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Sure, there are plenty of fantastic free apps available in the iTunes App Store but what if you want to spend a whole lot of money on apps? Which apps will drain your bank account the quickest?
These ultra expensive apps perform useful and fun functions, but whether their utility justifies their purchase price is for you to decide:
I have only tried one of these apps, The Professional Chef by Inkling, which was provided to me by the developer for review. You can read my review of that app in Inkling: The Future of Textbooks.
The most expensive app I’ve ever purchased was SlingPlayer for $29.99 (now $14.99), which allows me to watch shows on my iPhone that are streamed from my TV via a Slingbox. See, TV Fan? This Sling Is for You!
I Am Rich
The most you can spend on an app in iTunes is $999, the price of the app I Am Rich released in 2008, shortly after the iTunes App Store opened. That app, which should have been named “I Am Stupid,” performed a single function: displaying a glowing red light you could show to your friends to try to convince them how rich/stupid you were.
Apple soon removed I Am Rich from iTunes but not before eight people actually spent $999 on the app. See, L.A. Times, Apple removes $1,000 featureless iPhone application
If you’re an Android owner and like the I Am Rich app but don’t want to spend money, you can download a free app that’s a copy of the original I Am Rich App:
I Am Rich on Android
Note that there is no guarantee whether people will believe that you are rich when you show them your free I Am Rich app. But with the money you save by getting the free Android app instead of buying the iPhone app, you could buy both an Android and an iPhone!
Your Thoughts
What is the most expensive app you’ve ever purchased? What is the most money you would be willing to spend on an app? Do you have any of the 16 most expensive iPhone apps? Do you want any of them? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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* Dollar photo (edited) courtesy of 401(K) 2012
** I Am Rich iTunes App listing photo courtesy of Rubin Starset
This is so amusing! And informative, too, learning about how the app market works (do they actually make money off these high priced apps?). The waterglobe sounds pathetic.
The most expensive app I’ve purchased is iDraw. At $8.99, it was a well-worth the price. I’ve used it, my daughter has, too, and I let a designer friend who had never used an iPad play with it for an hour.
Hi Leora, The Water Globe app actually has 2074 ratings in the iTunes App Store. It’s only rated three stars *** which really makes me shake my head why anyone would actually pay that kind of money for a snow globe app!
You’re right, we have become very spoiled by apps that are free or $0.99, but I’m willing to pay money for a quality app. Just not $999. Well, who knows? If I found an app that would do something amazing like clean my house every day, I might be willing to pay that. 😕
Hi Carolyn,
Its surprising to note here that some apps actually cost close to one thousand USD. This roughly equates to the cost of buying a mini HP laptop.
I’m impressed with the mobile cam viewer apps, and will try to get it.
Thanks for sharing
Hello Dare, Excellent point. For $999 you could buy a nice computer. Mobile Cam Viewer has 17 ratings in the iTunes App Store and is rated 4 1/2 stars. I haven’t tried it myself but I would be very interested in your thoughts if you get it!
Hi Carolyn,
I have people call me and try to sell me computer software to help me invest I tell them how well I’m doing without their software, but they don’t give up! I’m having a good year without wasting money! I have one that is up 8% today, it was 12% at lunchtime, but I think the profit taking has set in this afternoon. I use a pen and paper for most accounts too, it’s quicker! Computers are good for some things, but not everything. 🙂
Hi Mike, That’s great you’re doing so well in the market. After reading this article you no longer have to worry about what to do with all of the extra money you’ve earned. Now you can spend all of your extra pounds on these apps! Pressure’s off now. 😉
Haha… With the cost of VIP black iOS app, i can buy iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c releasing on 10th September. I think its essential to have an iPhone to use these apps. 😛
Hi Maddy, Excellent point. Yes, that is a very expensive app. But if you want the service it provides, then perhaps the price seems like a bargain? 😉
iOS apps are really expensive eh. I own an iOS device and sometimes I wonder if I can get a similar app that is for free.
