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Top 20 Gaming and Game Engines SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store
Last update: 24 Sep 2023 CET
App Store

Top 20 Gaming and Game Engines SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store

We at 42matters have identified the 20 most popular Gaming and Game Engines SDKs leveraged by iOS apps available on the iOS app market.

Gaming and Game Engine SDKs help developers build mobile games. They come with a set of tools and resources (game assets, scripting languages, APIs for game logic and physics, etc.) for creating, debugging, and deploying games on particular game engines. They may also include support for graphics rendering, audio, netowrking, and other gaming features.

This list is based on our analysis of the millions of mobile applications – and the 2,300+ SDKs they use – that constitute the vast inventory of the Apple App Store. The accompanying data provides readers with a glimpse into the rich mobile application insights generated by the 42matters technology. This data is also available via our APIs, file dumps, Explorer, and SDK Explorer.

The intended purpose of this article is to assist app builders in their search for the perfect Gaming and Game Engines SDK to leverage in their app, as well as to give SDK developers insight into their biggest competitors and potential customers. This data collected by our technology may also serve as a useful tool for folks researching the wider mobile app market.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 56.56% have integrated Unity3D. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Unity, the world’s most popular development platform for creating 2D and 3D multiplatform games and interactive experiences.

Total Apps
148.34k
App Store
App Share
56.56%
App Store
Apps
31.78k
Games
116.56k
Total Downloads
56.16b
App Store
Download Share
47.42%
App Store
App Downloads
5.77b
Game Downloads
50.39b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Unity3D.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 43.75% have integrated Apple GameKit. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
73.89k
App Store
App Share
43.75%
App Store
Apps
17.15k
Games
56.75k
Total Downloads
48.85b
App Store
Download Share
41.25%
App Store
App Downloads
6.34b
Game Downloads
42.51b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple GameKit.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 7.80% have integrated GameAnalytics. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

GameanAlytics is an SDK that collects, visualizes, and understands your player data all in one platform.

Total Apps
23.46k
App Store
App Share
7.80%
App Store
Apps
331
Games
23.13k
Total Downloads
12.06b
App Store
Download Share
10.19%
App Store
App Downloads
107.14m
Game Downloads
11.96b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use GameAnalytics.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 10.41% have integrated Apple SpriteKit. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
21.29k
App Store
App Share
10.41%
App Store
Apps
15.70k
Games
5.59k
Total Downloads
32.65b
App Store
Download Share
27.57%
App Store
App Downloads
31.77b
Game Downloads
881.30m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple SpriteKit.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 16.50% have integrated Cocos2D-X. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Cocos2D-X is a mature, open source, cross-platform game development framework SDK that supports 2D and 3D game creation. The engine provides rich functions such as graphics rendering, GUI, audio, network, physics, user input, etc. It is widely used in game development and interactive application construction.

Total Apps
20.50k
App Store
App Share
16.50%
App Store
Apps
4.18k
Games
16.32k
Total Downloads
12.01b
App Store
Download Share
10.14%
App Store
App Downloads
2.93b
Game Downloads
9.08b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Cocos2D-X.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 3.73% have integrated Ejecta. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Ejecta is a fast, open source JavaScript, Canvas, and audio implementation SDK for iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) and tvOS (Apple TV). It serves as a browser that can only display a Canvas element.

Total Apps
4.94k
App Store
App Share
3.73%
App Store
Apps
1.56k
Games
3.37k
Total Downloads
4.30b
App Store
Download Share
3.63%
App Store
App Downloads
1.72b
Game Downloads
2.58b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Ejecta.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 2.01% have integrated Solar2D Corona Labs. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Corona is a 2D engine SDK that lets you build games and apps for all major platforms, including iOS, Android, Kindle, Apple TV, Android TV, macOS, and Windows.

Total Apps
3.53k
App Store
App Share
2.01%
App Store
Apps
1.56k
Games
1.98k
Total Downloads
580.96m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
123.37m
Game Downloads
457.60m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Solar2D Corona Labs.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, 1.54% have integrated Prime31. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Prime31 is an SDK that creates top quality mobile games, applications, and tools for small and large businesses.

Total Apps
2.51k
App Store
App Share
1.54%
App Store
Apps
258
Games
2.26k
Total Downloads
1.62b
App Store
Download Share
1.36%
App Store
App Downloads
204.94m
Game Downloads
1.41b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Prime31.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated GameThrive. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

The GameThrive SDK offers push notifications for mobile games and apps.

Total Apps
968
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
534
Games
434
Total Downloads
67.33m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
19.75m
Game Downloads
47.57m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use GameThrive.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated GameCenterManager. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

GameCenter Manager is an SDK that helps to manage Game Center in iOS and Mac apps. It reports and tracks high scores, achievements, and challenges for different players.

Total Apps
958
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
122
Games
836
Total Downloads
663.31m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
24.50m
Game Downloads
638.80m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use GameCenterManager.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Faceunity. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
591
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
588
Games
3
Total Downloads
951.51m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
857.15m
Game Downloads
94.36m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Faceunity.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Chipmunk2d. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Chipmunk2D is a simple, lightweight, fast, and portable 2D rigid body physics library SDK written in C.

