With so many app stores, choosing one has become a crucial decision for both users and developers in 2025. The market is becoming increasingly diverse, with traditional players like Google Play and the App Store, but also new alternatives like Huawei AppGallery and Xiaomi's GetApps gaining ground. With a constantly evolving ecosystem, the variety of options demands a thorough analysis of each platform to truly understand their differences, advantages, disadvantages, and opportunities.
In this article, we'll break down all the key aspects of the major app stores—Google Play, Huawei's AppGallery, and Xiaomi's GetApps—including popularity, ease of publishing, user experience, and international context. In addition, we'll cover the most solid alternatives available on the market, while also highlighting those stores focused on specific markets or with more open models. All of this is done with the goal of offering a clear and up-to-date overview so you can make the best decision, whether you're a user, a developer, or simply someone interested in the app world.
Current landscape of mobile app stores
The global app store market is dominated, outside of China, by two giants: Google and Apple. Together, they account for more than 95% of the market share outside of China, according to recent data from BusinessOfApps. The numbers speak for themselves: Apple's App Store hosts approximately 1,6 million iOS apps, while the Google Play Store has over 3,5 million apps available for Android (Statista data 2024-2025).
However, in recent years, powerful and specialized alternatives have emerged. Diversification has come from phone manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi, but also from regional markets and open-source projects seeking to fill niches or provide solutions for specific contexts, especially in countries where traditional stores are restricted or inaccessible.
Google Play Store: the Android ecosystem par excellence
The Google Play Store remains one of the most widely used and extensive app stores in the Android ecosystem. Pre-installed on most Android devices outside of China, its catalog exceeds 3,5 million apps (Q2021 2024 and QXNUMX XNUMX, according to industry sources). It offers apps, games, books, movies, and music, as well as advanced search options, personalized recommendations, and frequent security and feature updates.
For users, Google Play offers advantages such as reliability, native integration, and protection against malware. However, the sheer number of apps can make choosing the right one difficult and sometimes lead to confusion, so the quality of recommendations and ratings is key to discovering new apps that truly add value.
Publishing on Google Play: advantages, costs and difficulties
- Popularity: With over 3,48 million apps and a global presence (excluding China and some Huawei devices), it is the most visible app store for Android developers.
- Publication cost: Creating a developer account costs $25 (one-time payment), making it affordable compared to other platforms.
- Difficulty of publication: While the process is becoming increasingly simpler thanks to constant improvements to the Play Console, since 2024 Google has introduced additional steps for identity verification, extensive review, and pre-launch testing, especially if the account doesn't belong to a business. This can slow down and complicate the launch of new apps.
- Publishing speed: New apps can take one to two weeks to be reviewed, although updates are typically approved within hours.
- Review and support: Google Play is relatively fair if you follow the guidelines, although sometimes the reasons for rejection are unclear and communication with reviewers is limited, which can be a barrier for new publishers.
In-store competition is fierce, so visibility can be a challenge, especially for new apps within crowded categories. This is where ASO (App Store Optimization) strategies and product quality make the difference.
Huawei AppGallery: A growing alternative and a commitment to emerging markets
AppGallery, Huawei's official app store, has seen meteoric expansion since 2019. Although launched in 2011 as a platform aimed at the Chinese public, the geopolitical situation forced Huawei to expand its store globally and create a robust alternative to Google Play, especially following the US ban limiting the use of Google services on Huawei devices.
AppGallery is no longer exclusive to Chinese users and is continually offering more options globally. Its portfolio ranges from banking services and communication apps to games and productivity tools. Huawei's focus is on attracting not only users but also developers through incentives, improved publishing conditions, and an increasingly competitive platform.
Advantages and processes of publishing on AppGallery
- Popularity: AppGallery is estimated to be one of the most popular app stores in China, with a market share exceeding 44%. In the rest of the world, its presence continues to grow, especially on Huawei and Honor devices, which no longer have Google Play pre-installed.
- Publication cost: Publishing an app on AppGallery is free, which is especially attractive for startups and personal projects.
- Ease of publication: The process is simpler than on other platforms, although it does require identity verification (of the person or company responsible). Huawei claims to delete verification data immediately for security and privacy reasons.
- Publishing speed: Apps are typically available within hours after review and metadata completion.