Hi Manny, Not all iOS apps are expensive and you’re exactly right, it’s worth looking to see if you can get a similar app for free. Some apps are “freemium”, meaning the app itself is free, but the developer charges for added features or services.
I’m thinking the theory behind these apps is that they will be worth a lot to someone who values their features.
Hi Carolyne,
First of all, I was not believing that there may be any iphone apps which are too heavy for our pockets. One of my friend told me about this, but i was considering it as a joke. But after reading your article, I came to know about these expensive applications. I am wondering which people will buy these applications? I really appreciate your research work and efforts utilized in creating this informative article.
Hi Todd, I’m glad you enjoyed this article. Yes, these apps are for real. You can check them out in the iTunes App Store. People will buy them if they have the money and value the apps enough to justify the price. But the market has to be limited for these apps, I would think!
Apple’s product like the IOS Apps are expensive ..people who can afford to buy them will get them people who can’t afford to get them will try their cheaper or free alternatives .There are some interesting applications in this list ,but i don’t think that they deserve such a high price .Anyways , Thanks for sharing this infographic Carolyn .
-Pramod
Hi Pramod, Lol, not all iOS apps are expensive, but these sure are. I agree, I probably wouldn’t pay $999 for an app but that’s because none of those apps appeal to me.
Many of the apps in the iTunes App Store are free or $0.99 so we get very spoiled at paying so little for apps. These apps are the extreme in the other direction!
Wow!
Okay…VIP black at that price? Phew! That’s crazy.
The best part is Barca vs Madrid. Play in full HD? Oh wow…I mean seriously??!
Sadly I sold my Iphone 4S if not I would try them out (just seeing not buying!)
Anyway, thanks for sharing this. These are really expensive apps for rich people 🙁
Hi Reginald, Yes, these prices do seem crazy. But these apps seem to appeal to at least some people. Sorry you sold your iPhone 4S. Perhaps you want to get the new iPhone that’s coming out soon just to grab these apps? 😉
Wow! I can’t believe some of these prices. I wonder if it is simply a marketing ploy i.e. they will then provide a heavy discount for a promotional period but in essence the discounted rate is still expensive – its just perceived as cheap.
Hi Lauren, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Good question. You could watch to see if any of these apps go on sale. If they go on sale significantly, then people who have already bought the app for full price might get upset. You’re right, if the $999 app goes on sale for $899, is that a bargain?
No doubt Apple is the brand to be with for any of its service, whether it is Mac, iOS or Apple TV, all are the best in its respective field. Most of the iPhone/iPad apps are paid & people generally don’t mind paying for them as all the iOS apps are worth their money. I Haven’t heard of any of these apps before as I am using an Android device and don’t have any idea whether Android have any alternative for them. I like everything about Apple’s product barring a thing that they are not offering their iOS services to some other smartphone manufacturer which is stopping it from being a globally accepted brand. Thanks for sharing the post Carolyn.
Hi Raj, Yes, Apple is a premium brand, but many of its apps are free or cost very little. These apps are quite expensive, but they’re not developed by Apple. Apple does sell apps in the iTunes App Store, such as Pages, but that’s $10, not $999. 🙂
Thanks for this great post! The Infographic is very nice. I don`t own an iphone, but I see my brother is always on his phone. I didn`t knew that some apps are so expensive. I sould ask he how much he has already spended for them hehe 🙂
Hi Maya, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. Yes, you should ask your brother if he has any of these apps. You could also see if he wants to get any of these. He might be very glad you introduced him to these! :-bd
Hello Carolyn,
First let me say, what a nice and lovely infograph. I am sure that this apps are indeed beautiful and worth the penny. I do not use the iphone product because here in this part, android is i use 🙂 .
I have purchased a game (race illegal) for my android once and i’ll say, that is the only app i have bought with my money. Thanks for dropping such a lovely infograph… do have a lovely week start 🙂
Hi Babanature, Yes, if an app is very useful or fun, it may be worth paying money for it. How much money really depends on your budget and how much you value the app.
I’m so glad you like the infographic, Babanature. It’s the first one I’ve used here at The Wonder of Tech and it seems to be a hit! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us.
but they all are so costly other than any android phone.. i like your tips but all are expensive..
