Surge in Usage of Untact Apps Like 'Goodoc' and 'Zoom' Amid COVID-19 Impact

Published 07 Apr.2020 08:28(KST)

Increased Usage Time of Mobile Video Apps and Mobile Games

Surge in Usage of Untact Apps Like 'Goodoc' and 'Zoom' Amid COVID-19 Impact

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] The usage of untact (contactless) related applications has significantly increased due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

App and retail analysis services WiseApp and WiseRetail announced on the 7th the apps that saw a surge in users and usage time due to COVID-19.

A sample survey of app usage behavior in March among Koreans with Android smartphones showed that the app with the highest user growth rate compared to February was the medical information platform 'Goodoc,' which increased from 180,000 users in February to 3.13 million in March, a growth rate of 1639%.

The app with the second highest growth rate was the video conferencing platform 'Zoom.' Users increased from 30,000 in January to 180,000 in February, and then to 1.87 million in March, a 939% increase compared to February.

The third was 'Gyeonggi Local Currency,' which grew from 580,000 users in February to 1.67 million in March, an increase of 188% compared to February. Following were 'Ddokddak' (184%), 'Audioclip' (191%), 'EBS Elementary' (167%), and 'EBS Middle+' (126%).

Mobile video service apps also saw a significant increase in usage time. 'Netflix' recorded an all-time high with 4.63 million users, a 22% increase compared to February, and usage time also rose by 34%, marking a record high. 'YouTube' saw a 16% increase in total usage time, and 'TikTok' usage time increased by 27%.

Usage time for mobile games popular among teenagers also increased. 'Brawl Stars' usage time rose by 27%, 'Battleground' by 66%, 'Minecraft' by 19%, and 'ROBLOX' by 53%. Additionally, delivery apps such as 'Baedal Minjok' and 'Yogiyo' recorded their highest number of users ever.