Social media used to be limited to a small number of websites. But as time has gone on, a plethora of specialized and niche social media platforms have emerged, offering users additional options. App stores on mobile devices operate similarly.

Customers and developers of apps are no longer restricted to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. There are a ton of other choices and alternative app stores, and because they are smaller than the Big Two, apps are much easier to find on these platforms.

You should pay attention to mobile app stores that cater to particular markets, industries, and niches if you want your app to be more widely downloaded and visible. Regardless of the app's purpose, you want users to engage with your brand and use it.

Regrettably, over the past few years, a number of mobile app stores have closed, confusing customers and brands alike. For this reason, we require an updated list of mobile app stores so that you are aware of where to find customers in 2024.

iOS vs. Android

As you can see, most of the mobile app stores on our list below cater only to Android smartphones. The disparity between iOS and Android can be attributed to several factors.

To start with, the market share of Android is slightly higher than 54%. Additionally, it's a much more open platform that can be found installed on gadgets like Google Pixel Motorola phones and Samsung and LG devices. Furthermore, some users may find the other app stores more alluring than Google Play because of the latter's limitations and restrictions.


Cydia is an online mobile app store made exclusively for iOS devices that have been jailbroken, making it one of the exceptions. However, we'll talk more about that below.

Listings and App Submission

The submission and marketplace listing processes for each of the mobile app stores we're going to introduce to you differ. Certain apps are more limited than others, and some are specialized in highly particular app categories, like games.

Read the submission guidelines thoroughly before submitting your app to an app store or online marketplace. By collaborating with a skilled developer, you can make sure that your app satisfies requirements and can successfully compete with similar apps.

The Complete List of Mobile App Stores

Let's look at our list of mobile app stores now that those specifics are out of the way. We'll start with the two largest stores for your mobile app, Google Play and the Apple App Store, before looking at the smaller, but no less effective, alternatives.

The Google Play Store

One of the first mobile app stores was the Google Play Store, which offers movies and other content in addition to apps. It was founded in 2008 and focuses only on the Android market. There are 2.6 million apps on the platform.

Although customers can easily find apps in the Google Play Store thanks to its powerful search engine, brands occasionally discover that their apps are buried in the results. This is not to say that you shouldn't list your app here; in fact, you should—but you should also look into other mobile app stores tailored to Android users.

Apple App Store

The Apple App Store is frequently the first stop for iOS users looking for incredible new apps. As per Lifewire, there are 2.1 million apps available in the Apple App Store; however, it should be noted that the quantity includes apps created especially for products like Apple Watch and TV.

Developing your app with both iOS and Android users in mind maximizes its potential for discovery. But, there are almost 5 million other apps in these mobile app stores, so you might want to think about listing your app somewhere else.