ASO guides 12.07.2026 · 4 min read

How to See Where a Competitor App is Popular Using App Store Ratings

How to See Where a Competitor App is Popular Using App Store Ratings

Understanding where a competitor app is popular can provide valuable insights for your own app's strategy. By examining App Store ratings by country, you can quickly identify the markets where a competitor app has gained traction. This method serves as a proxy for accumulated downloads, offering a glimpse into the app's reach without delving into more complex analytics.

Let's explore how you can perform a competitor app analysis by country using App Store ratings effectively, and understand the implications for your own app's growth.

Why App Store Ratings Matter

App Store ratings are more than just a measure of user satisfaction; they reflect the number of users who have engaged with the app to the extent of leaving a review. By analyzing these ratings, you can estimate app downloads by country and gauge the popularity of a competitor app in different regions. This approach offers a straightforward method to assess market presence without needing detailed sales data.

Moreover, high ratings can influence potential users' decisions, acting as social proof of an app's quality and reliability. Users are more likely to download an app with a higher rating, increasing its visibility and download rate in that region.

Steps to Analyze Competitor App Ratings

To perform a competitor app analysis by country, follow these practical steps:

  • Identify the competitor app you want to analyze.
  • Check the App Store ratings for the app across different country storefronts.
  • Note the number of ratings in each country as an indicator of popularity.
  • Compare the ratings data with user reviews to understand user sentiment and potential app issues or strengths.

For instance, let's consider WhatsApp. By observing its App Store ratings, you can discern its popularity across various regions.

WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Inc. · Social Networking · 4.7 (18M)

App Store
Audience by country · Localizations: 38
🇺🇸 United States 4.7 · 18M 🇧🇷 Brazil 4.8 · 8M 🇮🇳 India 4.6 · 8M 🇷🇺 Russia 4.7 · 4M 🇮🇩 Indonesia 4.8 · 4M 🇩🇪 Germany 4.6 · 4M 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 4.5 · 3M 🇫🇷 France 4.6 · 3M 🇹🇷 Türkiye 4.6 · 3M 🇮🇹 Italy 4.7 · 2M

Data updated:

Comparing Competitor App Ratings

Once you've gathered the ratings data, the next step is to compare them across different apps. Consider Telegram as a contrasting example to WhatsApp. By comparing the ratings of these two apps, you can identify geographical differences in user engagement.

Telegram Messenger
Telegram Messenger

Telegram FZ-LLC · Social Networking · 4.0 (274K)

App Store
Audience by country · Localizations: 19
🇷🇺 Russia 3.7 · 413K 🇺🇸 United States 4.0 · 274K 🇺🇦 Ukraine 3.7 · 64K 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 3.7 · 57K 🇮🇩 Indonesia 3.2 · 48K 🇧🇷 Brazil 3.8 · 35K 🇹🇷 Türkiye 3.6 · 27K 🇩🇪 Germany 3.7 · 25K 🇲🇾 Malaysia 3.3 · 24K 🇫🇷 France 3.6 · 22K

Data updated:

Using this data, you can decide which markets are saturated and where there might be opportunities for your app. For instance, if WhatsApp has higher ratings in Europe but lower in Asia compared to Telegram, this might indicate a market gap where your app could potentially thrive.

Estimating App Downloads

While App Store ratings offer a proxy for app downloads by country estimate, it's important to interpret them correctly. High ratings in a country might suggest a strong user base, but they don't directly correlate to revenue. For a clearer understanding of financial performance, utilize top charts for grossing apps in specific markets.

Top apps 🇧🇷 br
1.
ChatGPT OpenAI OpCo, LLC · ★ 4.9 (2M)
2.
YouTube Google · ★ 4.7 (7M)
3.
CapCut - Editor de vídeo Bytedance Pte. Ltd · ★ 4.7 (270K)
4.
Canva: editor de fotos e vídeo Canva · ★ 4.9 (3M)
5.
Claude by Anthropic Anthropic PBC · ★ 4.8 (16K)
6.
Globoplay: é muuuita Copa! GLOBO COM. E PART. S/A · ★ 4.6 (469K)
7.
Tinder - app de relacionamento Tinder LLC · ★ 4.6 (710K)
8.
Amazon Prime Video AMZN Mobile LLC · ★ 4.7 (207K)
9.
LinkedIn: Perfil Profissional LinkedIn Corporation · ★ 4.9 (231K)
10.
Pokémon GO Niantic, Inc. · ★ 4.0 (51K)
Source — Apple’s public App Store charts, updated daily. Data updated: 12 Jul 2026

This chart indicates the apps that are truly monetizing in the Brazilian market, allowing you to gauge potential for revenue generation. It's crucial to balance high user engagement with monetization strategies to ensure sustainable growth.

Leveraging ASO Tools for Keywords

Once you've identified countries where competitor apps are popular, delve deeper into keyword analysis for those regions. Tools like ASO Corgi's AI Keyword Discovery can automatically find relevant keywords used by competitors, aiding in strategic optimization.

Effective keyword analysis involves understanding the local language nuances and cultural preferences, which can significantly impact search behavior and app visibility.

Common Mistakes in Competitor Analysis

When analyzing competitor app ratings, avoid these common pitfalls:

  • Over-reliance on Ratings: Ratings alone don't provide a full picture. Consider user reviews, download numbers, and revenue data for comprehensive insights.
  • Ignoring Market Trends: Market dynamics can change rapidly. Regularly update your analysis to stay ahead of trends.
  • Neglecting User Sentiment: Ratings should be analyzed alongside user feedback to understand the reasons behind them.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can derive more accurate and actionable insights from your analysis.

Practical Takeaway

To leverage this analysis:

  • Identify the competitor app's strong markets using App Store ratings.
  • Investigate and track the keywords prevalent in those regions.
  • Continuously monitor keyword positions and demand using ASO tools.

This workflow will help you uncover growth opportunities and refine your app's strategy based on competitor insights.

FAQ

How do App Store ratings reflect an app's popularity?

App Store ratings indicate user engagement. A high number of ratings in a country suggests a significant user base, but does not equate directly to revenue.

Can ratings alone determine app success?

Ratings are a useful proxy for user engagement, but to understand financial success, consider additional metrics such as grossing charts.

What's the best way to track keywords in different regions?

Utilize ASO tools like ASO Corgi's Keyword Position Tracking to monitor keyword trends and demand in specific countries.