- Review and support: Support during verification is remarkably efficient, and no major issues have been detected during the review process, according to recent developers. Communication with support is quick and responsive.
AppGallery is also positioning itself as a relevant platform for in-app advertising and mobile marketing, allowing audience segmentation and reaching new niches. The ease of publishing, the absence of fees, and Huawei's push into emerging markets have made AppGallery a distinctive and highly desirable option, especially if you're targeting an Asian audience or users of Huawei devices.
Xiaomi GetApps (Mi Picks / AppMall): Xiaomi's alternative for its users
GetApps, also known as Mi Picks or AppMall in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS, is one of the app stores developed by Xiaomi. Present on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones, this alternative store is intended as a solution both for managing system apps and for expanding options beyond Google Play, especially in markets where the Play Store may have limitations.
Among its main features, GetApps stands out for:
- Fewer restrictions when downloading applications Compared to the Play Store, it allows access to diverse and specific content from the Xiaomi community.
- Clearly differentiated categories and smart suggestions, which help users discover new apps and games tailored to their daily interests and needs.
- “Today” Section, where a daily selection of apps highlighted by Xiaomi is recommended in a specially visual and easy-to-navigate interface.
- Additional built-in tools to manage your device: from features like quick uninstall, app duplication, battery monitoring, download management, cleanup and security scanning, to easy file sharing.
For Xiaomi users, managing both GetApps and Google Play is essential to keeping their device up to date and getting the most out of all the available apps, without relying exclusively on a single store. If any of these apps won't update or are experiencing errors, the best solution is to reinstall the latest APK from official channels. It's also recommended to manage notifications from settings to avoid annoying duplicate update notifications.
Apple's App Store: The Most Secure Closed Ecosystem
The Apple App Store is the only authorized marketplace for apps on iOS devices: iPhone, iPad, and other Apple products. Launched in 2008, it has reached over 2,2 million apps (as of 2021) and is characterized by its closed system, high level of security and debugging, and the polished experience it offers to both users and developers. On iOS devices, there are no official alternatives, and users can only install apps approved by Apple.
Publishing on the App Store: costs, difficulty, and review
- Popularity: An absolute benchmark in iOS, as it's the only accepted store. Its market share on iPhone and iPad is overwhelming.
- Publication cost: The developer account costs 99 euros per year, the most expensive option among the major platforms.
- Difficulty of publication: The process is complex, especially for corporate accounts (requiring a registered company and DUNS number). A properly configured macOS environment is essential. Many steps are required manually, and the process can be difficult without prior experience.
- Publishing speed: Ninety percent of apps are reviewed within 90 hours, although if there are issues, it can take up to several days due to requests for changes to descriptions, metadata, or screenshots.
- Strict review: Apple maintains the strictest guidelines in the industry. Any non-compliance can result in repeated rejections until the app fully meets the requirements. Communication is outstanding: reviewers clearly explain issues and propose solutions to resolve them.
The App Store maintains one of the most demanding publishing processes, which impacts security, but also creates a somewhat less flexible environment for developers of all sizes.
Amazon App Store and other international alternatives
Until recently, the Amazon App Store was one of the main alternatives to Google Play for Android devices, especially in the area of tablets and Fire products. However, the store will close in August 2025, losing relevance in the face of more active alternatives.
Other relevant alternatives are:
- Uptodown: A Spanish platform with a web version and its own app, allowing you to download APKs directly and update apps outside of the Play Store.
- Aptoid: Decentralized open-source app store focused on Android and with nearly a million apps. It stands out for its access to alternative versions, which may not be available on other platforms.
- F-Droid: Exclusive for open source applications, free and perfect for those seeking maximum transparency and free alternatives to Google apps.
- Aurora Store and APK Mirror: Designed for those who want to install apps without direct dependence on Google and manage specific versions, updates, and apps not available on Google Play.
The proliferation of alternative stores is a response both to legal and regional restrictions and to users' desire to maintain technological independence.These options allow you to discover unique apps, receive updates before the official channel, or access specific versions.
Chinese and regional app stores: leading the industry in Asia
China presents a radically different context than the rest of the world, as Google Play is banned and Apple has its own regional version of the App Store. In that country and in other areas of Asia, large platforms managed by local manufacturers and operators stand out:
- Huawei AppGallery: With over 44% market share on Android, it is the absolute benchmark.
