Which niches pay, who leads them, and where new apps are winning
Every page runs on the Appaloma catalog: 50,000 apps over $5k a month, filed by hand into 4,000 named niches. Numbers carry the catalog date and refresh with it.
What is rising
How to pick
- App ideas for solo developers in 2026: 20 niches where one-app developers already clear $20k a monthTwenty named App Store niches where developers with a single app sit in the $20k+ bands, no publisher holds more than two apps, and newcomers already hold a share of the reviews. Counts, leaders, prices and the angle in each.Sep 20, 2026
- Pick a niche. There are thousands, and Apple's 24 categories are not themWhy every "profitable app niches" list fails a builder, what a niche actually is, and how to read one in five minutes before you write code.Sep 20, 2026
- How accurate are app revenue estimates from Sensor Tower, AppMagic and AppfiguresThey model the same public signals and only Apple knows the number. The vendors in their own words, where estimates work and where they break, why Appaloma publishes bands, and what a niche map adds that no scrape produces.Sep 18, 2026
Tools compared
- Affordable Sensor Tower alternatives in 2026: what Sensor Tower costs and what $9.99 to $99 a month buys insteadSensor Tower publishes no price and buyers report a median $75k a year. Seven tools cover the pieces an indie developer needs for $9.99 to $99 a month, checked on each vendor's pricing page in September 2026.Sep 20, 2026
- App intelligence tools for indie developers in 2026, by the job you need doneSix jobs an indie developer actually hires a tool for, the best tool for each under $100 a month, and what the enterprise tools cost when you outgrow them.Sep 20, 2026
- App niche research tools in 2026: what finds a space to enter and what only sizes the one you already pickedNine tools scored on one test, whether they name a niche at all: one holds 4,000+ named niches with a revenue band each, the rest rank categories, score keywords or plot a trend, and each has its use once the niche is chosenSep 20, 2026
- Free app research tools in 2026: what each free tier gives away and the exact line where it starts chargingEleven free tools for app research with the limit on each free tier checked on the vendor's page, the one that names a niche for any idea you type, and the first paid price when the free tier runs outSep 20, 2026
- AppMagic alternatives (2026): what changed when Sensor Tower bought it, and what to use for each jobAppMagic became Sensor Tower's small-business tier in May 2026 and its prices are quote-only. The tool to use instead for niche research, keyword tracking, your own numbers, competitor estimates and review replies, with entry prices.Sep 18, 2026
- Sensor Tower alternatives for indie developers (2026)Seven tools that do part of Sensor Tower's job for less, what each one is actually for, and when Sensor Tower is still the right buy.Sep 18, 2026
Niche deep dives
- Antique identifier apps in 2026: 38 apps, 25 of them new, and the newcomers hold 87% of the nicheThe most open camera niche in collecting. Who leads, why an app from October 2025 already sits in the $250k+ band, what everyone charges, and the two complaints in the one star reviews.Sep 18, 2026
- AI Bible chat apps in 2026: 16 apps, a leader at 356,000 ratings, a newcomer at 55,000 in a yearConversational Bible apps are three years old and already have three apps with six-figure ratings. Who leads, what the weekly and yearly prices look like, why a 2025 launch broke in, and the complaint that recurs across the top five.Sep 18, 2026
- AI companion apps in 2026: 177 apps, 79 of them new, five over $50k a monthWho leads AI character and companion chat, what the coin packs and memberships cost, why the memory-first companions are the ones climbing, and the complaint an August 2026 age check put in nine of twelve leaders.Sep 18, 2026
