YouTube
YouTube generates an estimated $45M–$150M/month in revenue from 17M–72M downloads/month on the App Store, according to AppCurrents estimates (updated 2026-09-08).
| Est. revenue / month | $45M–$150M |
|---|---|
| Est. downloads / month | 17M–72M |
| Estimate confidence | low |
| Pricing | Free + IAP |
| Rating | 4.67 ★ (48,859,623 ratings) |
| Category | Photo & Video |
| Best chart rank | #1 Photo & Video Grossing |
| Released | 11.09.2012 |
| App last updated | 30.08.2026 |
| Platform | iOS |
Modeled monthly estimate · rating velocity · low confidence
About
Get the official YouTube app on iPhones and iPads. See what the world is watching -- from the hottest music videos to what’s popular in gaming, fashion, beauty, news, learning and more. Subscribe to channels you love, create content of your own, share with friends, and watch on any device. Watch and subscribe ● Browse personal recommendations on Home ● See the latest from your favorite channels i…
Our take on YouTube
YouTube is Google's free video platform with in-app purchases and subscription options, ranking #1 in Photo & Video grossing on the US App Store.
- Dominates the category: ranked #1 Photo & Video grossing in the US with a 4.67 rating from 47.6M reviews
- Established reach: charting in 12 countries with an estimated 18M–73M monthly downloads
- Strong recurring revenue: YouTube Premium at $20.99/mo and Movies & Shows at $3.99 drive an estimated $33M–133M monthly revenue
- User reviews surface frustration with search redundancy and slow performance despite good connection quality
- Subscription pricing at $20.99/mo is significantly higher than competitive video platforms
Trends & analysis
Chart rank trend
US · overallWhy it's surfacing
Scout 48Ratings & velocity
★ 0 in windowRating distribution
92% positive · 48M ratingsGeographic reach
best rank · 12 storefrontsRevenue & downloads trend
ARPU $2In-app purchases
7 tiersUpdate history
12+ updates tracked- v21.36.61d ago
Bug fixes, stability improvements, repairs to space-time continuum.
- v21.35.39d ago
We fixed the tubes that bring you videos – and some bugs too.
- v21.34.314d ago
Bug fixes, performance improvements, and more cat videos.
- v21.33.617d ago
Fixed bugs, improved performance, explored the edges of the known universe.
- v21.33.520d ago
Fixed bugs, improved performance, explored the edges of the known universe.
YouTube — FAQ
How much money does YouTube make?
According to AppCurrents estimates, YouTube generates approximately $45M–$150M per month (low confidence), modeled from its the App Store chart performance, rating velocity, and monetization signals.
How many downloads does YouTube get?
YouTube sees an estimated 17M–72M downloads per month on the App Store, per AppCurrents modeling.
Is YouTube free?
YouTube is free to download on the App Store, monetizing through in-app purchases.
What is YouTube's rating?
YouTube holds a 4.67-star average from 48,859,623 ratings on the App Store. It currently ranks #1 on the Photo & Video grossing chart.
When was YouTube released?
YouTube launched on the App Store on 11.09.2012. Its latest version shipped 30.08.2026.
How does YouTube's monetization actually work?
YouTube Premium costs $20.99/mo and appears as the primary IAP tier (listed 5 times in the app's offerings), while Movies & Shows can be purchased separately at $3.99. These subscriptions drive an estimated $33M–133M in monthly revenue.
What does YouTube's #1 ranking in US grossing mean?
YouTube holds the #1 position in Photo & Video grossing on the US App Store, indicating it generates more in-app revenue than any other app in that category in that region.
How long has YouTube been on the App Store?
YouTube launched on September 11, 2012, making it one of the oldest established video apps on the platform at over 13 years.