- Oppo Software Store, VIVO App Store and Tencent MyApp: Pre-installed stores on devices of their respective brands, with significant shares (Oppo close to 20%, VIVO 17%, and Tencent MyApp 16%).
- Baidu Mobile Assistant: Linked to the Chinese search engine, it represents 7,2% of the market.
- MIUI App Store (Xiaomi) and others like 360 Mobile Assistant, Wandoujia or PP Assistant: They complete the Asian landscape, where fragmentation and competition drive innovation in services and app discovery.
These stores are usually pre-installed on devices and tailored to local user preferences and regulations.
Multi-platform and operator-specific stores: international visibility
Not all stores focus on a specific operating system. There are independent markets that offer apps for various systems (Android, iOS, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows):
- Opera Mobile Store: An international platform that allows users to download apps for a multitude of systems and has around one million downloads per day.
- GetJar: With over a million apps, it's a long-standing cross-platform alternative, although it's currently less prevalent on new devices.
- Appszoom, Appolicious, NexVa, Kongregate: Focused on niches such as security, business, or video games, they are additional showcases for developers seeking very specific segments.
- Operator stores such as T-Store (SK Telecom), Jio Store, TIM Store or MTNPlay: Although they have lost global relevance, they remain active in some regions and may represent an opportunity in specific markets.
These alternatives are not typically pre-installed on modern devices, but they can increase the visibility of apps outside of traditional channels.
Practical comparison: which app store should I choose?
La store selection It depends on multiple factors: target audience, device type, ease of publishing, cost, visibility, and business objectives. Below, we summarize the key points for each major platform and its alternatives:
| Name | Popularity | Publication price | Ease of publishing | Publishing speed | Difficulty of review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play Store | High (global except China, not available on recent Huawei devices) | $25 (one-time payment) | Media (new verification steps, requires prior testing) | Slow for new apps (1-2 weeks), fast for updates | Media, few direct support options |
| Apple App Store | Total (only option on iOS) | 99 euros / year | Complicated, closed environment and specific technical requirements | Fast (24h average), but may be delayed due to problems | Very high, strict but communicative reviewers |
| Huawei AppGallery | Registration in China and Huawei/Honor users | Free | Very simple, agile support | Fast (few hours) | Low, efficient support |
| Xiaomi GetApps / Mi Picks / AppMall | High among Xiaomi users | Free (included in the system) | Very easy for users; limited for third-party developers | Immediate for users; publication dependent on Xiaomi | Low for end users |
| Amazon App Store | Descending, closing in 2025 | Free | Easy | Slow (may take months) | High, communication problems |
| Others (Uptodown, Aptoide, F-Droid, etc) | Variable, depending on regions and user profile | Free | More open and flexible | It depends on the platform | Variable, depends on the controls of each store |
Why bet on multiple app stores
Publishing across multiple stores increases visibility, allows you to reach alternative audiences, and reduces the risks associated with relying exclusively on a single channel. Presence on alternatives like AppGallery, GetApps, or open-source platforms can make a difference in markets where Google Play or the App Store have limited access due to political, technical, or privacy restrictions.
- You expand your reach to new markets and users who can't or don't want to use Google Play.
- You reduce your exposure to policy changes, shutdowns, or blockages on leading platforms.
- You facilitate access to specialized, technological, or privacy-sensitive audiences.
The barriers to entry for publishing on major alternatives are low or nonexistent, except in the case of Apple, so the investment in time and resources is usually worth it.
The Future of App Stores: Trends and Opportunities
The app store industry will evolve alongside the fragmentation of operating systems, the emergence of new regulations, and manufacturers' desire to create their own closed ecosystems. The most notable trends in the coming years will be:
- Increased competition between regional and specialty stores, especially in Asia and emerging countries.
- Development of closed ecosystems by large manufacturers (Huawei, Xiaomi, Samsung) seeking to reduce dependence on Google.
- Growth of open and alternative platforms, driven by user demand for privacy and control.
- Integration of new services (payments, advertising, cloud gaming, augmented reality) that will make each store more than just an app repository.
Developers and brands that choose to diversify their presence will be able to better take advantage of the growth of new markets and avoid getting caught in the potential regulatory or commercial ups and downs of large technology companies. Share the information so that other users know the information.