by Remember when phones were just for calling and texting? Those days are long gone! Now, our smartphones are like mini-computers in our pockets, and it’s all thanks to apps.
These clever little programs have transformed how we live, work, and play.
But here’s the cool part – some folks have gotten super rich by making these apps.
We’re talking billions of dollars rich! These smart cookies saw opportunities where others didn’t, and they ran with their ideas.
From social media giants to ride-sharing services, from online shopping platforms to cryptocurrency exchanges, these app creators have left their mark on the digital world. And boy, have they been rewarded for it!
Richest App Creators 2024
In this article, we’re going to take a fun trip through the world of app development.
We’ll meet ten of the richest app creators and learn how they struck gold in the digital age.
Their stories are pretty inspiring, and who knows? Maybe they’ll spark an idea for your million-dollar app!
So, are you ready to dive in? Let’s get to know these app-making superstars!
Top 10 Richest App Creators 2024
Let’s learn about ten people who got very rich by making apps for phones.
We’ll see what apps they made, how much money they have, and why their apps are so popular.
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. Binance is the biggest crypto exchange in the world.
- Started in 2017
- Helps people trade Bitcoin and other digital currencies
- Made cryptocurrency easier for many people to use
Why it’s popular: Binance is easy to use and has many types of cryptocurrencies. It’s 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.
- Launched in 2006
- Helps people create their online stores
- Used by both small businesses and big companies
Why it’s popular: Shopify makes it easy for anyone to start selling things online. It’s 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.
- Started in 2009
- Now available in many countries
- Also offers food delivery with Uber Eats
Why it’s popular: Uber made it easier and often cheaper to get a ride than traditional taxis. It’s 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.
- Launched in 2010
- Bought by Facebook (now Meta) for $1 billion in 2012
- Now has over 1 billion users
Why it’s popular: Instagram made it fun and easy to share photos. It added filters to make pictures look better and 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.
- Started in 2014
- Women must send the first message to matches
- Also has features for finding friends and business contacts
Why it’s popular: Bumble gives women more control in online dating. It also 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.
- 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: Grubhub made it easy to order food from many different restaurants all in one app. It 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.
- 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: Summly made it quick and easy to catch up on news, perfect for busy people who wanted 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.
- Started making apps after a car accident in 2009
- Has created over 100 apps
- Wrote books about creating successful apps
Why he’s successful: Mureta saw opportunities in the app market early and 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.
- Started Kiip at age 19
- Offers real-world rewards for in-app actions
- Used by many popular apps and brands
Why it’s innovative: Kiip made ads in apps more fun by giving people rewards instead of just showing them annoying pop-ups.
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.
- 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: Bubble Ball was a fun, challenging game that was free to play. It showed that even young developers could make hit apps.
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.
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.