Why I’m more excited than ever by the future of subscription apps

Over the past five years, the app industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, particularly among subscription apps, despite challenges such as pandemics and privacy changes. The emergence of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI is significantly transforming consumer apps, suggesting that while some believe the mobile era is waning, AI is actually reinvigorating it. A new report, "State of Subscription Apps 2024," provides an in-depth analysis of current trends, revealing that only 1.7% of downloads convert to paying subscribers within 30 days, with the top 5% of apps generating significantly more revenue than their lower-performing counterparts. The report also highlights issues such as a 14% drop in monthly subscriber retention and significant disparities in Lifetime Value (LTV) between North America and other regions, indicating both challenges and opportunities for growth. The findings are discussed in a podcast and an upcoming roundtable, aimed at providing actionable insights for those in the subscription app industry.