apps that are growing fast (like Clubhouse) are not on this list because they are only for iPhone users and therefore not as widely downloaded.