Despite being fewer than 25 years old, digital software marketplaces known as application stores, or app stores as they are commonly known, have become some of the largest software sales platforms in the world. In 2021, first-time app installs grew to 143.6 billion with consumer in-app spending growing to $133 billion. These figures are only expected to continue to grow.
App stores act like a filter for software products by setting security, privacy, financial, and performance standards. Developers must adhere to these standards if they want to sell their software through an app store. This ensures compatibility with devices and protects
