Apple just revealed the most-downloaded app of 2016

The top spot should come as no surprise to those who have been paying attention.
 By 
Karissa Bell
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Apple just revealed the most downloaded apps of 2016 and the top spot should come as little surprise to those who have been paying attention: Snapchat.

As if we needed more proof that Evan Spiegel's app was having its best year ever, Snapchat beat out Facebook, Instagram and Pokémon Go to be the most-downloaded free app in the App Store in 2016, according to Apple.

Though much of the list will come as little surprise as Facebook, Instagram, Google Maps and YouTube regularly land the top spots in the App Store, the order may be less expected. Facebook's much-maligned app, Messenger (which currently has an average App Store rating of just three stars) landed the second spot, while the summer's massive hit Pokémon Go came in at number three.

Snapchat also made the list last year but was only ranked #5 (Trivia Crack, which made #1 in 2015, didn't even make the top 10 this year.)

Here's the full list, according to Apple.

  1. Snapchat

  2. Messenger 

  3. Pokémon GO

  4. Instagram

  5. Facebook

  6. YouTube

  7. Google Maps

  8. Pandora

  9. Netflix

  10. Spotify Music

Over on the paid charts, the apps are a lot more varied, with Heads Up! grabbing the top spot (for the second year in a row) and Face Swap Live and Minecraft: Pocket Edition right behind.

Apple also announced its editorial picks for best apps of the year. Photo app Prisma landed best iPhone app of the year while Clash Royale was named best iPhone game.

You can take a look at all of the apps that made Apple's top lists on iTunes.

Topics Apple

Mashable Image
Karissa Bell

Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.

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