87% of Game Devs Depend on Google and Apple's Ecosystem

A recent survey has revealed a growing crisis in the mobile gaming world. A staggering 84% of developers believe the industry can't sustain itself under the current dominance of Google and Apple. The report from Aptoide highlights a major paradox: while 87% of developers rely on the two tech giants for most of their revenue, the vast majority feel the ecosystem is fundamentally broken.

The findings, which polled 300 senior gaming professionals, showed that 67% of developers admitted they worry about their dependence on these platforms. Their biggest complaints are financial, with high platform fees (51%) and soaring marketing costs (46%) leading the charge. 

Game Devs Feel the Strain due to Google and Apple stores

This developer frustration is mounting against the backdrop of a booming global mobile gaming market, which is projected to be worth over $126 billion in 2025. Industry leaders are echoing this sentiment, arguing that the current model stifles creativity and growth. The core problem is that developers must give up a significant slice of their earnings just to get their games in front of players.

“The mobile game ecosystem is overdue for a reset," said Paulo Trezentos, CEO and co-founder of Aptoide. "For too long, an entrenched duopoly has stifled commercial and creative potential, setting too many rules and taking too much revenue. Our findings confirm that developers are ready to reclaim control."

Despite the challenges, developers are looking for a way out and are optimistic about the future. The report shows a growing interest in alternative app stores, with a hopeful 73% of developers expecting double-digit revenue growth by using them. 

While Google and Apple hold a near-total monopoly on the market, several alternative app stores have gained significant traction. The Samsung Galaxy Store, pre-installed on all Samsung devices, is a major player. The Huawei AppGallery has grown substantially, particularly after being excluded from Google services, and now boasts a large user base in Asia and Europe. 

Other notable platforms include the Amazon Appstore, available on Fire devices. While their individual market shares remain small compared to the duopoly, their collective growth represents a tangible alternative for developers.

This signals a potential power shift in the world of mobile gaming, as 74% of developers believe alternative stores will become a key part of their distribution strategy within the next five years. Underscoring this industry-wide momentum, a U.S. court recently rejected Google's bid to delay a major overhaul of its Play Store policies, forcing changes to the very ecosystem developers are contesting.