Temu Named #1 App in US for 2024
Chinese shopping app Temu has reclaimed its spot as the most downloaded free app in the U.S., according to Apple's year-end rankings released Monday. This marks Temu’s continued dominance after taking the top position in 2023, pushing TikTok, which held the crown in 2022, down to No. 3.
In a notable shift, Meta's Instagram Threads surged to No. 2, rising from its third-place ranking last year. Meanwhile, TikTok's drop comes as it faces increased scrutiny and threats of a U.S. ban.
The Rise of AI and ChatGPT
A standout on this year’s list is ChatGPT, which secured the No. 4 spot. This marks a major leap, as the app didn’t make the top 10 in 2023 after launching on iOS in May. Its ranking above Google Search (No. 5) signals a growing adoption of AI tools among U.S. users.
Interestingly, while ChatGPT performed well in downloads, Apple largely ignored AI chatbots in its editorial picks. Instead, the title of App of the Year went to the professional video editing app Kino, a creative tool by the makers of Halide.
Meta and Google Apps See Mixed Results
Meta’s suite of apps maintained a presence but showed declines in rankings:
- Instagram and WhatsApp placed at No. 6 and No. 7.
- Facebook dropped to No. 13.
Other notable mentions include CapCut (TikTok's sibling app), YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, and fellow Chinese retailer Shein.
Top 20 U.S. Apps of 2024
- Temu
- Threads
- TikTok
- ChatGPT
- Google Search
- CapCut
- YouTube
- Gmail
- Google Maps
- Shein
- Telegram
- Snapchat
- Cash App
- Spotify
- Max
- McDonald’s
- Amazon
The Competitive Arena
Apple's annual list highlights key trends in consumer behavior:
- E-commerce dominance: Apps like Temu and Shein continue to thrive.
- AI on the rise: ChatGPT’s rapid adoption reflects increasing interest in AI-powered tools.
- Meta's mixed success: Threads performed strongly, but Facebook's ranking continues to slide.
As app ecosystems evolve, competition for the top spots remains fierce, with Chinese tech companies, AI innovations, and social media giants battling for user attention.
