Best-Selling Paid iPhone Apps (October 2026)

Q: How can I see other apps from these paid app publishers?

You can click on the developer name on any app detail page, or browse the top developers in our App Store Publishers directory to find their complete catalog.

Conventional wisdom says nobody pays up front for apps anymore. Apple's top-paid chart says otherwise. Compiled from public App Store data and updated daily, this report ranks the best-selling paid iOS apps in the US. These 100 apps charge before download — averaging $5.68 — and still outsell everything else.

For indie developers, this chart is the clearest signal of what users will pay for without a free trial: Minecraft: Play with Friends! ($6.99), Shadowrocket ($2.99), Heads Up! ($1.99) lead today's list.

App Store data as of October 14, 2026 · refreshed dailyApp Store

How are paid apps ranked on the App Store?

Paid App Store rankings are calculated using a rolling formula of paid download volume and velocity. Unlike the top-grossing chart, which measures absolute revenue, the top-paid chart ranks apps solely on how many times they are purchased up front.

Because users must pay before downloading, these apps generally experience lower download volumes than free apps, but they benefit from higher user commitment and average revenue per user. Indie developers often analyze this list to identify high-value niches where users are willing to pay upfront. To see how these developers attract organic traffic, explore their search terms with our App Store Keyword Tool or browse similar offerings in our Apps Directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular paid apps on iOS?

Historically, Minecraft, creative tools like Procreate Pocket, and utility apps dominate the top-paid iOS charts. These apps offer substantial value upfront, avoiding aggressive paywalls or ads.

Do top paid apps also monetize with subscriptions?

While some paid apps are single-purchase forever, many modern paid apps combine a low upfront cost with optional in-app purchases or subscriptions for premium features. However, their position on this specific chart is determined purely by the upfront purchase volume.

How often do paid App Store rankings update?

Apple updates its paid charts throughout the day. Appstro captures these shifts daily to display the most accurate representation of commercial success for paid applications.

Is the top paid list different from the top grossing list?

Yes. The top paid list ranks apps by the count of paid downloads, whereas the top grossing list ranks apps by the total revenue generated from all sources (including free apps with in-app purchases).

How can I see other apps from these paid app publishers?

You can click on the developer's name on any app detail page, or browse the top developers in our App Store Publishers directory to find their complete catalog.

Methodology

Ranking comes from Apple's public top-paid iPhone chart for the US App Store, refreshed daily. These apps charge an up-front price rather than relying on subscriptions.

How we measure this

Work on your own app's ranking

Every list on this page is built from public App Store data — the same source behind the App Store keyword research tool, which expands Apple's own autocomplete and scores each term by how hard the live search results look to break into. It sits alongside all 76 free App Store optimization tools here: keyword tracking, listing and screenshot teardowns, localization audits and the rest.

Minecraft: Play with Friends!

Shadowrocket

Heads Up!

Geometry Dash

HotSchedules

Vampire Crawlers

Plague Inc.

Bloons TD 6

Sifu

Red's First Flight

AnkiMobile Flashcards

Stardew Valley

MONOPOLY: The Board Game

Five Nights at Freddy's

Balatro

Terraria

Procreate Pocket

Papa's Freezeria To Go!

Earthquake Network

CloverPit

Five Nights at Freddy's 2

TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome

Kingdom Rush 6: Genesis TD

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Incredibox

Slots & Daggers

Slay the Spire

Dome Keeper

Pou

Five Nights at Freddy's 4

2AM CAM

Paprika Recipe Manager 3

Farming Simulator 26 Mobile

After Inc.

Rebel Inc.

Earn to Die 2

Auday - All-Day Watch Recorder

SkyView®

Scritchy Scratchy

The Past Within

Monash FODMAP Diet

Bloons TD 5

Five Nights at Freddy's 3

Streaks

Lowriders Comeback: Boulevard

play_music_theory

QuickBend: Conduit Bending

FL Studio Mobile

MilGPS

Papa's Pizzeria To Go!

RadarScope

Papa's Sushiria To Go!

Papa's Burgeria To Go!

Five Nights at Freddy's: SL

How Many Dudes?

Arcadia - Watch Games

Tenuto

Mini Metro

Ticket to Ride®

Jump Desktop (RDP, VNC, Fluid)

Papa's Wingeria To Go!

Papers, Please

Papa's Cupcakeria To Go!

Goblin Tools

Papa's Scooperia To Go!

The Game of Life 2

Ultimate Custom Night

Papa's Pancakeria To Go!

True Skate

PeakFinder

AutoSleep: Watch Sleep Tracker

Fashion Mall Story

Where's My Water?

TABS Pocket Edition

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C

Papa's Mocharia To Go!

FNaF 6: Pizzeria Simulator

Gambonanza

Solocator - GPS Field Camera

Threema. The Secure Messenger