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Gen Z or Generation Z is known as the first generation to be the true digital natives as they are unfamiliar with the world without the internet. Gen Zers depend on mobile devices and the internet for almost everything, including communication, social media, entertainment, and shopping. This generation is seen subscribing to streaming platforms rather than buying films or music. Also, they prefer video as a format for online content. A survey in 2022 stated that over 54% of Gen Zers spend at least four hours daily on social media platforms.
It is concerning how much this generation is engulfed in the internet and other social media. They are labeled as the ‘mobile-first generation’ as they favor entertaining content and cannot think of a day not spending on devices or using the internet. Are you curious about what kind of platforms Gen Zers are most interested in and spend the majority of their time on? This article will answer those questions by discussing the top apps Gen Zers downloaded, the time spent on them, and much more. So, keep reading.
Top Apps Gen Z Downloaded in 2024
It is impossible to get a complete picture of the current state of the app market among Gen Zers due to privacy and regulatory restrictions and other issues. This article will discuss data from those aged between 18 and 24. However, there is no permission to collect data from users under the age of age, so here is a glimpse of apps that Gen Zers prefer:
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E-commerce
In e-commerce, here are some of the popular apps downloaded in 2024 by Gen Z:
Temu
According to many reports, Temu happens to be one of the most popular apps Gen Zers downloaded in 2024. Temu is an e-commerce platform that is a leading marketplace for purchasing goods with over 41.98 million new downloads between January and October.
It offers affordable products and gamification strategies and provides several rewards and coupons. Its strategy is based on low prices and providing a wide variety of products. This is very effective among young adults.
Shein
Apart from Temu, Shein is another e-commerce platform that Gen Zers use the most. Shein was the rival of Temu, with over 14.68 million new downloads during the same period as Temu.
Social Media
Social media apps seem to be dominating the interests of Gen Zers. Some of the popular apps include:
TikTok
TikTok is the second most popular app among Gen Zers that is a short-form video platform that has over 33.23 million new downloads in 2024. This app has kept the younger generation hooked with its simple yet attractive content.
Snapchat
Another popular app downloaded by Gen Z is Snapchat that has over 19.16 million downloads in 2024. Gen Z is hooked on Snapchat because it lets us share memories, use filters, and document on the go. This app is a popular trend among teenagers because it is relevant, gamifies the social media experience, and its ‘stories’ feature.
Telegram
Over 13.12 million Gen Zers have downloaded Telegram. This app has been a popular messaging app among Gen Z as it focuses on privacy and diverse communication features. Also, it is high quality, ensures secure messaging, and meets the communication needs of young adults.
Pinterest has around 8.23 million downloads in 2024. This app has gained much popularity in 2024 among Gen Z because of its creative inspiration, non-explicit content, internet aesthetics, collage-making, future planning, planning tools, and more. This app also addresses social issues and aids one in planning.
Around 8.06 million young adults have downloaded Reddit in 2024. This is because Reddit allows users to create their own community pages and have discussions on popular topics and interests
X
X, formerly known as Twitter is downloaded by 7.58 million young adults in 2024. This app has allowed users to share features with other popular platforms like Facebook. Google+, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Since Gen Z values convenience, creativity, and meaningful digital engagement, X has been quite popular among them as young adults were able to share their thoughts.
Meta
Meta apps have occupied a large part of interest among Gen Zers. Social and messaging platforms seem to be quite popular among young adults, which is why Meta apps have a significant presence in the popularity list of Gen Z in 2024. Over 32.32 million new downloads are there for Threads between January and October.
Video and streaming platforms
Apart from e-commerce and social media platforms, video and streaming platforms are the next popular niches. Some of the dominating apps include:
YouTube
YouTube is still going strong with its hold in the market. It has over 14.03 million new downloads from Gen Z in 2024. Even though it is no match for TikTok, YouTube has still shown significant engagement from the younger crowd.
Short drama apps
Young adults seem to show interest in short drama apps as of lately. ShortMax is one of the most popular and dominant apps has around 10 million downloads in 2024. This short drama app consists of over 1000 short films in a variety of genres including drama, romance, and mystery.
Photo and video editing
Sharing photos and videos online with friends, loved ones, and the public is a trend that young adults are obsessed with. This is the reason why many download photo and video editing apps to make photos and videos look professional and pleasing. Some of the popular apps include:
CapCut
CapCut is a video editing app that has over 21.72 million new downloads. Gen Z finds this app quite useful because of its accessibility and compatibility. CapCut’s editing features and simplicity is what make this app so popular among young adults.