- AI English tutor apps in 2026: 39 apps, 16 over $20k a month, and one angle in all 39 listingsLearna leads with 351,476 ratings at $250k+, 10 of 14 leaders sell a yearly plan from $24.99 to $179.99, 14 new apps hold 11% of the review pace, and "free trial" draws 7 one star mentions in three appsSep 18, 2026
- AI room redesign apps in 2026: 81 apps, one publisher at 156,000 ratings, and a weekly price nobody forgivesPhoto the room, get it restyled. Who leads the AI interior design niche, what the weekly plans cost, why 40 new apps in 18 months still hold a quarter of it, and the complaint all twelve leaders share.Sep 18, 2026
- AI workout planner apps in 2026: 84 apps, 22 over $20k a month, and two apps from 2015 holding both $250k+ spotsFitbod and Gymverse launched in 2015 and hold the only $250k+ bands, 10 of 14 leaders charge $6.99 to $24.99 a month, 28 new apps hold 8% of the pace, and the free trial draws 37 one star mentionsSep 18, 2026
- AI song generator apps in 2026: 105 apps, 29 over $20k a month, 99 of them with the same pitchWho leads AI song generators two years in, what the two $250k+ apps charge, why 29 new apps hold only 8% of the niche, and the voice-recording complaint that runs through eight of twelve leaders.Sep 18, 2026
- AI sports coaching apps in 2026: 33 apps, 19 of them new, and the 2018 pioneer has not shipped an update in four yearsPoint the phone at the athlete and get coached. Who leads the camera-coaching niche, why three apps launched since December 2025 already have revenue bands, what parents and coaches pay, and the complaint every app shares.Sep 18, 2026
- AI closet stylist apps in 2026: 19 apps, six in the bands, and a 2025 launch outpacing a 13-year incumbentPhotograph your closet, get outfits from it. Who leads the AI stylist niche, what they charge, why the newest app collects more ratings a month than the rest combined, and the complaint nine of twelve leaders share once the wardrobe is uploaded.Sep 18, 2026
- Translator apps in 2026: 67 apps, 21 over $20k a month, and Google Translate named 56 times in the one star reviewsiTranslate and Translate Now hold $250k+ on weekly plans from $9.99 to $14.99, 13 new apps hold 2% of the review pace, and Google Translate comes up 56 times in one star reviews across eight leadersSep 18, 2026
- AI video generation apps in 2026: 233 apps, 72 over $20k a month, and a subscription that still needs creditsEleven AI video apps sit at $250k+, nine of 14 leaders charge $1.19 to $19.99 a week, 12 of 14 sell credits on top, and the free trial draws 20 one star mentions in five appsSep 18, 2026
- Mission alarm clock apps in 2026: 25 apps, a ten-year incumbent, and three 2026 launches already over $10k a monthWho leads the mission alarm niche, what the 2026 wave charges, why 17 new apps hold 71% of the niche's review pace, and the one star review that every alarm app fears.Sep 18, 2026
- AI chatbot apps in 2026: 134 all-in-one assistants, six over $250k a month, five of them launched in the first quarter of 2023Who leads the ChatGPT wrapper niche three years in, what the six $250k+ apps charge, why 17 new apps hold 7% of the niche, and why no pitch beyond the model list runs in more than three apps.Sep 18, 2026
- Homework AI apps in 2026: 78 apps, 17 over $20k a month, and 62 one star mentions of wrong answersFour homework AIs sit at $250k+, 12 of 14 leaders sell a weekly plan from $2.99 to $12.99, eight new apps hold under 1% of the review pace, and wrong answers draw 62 one star mentions in six appsSep 18, 2026
- AR drawing apps in 2026: 52 tracing apps, 11 over $20k a month, and a November 2025 launch at $250k+ArtEasy and a ten month old ARtie Lab hold $250k+, 10 of 14 leaders charge $2.99 to $24.99 a week, 13 new apps hold 8% of the review pace, and the free trial draws 40 one star mentions in eightSep 18, 2026
- Audio drama and romance audio apps in 2026: 15 apps, two over $250k a month, and only three launches in 18 monthsA small niche with proven prices and few new entrants. Who leads, what Dipsea, Quinn, and Pocket FM charge, why only three apps launched in 18 months, and what a new one would have to sell.Sep 18, 2026
