This week, we’re focusing on paid applications. By providing some analysis of paid applications, we hope to answer some common support questions and give developers a sense of how their application’s performance compares to the ‘typical’ paid application. For more information, contact Pinch Media at www.pinchmedia.com or e-mail support@pinchmedia.com.

1. “PaidApplications” Adapted from Presentation by Greg Yardley at 360|iDev

2. Paid apps drive revenue We think paid apps have been about ~610MM of the two billion AppStore downloads so far, and have generated ~$900MM in revenue for developers in 15 months. They make up 77% of the AppStore, and they’re purchased by over 50% of iPhone / iPod Touch owners. Photo Credit:flickr-AMagill

3. The mythical typical paid app If your paid app was exactly average, it’d have: ~9,300 downloads (vs. average free app downloads: ~71,000) ~$12,100 revenue (net to developer: ~$8,500) But no app is average! The AppStore is so top-heavy, you’ll either do dramatically better or – more likely – much much worse.

4. Top-heavy distribution

5. Downloads not linked to price Note: Adjusting the price of an app raises or lowers sales predictably – you can’t sell more copies with a price increase!

6. Paid apps are used more than free apps