ByteDance
ByteDance is another editing app popular among Gen Zers in 2024. It is the company behind TikTok and this app is popular because it is engaging, easily digestible, and allows for creative expression.
Lemon8
Lemon8 is an app from ByteDance that is more like an Instagram copycat. It has over 7.7 million new downloads in 2024. This app stands at the top list because it combines the visually appealing aesthetic of Instagram with lifestyle inspiration and ideas from Pinterest. This app also helps share informative content like fashion, beauty, food, and travel.
Streaming services
Streaming services are quite popular among Gen Z and some of the most downloaded apps include:
Netflix
Netflix stands out as one of the most popular streaming platforms among Gen Z in 2024 with over 15.67 million new downloads. This app is popular because it goes perfectly with the media consumption habits of Gen Z. It offers a wide variety of content and allows users to watch whatever they want regardless of time on their preferred devices.
AI and educational tools
AI has become an integral part of our lives, especially for Gen Zers. Some of the educational AI tools they use include:
ChatGPT
AI cannot be left out from the top list of popular apps used by Gen Zers as the ChatGPT app has over 24.63 million new downloads. This is because ChatGPT has gained popularity as a ‘study assistant’. It helps young adults with their career guidance and acts as an education-support tool.
Gauth
Gauth is another popular AI education tool that acts as a stuffy companion with over 8.39 million new downloads in 2024. This tool can help interpret and solve in different fields including physics, maths, chemistry, biology, and more. Even though this app is new and was launched in 2021, it has gained immense popularity lately.
Financial platforms
Just like all other apps, financial platforms are equally popular among Gen Zers.
PayPal
Payment apps are essential even for young adults. One of the dominant financial platforms in 2024 is Paypal with around 13.92 million new downloads. This app is one of the most downloaded because of its ease of use, wide acceptance by merchants, and the ability to integrate with social shopping trends.
Venmo
Venmo is another app that is popular among Gen Z that has over 7.8 million downloads in 2024. This finance app has features that help split bills with friends easily, send money, share transactions publicly, and more.
Cash App
Just behind Venmo is the Cash App, which has 6.9 million new downloads in 2024. Gen Z prefers this app because it is easy to use, integrates with social media, uses effective marketing strategies, and supports family programs.
Music apps
Streaming services are not limited to video or movie streaming. Music apps also seem to be dominating the top apps downloaded by Gen Z. One of the popular music apps include:
Spotify
As for music platforms, Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming apps with 10.4 million new downloads in 2024. Gen Z uses this platform to build and strengthen personal connections as it helps engage with culture through music and podcasts. Spotify is popular because it has deep cultural exploration, accessibility and convenience, personalized curation, social aspects, podcast access, and more.
Other platforms
Google apps seem to be dominating the popularity list, be it entertainment, cloud storage, or education. It has over 17.65 million new downloads in 2024 for the apps like Chrome, Meet, Drive, and Photos with 10.19 million, 9.63 million, 7.22 million, and 6.79 million new downloads, respectively. This is mostly the case for iOS devices as many of these apps come pre-installed on Android devices.
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Conclusion
The app preference of Gen Z in 2024 shows their growing interest in various platforms. They are a generation shaped by digital consumption trends, businesses, and other niches. Temu, an online marketplace that offers nearly every product at heavily discounted rates, is the most popular app downloaded in 2024 by over 41.98 million Gen Zers. The second most popular app among Gen Z is TikTok, a short-form video platform with 33.23 million new downloads in 2024.
The Gen Zers are not only hooked to shopping and video apps but also show interest in Meta apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger with 28.42 million, 26.29 million, 20.58 million, and 17.63 million downloads in 2024. Music platforms and photo and video apps seem to dominate the top lists. Also, AI educational tools cannot be avoided. Most young adults rely on AI educational tools as study assistants.
Gen Zers are more into entertainment and engaging platforms, which is why Temu, TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, ShortMax, NetFlix, and Meta apps are so popular. This generation is also into photo and video editing apps, AI tools, and financial platforms. Since AI has become an important part of our lives, Gen Zers use the ChatGPT, which has over 24.63 million new downloads. As for photo and video editing, CapCut and ByteDance are the popular ones with over 21.72 million new downloads.
Just like all other apps, financial platforms are equally popular among Gen Zers. The commonly downloaded financial apps include PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App with 13.92 million, 7.8 million, and 6.9 million new downloads in 2024, respectively. The interests and preferences of Gen Zers are changing vividly, which paves the way for the growth of apps in each sector.