- Pray-to-unlock apps in 2026: 12 apps, ten of them under 18 months old, one already over $50k a monthWho leads the prayer lock niche, what they charge, why one April 2025 launch owns it, and the one star review that only a faith app can get.Sep 18, 2026
- Bible verse widget apps in 2026: 18 apps, one at 101,000 ratings in 15 months, and newcomers holding 86% of the paceA small niche with a runaway leader. Who makes the daily verse widgets, what they charge, why 12 of 18 apps launched in the last 18 months, and the two complaints that recur across the top twelve.Sep 18, 2026
- Coin identifier apps in 2026: 69 apps, two over $250k a month, one with three times the ratings of the nextWho leads coin identification, what the two top apps charge, why 30 new apps in 18 months hold only 7% of the niche, and the one complaint that appears in all twelve leaders' one star reviews.Sep 18, 2026
- Dating apps in 2026: 135 apps, 76 over $20k a month, and not one leader selling a yearly planFourteen dating apps hold $250k+, 11 charge $9.99 to $99.99 a month and none sells a yearly plan, five new apps hold 0% of the pace, and paying to see who liked you draws 34 one star mentionsSep 18, 2026
- Invoice maker apps in 2026: 61 apps, 11 over $20k a month, and a paid plan that caps you at three invoicesTwo invoice makers hold $250k+, 13 of 14 leaders charge $3.49 to $24.99 a month, 13 new apps hold 3% of the review pace, and monthly invoice caps draw 21 one star mentions in two appsSep 18, 2026
- GLP-1 tracker apps in 2026: 45 apps, two over $20k a month, review pace at 2.1xWho leads the GLP-1 shot tracker niche, what the leaders charge, why an app launched in April 2025 already matches the incumbent, and the two complaints in every leader's one star reviews.Sep 18, 2026
- Heart rate monitor apps in 2026: 93 camera pulse apps, 24 over $20k a month, and one complaint in all twelve leadersWho leads camera heart rate monitors, what the three $250k+ apps charge, why 26 new apps hold 18% of the niche, and the blood pressure complaint that appears 378 times across every leading app.Sep 18, 2026
- Looksmaxxing apps in 2026: 115 apps, 69 launched in 18 months, and one number sells all of themFace scores, height predictors, jawline trainers and glow-up plans. Who leads the looksmaxxing niche, what they charge, why the 2023 face raters went dormant and still collect ratings, the trial complaint in eleven of twelve leaders, and the pay-to-see complaint in eight.Sep 18, 2026
- Phone cleaner apps in 2026: 195 apps, 41 over $20k a month, and a free trial that costs more than the plain weekFive phone cleaners sit at $250k+, 12 of 14 leaders sell a weekly plan from $1.99 to $13.99, 65 new apps hold 8% of the review pace, and the free trial draws 82 one star mentions in nine appsSep 18, 2026
- Peptide and TRT tracker apps in 2026: 32 apps, 29 of them new, and the niche is heating upA niche that barely existed in 2024 now has 32 apps, eight with researched revenue, and review pace growing 1.6x. Who leads, what they charge, and the paywall mistake most of them share.Sep 18, 2026
- Pet translator apps in 2026: 86 apps, ten with researched bands, and one complaint in eleven of twelve leadersDog and cat translators are a decade old and still pay. Who leads, what the price shapes look like, why 26 new apps in 18 months hold 27% of the niche, and the review every leader shares.Sep 18, 2026
- Plant identifier apps in 2026: 70 apps, two publishers at the top, and five one-app developers in the $50–250k bandWho leads plant identification and care, what the leaders charge, why five single-app developers sit in the $50–250k band under two publishers, and the free-scan complaint that runs 209 times through eleven of twelve leaders.Sep 18, 2026
- Photo-scan calorie counters in 2026: 138 apps, 61 of them new, and one complaint runs through all of them138 apps take a photo of your plate and return calories. Who leads, what they charge, why 61 new apps in 18 months still only hold 15% of the niche, and what the one star reviews say every leader gets wrong.Sep 18, 2026
