Remember when phones were just for calling and texting? Those days are long gone! Now, our smartphones can do almost anything, thanks to apps.
These clever little programs have changed how we live, work, and play. And guess what? Some smart folks have become super rich by making these apps!
The richest app creators saw opportunities where others didn’t. They came up with ideas that made our lives easier or more fun.
From photo-sharing to ride-hailing, from online shopping to food delivery, these app makers have left their mark on the digital world.
These richest creators of apps come from all walks of life. Some were tech whizzes, while others just had a great idea and worked hard to make it real.
Their apps have millions of users and have changed whole industries.
Richest App Creators 2024
In this article, we’ll meet the top 10 richest app developers of 2024.
We’ll learn about their apps, how much money they’ve made, and why their ideas took off.
Their stories might spark your million-dollar app idea! So, let’s dive in and see how these clever folks struck gold in the app world.
Top 10 Richest App Creators 2024
1. Changpeng Zhao: The Crypto King
- App: Binance
- Type: Cryptocurrency exchange
- Net Worth: About $15 billion
Changpeng Zhao, often called CZ, made Binance. It’s a place where people can buy and sell digital money called cryptocurrency.
Key Facts:
- Started in 2017
- Biggest crypto exchange in the world
- Helps people trade Bitcoin and other digital currencies
- Made cryptocurrency easier for many people to use
Why it’s popular:
- Easy to use
- There are many types of cryptocurrencies
- Trusted by millions of people around the world
2. Tobi Lütke: The E-commerce Enabler
- App: Shopify
- Type: E-commerce platform
- Net Worth: $3.7 billion
Tobi Lütke created Shopify when he wanted to sell snowboarding equipment online. He couldn’t find a good tool to make an online store, so he made his own.
Key Facts:
- Launched in 2006
- Helps people create their online stores
- Used by both small businesses and big companies
Why it’s popular:
- Makes it easy for anyone to start selling things online
- Simple to use but powerful enough for big businesses
3. Travis Kalanick: The Ride-Share Revolutionary
App: Uber Type: Ride-sharing service Net Worth: $2.8 billion (after selling most of his Uber shares)
Travis Kalanick helped start Uber, which changed how people get around in cities. Uber lets people use their phones to get a ride from nearby drivers.
Key Facts:
- Started in 2009
- Now available in many countries
- Also offers food delivery with Uber Eats
Why it’s popular:
- Easier and often cheaper than traditional taxis
- Convenient and works in many cities around the world
4. Kevin Systrom: The Photo-Sharing Pioneer
- App: Instagram
- Type: Photo and video sharing social network
- Net Worth: $2.4 billion
Kevin Systrom created Instagram with Mike Krieger. It lets people share photos and short videos with friends and followers.
Key Facts:
- Launched in 2010
- Bought by Facebook (now Meta) for $1 billion in 2012
- Now has over 1 billion users
Why it’s popular:
- Made it fun and easy to share photos
- Added filters to make pictures look better
- Became a place for people to show their lives and interests
5. Whitney Wolfe Herd: The Dating App Innovator
- App: Bumble
- Type: Dating app
- Net Worth: $740 million (as of 2021)
Whitney Wolfe Herd created Bumble, a dating app where women make the first move. This was different from other dating apps and made many women feel safer.
Key Facts:
- Started in 2014
- Women must send the first message to matches
- Also has features for finding friends and business contacts
Why it’s popular:
- Gives women more control in online dating
- Tries to create a kinder, more respectful environment for meeting people
6. Matt Maloney: The Food Delivery Pioneer
- App: Grubhub
- Type: Food ordering and delivery service
- Net Worth: $150 million
Matt Maloney co-founded Grubhub, which lets people order food from local restaurants and have it delivered to their homes.
Key Facts:
- Started in 2004
- Became very popular in the early 2010s
- Now part of Just Eat Takeaway, a big food delivery company
Why it’s popular:
- Made it easy to order food from many different restaurants all in one app
- Saves time and gives people more food choices
7. Nick D’Aloisio: The Young Genius
- App: Summly (later sold to Yahoo)
- Type: News summarizer
- Net Worth: Not publicly known, but sold Summly for $30 million at age 17
Nick D’Aloisio created Summly when he was just 15 years old. The app made long news articles shorter and easier to read on phones.
Key Facts:
- Created in 2011
- Sold to Yahoo in 2013 for $30 million
- D’Aloisio became one of the youngest self-made millionaires
Why it was popular:
- Made it quick and easy to catch up on news
- Perfect for busy people who want to stay informed
8. Chad Mureta: The App Empire Builder
- Apps: Various, including Emoji
- Type: Multiple types, including the first Emoji app for iPhone
- Net Worth: Not publicly known, but has built and sold 8 companies
Chad Mureta has created many successful apps, including one of the first Emoji keyboards for iPhones.