Hi Mike, Good point! Some of these apps are more expensive than Android phones or iPhones.
I can’t believe that people actually buy these apps Carolyn! Oh my goodness.
Now I know from Benny when he created his first one that it cost him a good bit and even selling it at just $0.99 he not only made back what he put into it but a hefty profit as well. But at that price I can see why more people would easily give up their hard earned cash over $1,000.
Ouch!
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Excellent point. Developers may be able to earn more from a $0.99 app than a $999 dollar app if they sell to a larger audience. When your audience is very limited, perhaps you do need to charge more to earn back your costs. Benny’s apps are great so it’s wonderful to hear that he has been successful with them! :-bd
Hey Carolyn, So glad to be here on your great blog 🙂
This is really good and I’m seriously in love with this infographic and do I mention the fact that it was really well structured. Great job!
Well, I don’t use Iphone neither do I use Android, I use BlackBerry. So I don’t need it but imma keep this for future sake, who knows, Someone might just bless me with an Ipad, Iphone or even Android…when that happens, I will just check them to see which one will fit in into my necessities…Ya know.
Thanks for the share Carolyn – and have yourself a fulfilled Monday 🙂
Sam
Hi Sam, So great to see you here at The Wonder of Tech! If you do end up getting an iPhone, perhaps you should start with some less expensive apps and work your way up. There are plenty of fantastic apps you can get for little or no money.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts here, Sam. 🙂
app.Cash – $999.99
Architactile Inception – $499.99
Spray – $299.99
BarMax CA – $999.99
The Alchemist SMS – $399.99
are some of the other costliest apps.
Hi Nikhil, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, those are very expensive apps too. Have you tried any of those? Perhaps you could create an infographic of the costliest iPad apps!
The Barca vs Madrid app caught my eye as I am an avid Barcelona supporter. The one that really stuck out to me was the snowglobe app. That price for a virtual snowglobe is incomprehensible really.
Hi Frank, So I guess you’re not getting the Snow Globe app? 😉 Amazingly, plenty of people have. I’m wondering if they really use the app.
Hi Carolyn,
Really nice sharing. after your this post i come to know about the most expensive apps. before this i don’t know about Such expensive apps really exist in the app market.
Hi Gautams, Yes, it’s difficult to believe, but all of these apps are for real. Even if you don’t get them, it’s still interesting to see what’s available!
I can’t believe those apps could be that expensive when in fact some of them are totally useless especially that “I am Rich” app. It is just so ridiculous to have that app just to brag that you are rich.
Hi Jeremy, I have to agree, that I Am Rich app was a bit silly. If you have to buy an app to show that to people and impress them, then there must be another way to spend the money more wisely.
Hi Carolyn,
This is my first visit to your valuable blog and i am obliged to read your blog posts that are really wonders for the technology.
Its amazing how people find there way to get in touch with the new technology for free. But sometimes one has to pay the amount just for the well being. The Apps you mention are no doubt costly for some but they surely have some additional features as well.
I like the Ignition app for my android the most. As i have downloaded it too. But finding it hard to operate. Have to give time to learn it more quickly.
Thanks for mentioning important and useful apps like BizjetMobile and Crestron Mobile Pro.
Hi Jon, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you found this site and are enjoying it. You’re right, there are plenty of low cost and free apps but sometimes you are willing to pay for apps that deliver value to you. That’s great you found apps you like here, Jon, and that you already own the Ignition app. I hope you figure out how to use it, Jon! You’re right, often it takes time to learn more complex apps.
The “I am rich application” is such a smart idea. Create an app that does basically nothing, charge $999.99 for it and get a bunch of people to buy it just so they can show off. I wish I came up with that idea 🙂
Yes, Johan, it was a bonanza for the developer…until it got pulled from the App Store.
I cant believe those apps can cost that much amount of money. No wonder i guess. Iapps are so costly.
Hi Devik, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! It’s true, these apps are that expensive. The good news is that many apps are free or nearly free! 🙂