Total Apps
572
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
120
Games
452
Total Downloads
51.67m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
8.14m
Game Downloads
43.52m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Chipmunk2d.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated TapTap Developer Services. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
493
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
44
Games
449
Total Downloads
489.07m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
48.12m
Game Downloads
440.95m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use TapTap Developer Services.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Everyplay. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

The Everyplay SDK was a framework that facilitated the recording of video and audio of games. It was discontinued in 2018.

Total Apps
382
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
63
Games
319
Total Downloads
52.43m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
1.64m
Game Downloads
50.79m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Everyplay.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Godot Engine. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
348
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
65
Games
283
Total Downloads
3.84m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
328.00k
Game Downloads
3.52m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Godot Engine.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated ByteBrew. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
305
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
26
Games
279
Total Downloads
269.03m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
171.27k
Game Downloads
268.86m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use ByteBrew.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Google Play Games Services. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Google Play Games Services SDK provides cross-platform Google Play games services that let you easily integrate popular gaming features such as achievements, leaderboards, and saved games in your tablet and mobile games.

Total Apps
275
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
17
Games
258
Total Downloads
7.83m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
240.29k
Game Downloads
7.59m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Google Play Games Services.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Sparrow. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

The Sparrow SDK is a pure Objective-C built for iPhone and iPad. It's an open source game engine for iOS.

Total Apps
65
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
23
Games
42
Total Downloads
281.73m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
262.89m
Game Downloads
18.84m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Sparrow.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated Superera. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

The Superera SDK is an edgy mobile game publishing brand focused on casual to mid-core games.

Total Apps
39
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
2
Games
37
Total Downloads
26.69m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
535.13k
Game Downloads
26.16m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Superera.

Among all apps utilizing gaming and game engines SDKs, <1% have integrated PlayFab. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the gaming and game engines SDK category.

Total Apps
2
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
0
Games
2
Total Downloads
1.52m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
0
Game Downloads
1.52m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use PlayFab.

Browse iOS and Android SDKs With the SDK Explorer

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  • SDK IntelligenceSDK Intelligence

    See how many apps integrate specific SDKs, how many times these SDKs have been downloaded, developer details, similar SDKs, and more.

  • New Installations and Removals HistoryNew Installations and Removals History

    Analyze installation and removal trends for SDKs. Discover which apps have removed or integrated specific SDKs in a given timeframe.

  • Market Share per Google Play and Apple App Store CategoryMarket Share per Google Play and Apple App Store Category

    See which app categories or genres are most likely to use specific SDKs. Detect SDK market share per category.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does 42matters collect this data?'

We’ve developed a number of machine learning algorithms that scan millions of mobile and connected TV (CTV) applications on a regular basis. In addition, we collect ground truth app performance intelligence and use this data to build statistical models that estimate the performance of apps for which we do not have ground truth data.

What SDK data does 42matters collect?'

We track over 2,300 of the most popular SDKs integrated in iOS and Android apps. We collect a variety of SDK insights (title, platform, ID, category, and developer website); performance metrics (the number of apps that have installed each SDK, installation and removal trends, and app downloads); market share statistics (including market share per app category); and more!

How can I access 42matters’ SDK data?'

The most direct way is to use our SDK Explorer, which is a visual, web-based research platform that enables you to peruse all 2,300+ SDKs that we track. It’s great for market research, lead generation, competitor analysis, etc. However, more technically-inclined folks might prefer our APIs and File Dumps, which enable you to query info for specific apps or SDKs. You can also use our other research platforms (the Explorer and App Watchlist) to view integrated SDKs by app.

Can I use 42matters’ solutions to generate app publisher leads?'

Absolutely! We actually wrote about this on our blog. We focused on ad network SDKs, but the examples are applicable to most SDK types. To summarize, you can use the Explorer’s advanced filtering capabilities to home in on best-fit app publishers, leverage the SDK Explorer to see which apps use your competitors’ SDKs, and use our APIs and file dumps to build custom lead generation processes.

What data does 42matters provide on mobile apps?'

A ton! We track 17+ million apps across Google Play, the Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore, Tencent MyApp, and Huawei AppGallery. Our solutions provide access to app details (developer insights, metadata, ASO keywords, contact information, etc.); performance metrics (downloads, MAUs, ratings, reviews, top chart rankings, etc.); technical insights (integrated SDKs, permissions, required capabilities, etc.); content details (categories, genres, IAB categories, content ratings, etc.); compliance information (app-ads.txt, privacy policies, store status, etc.) and much, much more!

Can I use 42matters’ solutions to find SDKs for my app?'

Definitely. The SDK Explorer enables you to sort SDKs by category, identify similar SDKs, analyze SDK reliability, and more. In addition, you can use the App Watchlist and Explorer to monitor your competitors, including which SDKs they add and remove, their current tech stacks, and SDK changelogs. This means you use our solutions not only to find the right SDK for a particular purpose, but also which SDKs you might need to keep up with your rivals.