Key Facts:
- Started making apps after a car accident in 2009
- Has created over 100 apps
- Wrote books about creating successful apps
Why he’s successful:
- Saw opportunities in the app market early
- Created apps that people wanted to use, like emoji keyboards before they were built into phones
9. Brian Wong: The Mobile Advertising Innovator
- App: Kiip
- Type: Mobile advertising network
- Net Worth: Not publicly known, but raised millions in funding
Brian Wong created Kiip, which rewards people for achievements in mobile games and apps.
Key Facts:
- Started Kiip at age 19
- Offers real-world rewards for in-app actions
- Used by many popular apps and brands
Why it’s innovative:
- Made ads in apps more fun by giving people rewards
- Avoided annoying pop-up ads
10. Robert Nay: The Teen Game Developer
- App: Bubble Ball
- Type: Physics puzzle game
- Net Worth: Not publicly known, but the app had millions of downloads
Robert Nay created Bubble Ball when he was just 14 years old. The game became very popular very quickly.
Key Facts:
- Released in 2010
- Got 2 million downloads in its first two weeks
- Beat Angry Birds is the most downloaded free game on Apple’s App Store
Why it was popular:
- Fun, challenging game
- Free to play
- Showed that even young developers could make hit apps
Comparison Table of App Creators
Here’s a quick look at all ten app creators side by side:
| Name | App | Type | Key Feature | Net Worth (if known) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changpeng Zhao | Binance | Cryptocurrency exchange | Largest crypto exchange | $15 billion |
| Tobi Lütke | Shopify | E-commerce platform | Easy online store creation | $3.7 billion |
| Travis Kalanick | Uber | Ride-sharing | On-demand rides | $2.8 billion |
| Kevin Systrom | Photo sharing | Photo filters and sharing | $2.4 billion | |
| Whitney Wolfe Herd | Bumble | Dating app | Women make the first move | $740 million |
| Matt Maloney | Grubhub | Food delivery | Multi-restaurant ordering | $150 million |
| Nick D’Aloisio | Summly | News summarizer | Quick news digests | Sold for $30 million |
| Chad Mureta | Various | Multiple | First iPhone Emoji app | Not known |
| Brian Wong | Kiip | Mobile advertising | Rewards for achievements | Not known |
| Robert Nay | Bubble Ball | Physics game | Teen-created hit game | Not known |
What An App Developer Can Learn from These App Creators?
These app makers teach us some important lessons:
- Solve a Problem: All these apps fixed a problem or made something easier.
- Be Different: They found new ways to do things like Bumble letting women make the first move.
- Start Young: Some creators, like Nick D’Aloisio and Robert Nay, were teens when they started.
- Keep Trying: Many of these people made several apps before finding big success.
- Think Big: Apps like Uber and Instagram changed how millions of people do things.
The Impact of These Apps
These apps have changed our lives in big ways:
- How We Communicate: Instagram changed how we share photos and stay in touch.
- How We Travel: Uber made it easier to get around cities.
- How We Shop: Shopify lets anyone start an online store easily.
- How We Eat: Grubhub brought food delivery to our fingertips.
- How We Date: Bumble gave a new twist to online dating.
- How We Handle Money: Binance made trading digital money easier.
FAQs About App Creators and the App Industry
- Q: How old do you have to be to create an app?
A: There’s no minimum age to create an app, but you usually need to be 18 to put it on app stores yourself. Younger creators often work with parents or guardians.
- Q: How much money can you make from creating an app?
A: It varies a lot. Some apps make millions, while others make very little. Success depends on many factors including the app’s quality, marketing, and luck.
- Q: Do you need to know how to code to create an app?
A: It helps to know coding, but there are now tools that let you create simple apps without coding. For complex apps, you’ll need programming skills or a team of developers.
- Q: What types of apps make the most money?
A: Games often make the most money, followed by social networking, entertainment, and utility apps. But any type of app can be successful if it meets a need and is well-made.
- Q: How long does it take to create an app?
A: It can take anywhere from a few weeks for a very simple app to several months or even years for complex apps. The average is about 4-6 months for a good-quality app.
More Related Guides:
- How to Become an Android App Developer
- Why Monitoring Your Application is Important
- Top 10 Mobile App Development Companies
Conclusion: The Future of App Creation
The stories of these app creators show us how much the world has changed because of smartphones and apps.
Just a few years ago, many of these jobs and companies didn’t exist. Now, they’re changing how we live, work, and play.
These successful app creators came from different backgrounds and had different ideas.
Some, like Robert Nay, were very young when they started. Others, like Chad Mureta, came to app development later in life.
This shows that anyone with a good idea and hard work can succeed in the app world.
As technology keeps changing, there will be more chances for new app ideas. Things like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and new types of devices will create new opportunities.
The next big app could come from anywhere – maybe even from you!
Remember, though, that making a successful app isn’t just about getting rich. It’s about solving problems and making people’s lives better or more fun.
The most successful apps are ones that people find truly useful or enjoyable.
If you have an idea for an app, don’t be afraid to try making it. You don’t need to be a tech genius or have lots of money to start.
Many of the people on this list started with just an idea and the drive to make it happen. With hard work, learning, and maybe a bit of luck, you could create the next big app that changes the world!
