Apple Announces Top iPhone, iPad Apps of 2013

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By Kurt Wagner2013-12-17 05:30:15 UTC

Finishing the year atop Apple's App Store list has never been more competitive. The company announced in October that the App Store features more than one million apps that have combined for more than 60 billion total app downloads.

So, what does it take to reach the top? Apparently lots and lots of candy.

See also: 20 Apps That Look Great on iOS 7

Candy Crush Saga was a star for iOS users in 2013, taking the top spot as the most downloaded free app on both iPhone and iPad this year. The addicting game was also the top grossing app on both iPhone and iPad, an impressive feat considering the app is free and relies on in-app purchases for revenue.

Candy Crush officially earned its crown Monday when Apple released its annual list of the top downloaded apps. The company does not break out specific download figures, but it did reveal a "Top 10" list for multiple categories, including top paid iPhone and iPad apps. Minecraft - Pocket Edition took the top spot on both devices in the paid app category.

Examining the lists for both devices gives a slightly better picture of how users are engaging with iPhones and iPads. Social media sites, for example, were some of the most downloaded apps on iPhone, but only one, Facebook, even cracked the top 10 on iPad.

Twitter, the company behind the year's most highly anticipated tech IPO, did not appear in the Top 10 on any list. Vine, the video sharing app Twitter unveiled in January, was #4 on the Free iPhone Apps list.

Snapchat, the photo-sharing app that automatically deletes images and videos after a recipient views them, was downloaded more times than Facebook and Instagram.

Based on the lists below, it appears as if iPads are primarily used for game playing — and gambling. Five of the top 10 highest grossing apps on the iPad in 2013 were gambling-related, including DoubleDown Casino, Big Fish Casino, and Slotomania HD; the other five were games.

Last year's most popular free apps for iPhone and iPad — YouTube and Skype for iPad, respectively — were both in the top five again this year.

Here's a look at the apps that kept us glued to our iOS devices in 2013.

Top Free iPhone Apps	Top Free iPad Apps
Candy Crush Saga	Candy Crush Saga
YouTube	YouTube
Temple Run 2	Temple Run 2
Vine	Calculator for iPad Free
Google Maps	Skype for iPad
Snapchat	Netflix
Instagram	Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Facebook	iBooks
Pandora Radio	Facebook
Despicable Me: Minion Rush	The Weather Channel for iPad
Top Paid iPhone Apps	Top Paid iPad Apps
Minecraft - Pocket Edition	Minecraft - Pocket Edition
Heads Up!	Pages
Temple Run: Oz	Temple Run: Oz
Angry Birds Star Wars	Plants vs. Zombies HD
Plague Inc.	Angry Birds Star Wars HD
Afterlight	Notability
Free Music Download Pro - Mp3 Downloader	Angry Birds Star Wars II
Bloons TD 5	iMovie
Sleep Cycle alarm clock	The Room
Plants vs. Zombies	Bad Piggies HD
Top Grossing iPhone Apps	Top Grossing iPad Apps
Candy Crush Saga	Candy Crush Saga
Clash of Clans	Clash of Clans
Pandora Radio	Hay Day
MARVEL War of Heroes	DoubleDown Casino
Hay Day	Big Fish Casino
Big Fish Casino	Modern War
The Simpsons: Tapped Out	Bingo Bash HD - Free Bingo Casino
Modern War	The Simpsons: Tapped Out
Kingdoms of Camelot: Battle for the North	Slotomania HD - FREE Slots
The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth	GSN Casino

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Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Topics: app store (iOS) , apple, apps, Apps and Software, end of 2013, Gaming, iPad, iPhone, Mobile, Tech, top apps 2013