Buying an App - A Guide to Acquiring Mobile Apps
The mobile app market is booming – this concise guide shows you how to get a piece of the action.
Welcome to the wild world of mobile app acquisition!
Your no-fluff guide to spotting hidden gems, closing deals, and scaling mobile apps like a pro.
If you’re here, chances are you’re either looking to buy your first app or adding to your digital empire. Either way, buckle up. We’re diving into everything you need to know about buying a mobile app – from market insights to nailing the negotiation.
Whether you’re a side hustler or a seasoned Indiemaker, this guide will arm you with the knowledge to make savvy decisions and turn that app into a money-making machine.
Understanding the Mobile App Market
Market Overview
The app market is massive – and growing fast. The Global revenue is projected to reach $613 billion by 2025, up 55% from current levels (source). This means there is plenty of opportunity. With millions of apps and billions in downloads, it’s a thriving space for smart buyers.
Types of Apps
Align your app choice with your skills, network, or business goals.
- Utility Apps: Calculators, weather apps
- Games: Massive growth, but competitive
- Productivity Tools: Evernote, habit trackers, etc.
- Other Niches: Health, fitness, education, AR/VR
💡 Tip: Developer? Go with dev tools or games. Marketer? Try content, productivity, social media or lifestyle apps.
Market Trends
🔥 Popular Categories
Keep on top of trends. Always be on the lookout for what's hot and what's not. Buying at the end of trend could be smart of you want to bolt on to your existing business.
- Current winners: Gaming, business, and education
- Fast movers: AI tools, wellness, mindfulness, financial literacy
- Watch out: What’s hot now may fade fast
Example: Pokémon GO made AR apps hot. Now? AI and ML apps are leading the charge.
📡 Emerging Technologies
Watch out for tech shifts. As tech evolves, so does an app's potential. Apps incorporating these technologies have increasing monetization potential.
- AI & ML
- AR/VR
- Blockchain
Market Analysis Tools
📊 App Store Analytics
App store analytics let you peek behind the curtain at app performance metrics - downloads, user engagement and revenue. Here are the analytics tools:
Example: You find an app on Indiemaker with high user engagement but low downloads. Using data.ai, you discover the app has great retention rates and positive user reviews. This insight tells you the app has potential and needs better marketing.
📚 Market Research Reports
The following reports offer comprehensive insights and industry analysis.
Identifying Potential Apps for Purchase
🔍 Finding Apps for Sale
There are two good ways to find apps for sale - online marketplaces and private sales.
🛒 Online Marketplaces
Marketplaces offer loads of listings and plenty of variety. Marketplaces specialise in certain niches and offer valuable services that facilitate the safey of the transaction and the transfer of assets.
Example: A buyer scored a utility app with a loyal user base from Indiemaker, improved the UI, and doubled users in six months.
🕵️♂️ Private Sales
Sometimes, the best deals are off the beaten path. Join niche forums, lurk in relevant social media groups, or reach out directly to app owners. You might stumble upon hidden gems. Think of it like finding a vintage treasure at a flea market.
Look in Slack groups, Reddit communities, and dev Discords. Always use Escrow.com and document handovers.
🧪 Evaluating App Quality
⭐ User Reviews
App Store ratings can tell you quite a lot. Look for (1) high star ratings (2) bug and crash complaints (3) consistency over time.
Example: An app with consistent complaints about crashing probably needs major work – or it’s just a dud. On the flip side, an app with a solid 4.5-star rating and glowing reviews about its usability is likely a safer bet.
⚙️ Technical Analysis
Use tools like App Store Analytics to investigate the details. Some questions to ask:
- Built on up-to-date tech?
- What's the performance?
- Any third-party service dependencies?
- Review repo activity (e.g. GitHub)
Example: You discover an app with great features but notice it’s built on outdated technology. Updating it might require a costly overhaul - something to consider. But if you’re a developer, it could be a good buy if everything else is in place.
💸 Business Model
An app’s revenue model is its lifeblood. Ads, subscriptions, in-app purchases – know how the app makes money and whether that model is sustainable and scalable. Subscription models often offer the best long-term ROI.
- Ads
- Subscriptions
- In-app purchases
Example: An app relying solely on ads might struggle if ad rates drop. Conversely, an app with a solid subscription model can provide steady, recurring income.