- Photo vault apps in 2026: 72 apps, 9 over $20k a month, and one launch in 18 monthsPrivate Photo Vault - Pic Safe has led since February 2011, six of 14 leaders charge by the month from $0.99, one app launched in 18 months at 0% of the pace, and "years ago" draws 8 one star mentionsSep 18, 2026
- Block and sort puzzle games in 2026: 185 apps, 92 over $20k a month, and 98 launches holding 63% of the review paceBlock Blast！ leads on 2,652,051 ratings, nine of 14 leaders charge $2.99 to $9.99 to remove the ads, 98 new apps carry 63% of the review pace, and ad volume draws 71 one star mentions in sixSep 18, 2026
- Recipe saver apps in 2026: 21 apps, one with ten times the ratings of the rest, and imports that still failApps that save a recipe off TikTok and Instagram. Who owns the niche, what the twelve new entrants charge, and why the one star reviews of eight of the twelve leaders say the import came back blank.Sep 18, 2026
- Romance and werewolf serial apps in 2026: 67 apps, 35 over $20k a month, and 1,000 coins at $9.99 in eight of the 14 leadersGoodNovel leads on 219,602 ratings, 13 of 14 leaders sell chapters by the coin at $9.99 per 1,000, seven new apps hold 8% of the pace, and the chapter paywall draws 32 one star mentions in sixSep 18, 2026
- Screen time blocker apps in 2026: 117 apps, six over $20k a month, and newcomers hold 69% of the nicheWho leads screen time blocking, what they charge, why the 2025 launches took the niche from the 2020 incumbents, and the complaint that runs through all twelve leaders.Sep 18, 2026
- Imposter word party games in 2026: 39 apps, 32 of them new, and one at 84,000 ratings in 15 monthsOne secret word, one player who does not have it. Who leads the imposter party game niche, why apps launched in the last 18 months hold 97% of it, what they charge, and why the one star reviews are almost empty.Sep 18, 2026
- Senior fitness apps in 2026: 79 apps, 44 of them new, and one complaint in eight of the twelve leadersChair yoga, tai chi, and workouts for over 50s. Who leads, why one publisher holds five of the top twelve, what they charge, and the "free" problem in almost every leader's one star reviews.Sep 18, 2026
- AI skincare scanner apps in 2026: 25 apps, 18 of them new, and the leader is 16 months oldSelfie in, skin score and routine out. Who leads the AI skincare niche, what they charge, why 18 apps launched in 18 months hold 77% of the niche's pace, and what a new one has to do that Thea and Skan do not.Sep 18, 2026
- Solitaire cash tournament apps in 2026: 56 apps, 20 over $20k a month, and a January launch already at $250k+Eight of the 14 solitaire cash leaders hold $250k+, three sell coin packs from $5 to $100, 12 new apps hold 11% of the review pace, and the deposit draws 8 one star mentions in four leadersSep 18, 2026
- Trading card scanner apps in 2026: 100 apps, four over $50k a month, two of them launched in late 2025Who leads the card scanner niche, what they charge, why two apps launched in late 2025 already sit in the top band, and the three complaints every one of them shares.Sep 18, 2026
- Short drama apps in 2026: 16 apps, two over $250k a month, and every complaint is about coinsThe vertical micro-drama niche under the giants: who leads, what a coin pack buys, why two apps with a dozen ratings sit in the top band, and the pricing complaint that runs through the reviews.Sep 18, 2026
- Trend effect apps in 2026: 61 apps, 21 over $20k a month, and a $250k+ app with 105 ratingsThree trend effect apps sit at $250k+, nine of 14 leaders sell a weekly plan and eight keep it at $12.99 or less, 29 new apps hold 17% of the review pace, and the free trial draws 22 one star mentionsSep 18, 2026
- Workout tracker apps in 2026: 96 apps, 18 over $20k a month, and not one weekly plan in the top 14Ten workout loggers hold $50–250k while the four most rated sit at $20–50k, seven of 14 charge $0.99 to $12.99 a month, 17 new apps hold 19% of the pace, and crashes lead the one star pileSep 18, 2026