Korean startup HyperConnect’s video-chatting app Azar has once again made it to the list of Europe’s topmost favoured apps and ranked 6th in revenue generation in 2020. According to data released by the mobile app market research company Sensor Tower regarding the European mobile market, Azar is the only Korean app to have featured in the list.
The app was ranked 6th among all non-gaming apps in 2020, after Tinder, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Google One. Azar was also ranked 4th on Google Play Store. In 2019, Azar had made it to Europe’s 4th top revenue earning app after Tinder, Netflix, and YouTube!
European mobile consumers spent an estimated $14.8 billion across the App Store and Google Play during 2020, as per Sensor Tower Store Intelligence data. This represented a 31 percent year-over-year increase in gross revenue from 2019, based on user spending for in-app purchases, subscriptions, and premium apps. Such large growth was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, as Europe became an epicenter for the outbreak. European spending accounted for 13.3 percent of global mobile app revenue in 2020, which reached $111 billion.
In times of pandemic lockdowns and stay at home orders, Azar gained much popularity among Gen Z and Millenials. Azar allows users to chat casually with people of similar interests on the other side of the globe by simply swiping the screen with their fingers in a safe and enjoyable environment. With Azar, people can make friends from all over the world and experience the feeling of going on a trip from the safety and comfort of your own home. The app’s easy to launch interface has helped it gain many followers.
Azar has also been able to provide easy streaming performance for P2P communication through its video-call technology system. Hyperconnect was the world’s first company to commercialize “WebRTC” technology in a mobile environment, first launching Azar in 2014, “Hakuna Live” in 2019, and social discovery dating app “SLIDE” in 2020.
Talking to media HyperConnect official said, “Azar is provided in 230 countries and 19 languages around the world, and international users account for 99% of its user base. The app is loved by people all over the world. This was made possible by the unique tech that provides people with the joy of ‘super connection,’ and, as such, we will continue to focus on the development of ‘innovative technology.’”
In 2021, Hyperconnect has entered the North American market with ‘SLIDE,’ a video-first dating and social discovery app. Hyperconnect, which has trumpet SoftBank amongst its investors, subsequently launched a live-streaming service dubbed Hakuna Live that had over 10 million downloads in its first year. Combined, revenue during the first half of 2020 came in at 123.5 billion Korean won (US$113.3 million), up 80% year-over-year, while operating profit vaulted 265% to 17.7 billion Korean won (US$16.2 million).
Check out some more interesting Korean apps,
- Korean startup Backpackr Inc.’s idus app for shoppers who love everything handmade
- Korean startup Croquis’ ZigZag App winning over Gen Z fashion shoppers
- Korean startup YCONS Lab Ltd.’s ‘Yammi’ reservation app helps students save time at meal-hours
- Korean startup DamoGO’s app helps reduce food waste by selling ‘unsold’ food from restaurants, stores & farms
