Google Rules The iOS App Store, But Facebook Is Biggest On Google Play

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While Google’s Android platform may be the biggest rival to iOS, the search giant is happy to support users who choose Apple’s device. In fact, thanks to apps like YouTube and Google Maps, Google is the App Store’s top publisher, beating Apple on its own turf.

According to the latest market data from App Annie, Google overtook Apple as the App Store’s top publisher back in January, and it held onto the crown throughout February. Meanwhile, Apple dropped down into second place, but it continues to be the App Store’s biggest earner.

Unlike Google, whose apps are all free, many of Apple’s are paid. Things like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iPhoto, and iMovie cost between $9.99 and $4.99.

Interestingly, Google’s most successful iOS apps — YouTube and Google Maps — were both baked into iOS before Apple released iOS 6. Apple replaced Google Maps with its own Maps service and decided to remove the built-in YouTube app altogether. These are now standalone apps that can be downloaded from the App Store.

While Google’s apps are hugely popular on iOS, however, it is not the top publisher on its own Android platform. Instead, Facebook rules Google Play, with just four apps attracting more downloads than the 62 offered by Google. Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram make up three of the top five downloaded Android apps.

The biggest earner on Google Play is GREE, a gaming company that boasts the world’s largest social gaming network, with more than 230 million users. While most GREE apps are free to download, they offer in-app purchases for virtual currency.