Move over, basic apps. Super Apps are here to steal the spotlight and make your life a whole lot easier. But what exactly are Super Apps? Think of them like a superhero that can do it all – from ordering food delivery to booking a ride, paying bills, and more, all in one convenient app. No more flipping between a million different apps to get things done. It’s like having a personal assistant in your pocket.
Now, you might be thinking, “But wait, isn’t the US already saturated with apps? Do we really need another one?” And to that, we say: “Honey, please.” Just because there are a lot of apps out there, doesn’t mean they’re all good or that they all do what they’re supposed to. Super Apps are like the Avengers of the app world – they’re the best of the best, and they’re here to save the day (or at least make your day a little more manageable).
If Super Apps are so great, how come all I ever hear about is how they won’t make it in the US?
The reasons are numerous and varied about why Super Apps won’t make it – the US isn’t China; the US has too much infrastructure; people won’t accept or use it; people won’t give up their apps; US phones are better than foreign phones, so you don’t need Super Apps; side loading is for babies; and basically any other alphabet soup of words you can put together on your metaphorical digital spoon.
Perhaps one of my favorite responses is comparing Super Apps to the old saying, “Jack of all Trades, master of none .”Ignoring for a moment that the original quote didn’t say ‘master of none’ and was actually talking about Shakespeare (yes, that Shakespeare), all this blustering feels like arguments from an old man on his lawn.
However, these naysayers may not fully understand the shifting desires of the modern American consumer. According to the PYMNTS.com Super App Shift study, a majority of American consumers (57%) are open to using a single app for multiple tasks, instead of having multiple apps for different purposes. This is particularly true among younger generations, with 63% of millennials and 70% of Gen Zers stating they would prefer to use a single app for multiple tasks.
The study also found that convenience and efficiency are the top priorities for American consumers when it comes to using mobile apps. A majority of respondents (67%) stated that they would be more likely to use an app if it made their life more convenient, and 63% said they would be more likely to use an app if it saved them time.
These statistics show that there is a clear demand for Super Apps in the US market, as they provide a convenient and efficient way for users to access a wide range of services and features within a single app. Younger generations, in particular, are more open to using a single app for multiple tasks and prioritize convenience and efficiency when it comes to mobile apps.
But don’t just take math or our word for it. Even big companies like Amazon, Facebook and Google are considering creating their own Super Apps. They know a good thing when they see it.
Interest and talk is great, but I want my Super App now. Is there any out there to try?
As of the writing of this article, there appears to be only one US Super App that meets the standard criteria – the Vezbi Super App. There are several start-ups that keep talking about being first (sorry, kids, but you clearly aren’t) and other apps that have cobbled together some extra features and are marketing themselves as a ‘super app’ but don’t meet the real definition.
It does appear that the lone candidate is just starting out, but it does seem that they are keyed in to the ideas and concepts that Americans want not only in a Super App but in their apps generally (no algorithm, data privacy, etc.). Will they be able to make it in this new tech landscape? Will Big Tech come up with a better concept?
Sure, there might be some hurdles to jump over, but that’s what makes the Super App journey all the more exciting. It’s like a real-life game of “Mission Impossible” but with apps. I know I will be rooting for Vezbi and other Super Apps that may come because Super Apps are here to make your life easier, and honestly, who doesn’t want that?