Due Diligence
💼 Financial Records
Ask for:
- Monthly revenue/expenses
- Profit margins
- Payment processor access (Stripe, PayPal)
Example: You review an app’s financials and notice a steady increase in revenue but also see rising costs. Dig deeper to understand if those costs are temporary or a sign of ongoing issues.
⚖️ Legal and Compliance
Ensure the app is legally compliant. No one wants to buy a lawsuit.
- IP ownership
- User data compliance (GDPR, CCPA)
- App store policy violations
Example: Avoid apps with unlicensed or scraped content, or undisclosed partnerships.
Negotiating the Purchase
💰 Setting the Price
Compare app sales to gauge a fair price. Marketplaces have archives of past sales – use them.
Example: If a similar app sold for $20,000 and the one you’re eyeing has slightly better metrics, you might be looking at a price around $25,000.
Use:
- Revenue multiples
- Market traction
- Future potential
🧠 Negotiation Strategies
- Counteroffer (always)
- Be willing to walk
- Know when to bring in advisors or third party mediators.
- Consider seller-financing in larger deals
Example: Seller wants $50k? Offer $35k. Land at $42,500 with post-sale support included.
TIP: On Indie, you can cc us into the process to help in the negotiation.
🧾 Contract Terms
Asset Sale Agreement
An Asset Sales Agreement clearly defines what you’re buying, sets the terms of the sale, and protects both parties from potential disputes down the line. This document ensures that all aspects of the transaction, from the transfer of intellectual property to the responsibilities of each party, are meticulously detailed and agreed upon. An asset sale agreement is crucial when purchasing a mobile app because without it, you risk ambiguity and potential legal headaches, which can derail your new venture before it even begins. Think of it as your safety net – ensuring a smooth, transparent, and fair ownership transition.
Detail:
- All IP
- Codebase & data
- Transfer schedule
- Liabilities & warranties
Tip: Include clawbacks or conditions for false claims.
Escrow Services
Escrow services act as a safety net for both parties, ensuring the money and app change hands smoothly. Use Escrow.com or Indiemaker Escrow + Transfer Support
We offer full handover facilitation even if your deal came from another platform.
✋ Need help? Talk to us — we support both buyers and sellers.
Post-Purchase Steps
🔧 Integration and Testing
Once you own the app, ensure it integrates with your existing systems and that everything is setup and working correctly. Get real users to test the app before you go live. They’ll catch issues you might miss and provide valuable feedback.
- Sync app with your CRM, analytics, and push tools
- Run QA on all OS versions
- Onboard your team (if applicable)
Example: Your new app should integrate with tools like Mixpanel, Firebase, or HelpScout.
📣 Marketing and Promotion
App Store Optimization (ASO)
Make your app shine in the crowded app store. Keywords, descriptions, visuals – every detail matters for visibility.
- Use App Radar or Keyword Tool
- Update your listing visuals and keywords
- Localize if you have international traffic
Example: Use keyword research tools to find the best terms to include in your app description, and make sure your screenshots and icons are top-notch to attract clicks.
Launch Campaigns
Launch targeted marketing campaigns. Use social media ads, influencer partnerships, and email marketing to get the word out and drive downloads.
- Social media
- Influencer partnerships
- Email and affiliate promos
Example: Work with niche YouTubers to demo your app in exchange for affiliate rev share.
🔄 Ongoing Support and Maintenance
🤝 Customer Support
Set up a solid support system. Happy users are loyal users, and good support can turn issues into opportunities for connection.
🔁 Regular Updates
Keep your app fresh and secure with regular updates. Bug fixes, new features, security patches – continuous improvement is key to longevity.
- Bug fixes
- Security patches
- User-requested features
Set a biweekly or monthly update cycle.
Conclusion
Buying a mobile app isn’t just a transaction – it’s a launchpad.
Do it right, and you’ll turn a simple acquisition into a profit-generating engine.
Stay sharp, do the homework, and don’t skip the boring steps. You’re not just buying an app. You’re buying a business.
📚 Additional Resources
Books:
- App Empire – Chad Mureta
- The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Industry Reports:
🚀 Want more tactical guides like this?
Get vetted listings, buyer breakdowns, and indie growth strategies every Friday.