India’s app economy goes spiritual: Religious and astrology apps clock nearly 30 crore downloads in nine months

India’s religious, spiritual and astrology apps recorded nearly 30 crore downloads between January and September 2026, surpassing their combined downloads for the whole of 2025. Astrology apps accounted for 15 crore downloads, while religious and spiritual apps recorded 14.6 crore, reflecting growing use of smartphones for prayer, devotional content and astrology services, a TOI report stated.

According to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, shared exclusively with TOI, astrology app downloads rose 75% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2026. Downloads of religious and spiritual apps increased 47% over the same period. The combined total exceeded the 24.8 crore downloads recorded by the two categories throughout 2025.

Religious apps attract users across faiths

The growth spans different religious traditions, with apps offering devotional music, scripture reading, prayer schedules and other faith-related services.


Sanatan Status Bhajan Mantra ranked first in the religious and spiritual category by average monthly active users. YouVersion Bible App, which provides Bible reading and audio content, took the second spot. WeMuslim, an app offering prayer timings and Qibla direction, ranked third.

Sri Mandir, which provides online pujas and devotional services, stood fourth. Muslim Pro, which offers Quran reading and prayer-related features, completed the top five. User activity varied across these platforms. Sanatan Status Bhajan Mantra recorded a 109% year-on-year increase in average monthly active users. YouVersion’s figure grew 24%, while WeMuslim reported 39% growth. Muslim Pro saw a 5% increase, whereas Sri Mandir recorded a 20% decline.

"India's strong cultural affinity with religion and astrology, combined with its mobile-first consumer base, creates a favourable environment for growth in these categories," said Eve Chen, insights analyst, Sensor Tower.

Users are spending more time on faith and astrology apps

The rise in downloads has coincided with an increase in the time users spend on these platforms. Average daily usage of religious and spiritual apps increased from 5.8 minutes in the first quarter of 2022 to 8.2 minutes in the first quarter of 2026, a rise of more than 40%.

Astrology apps recorded an even larger increase in engagement. Average daily usage climbed from 3.5 minutes to 5.3 minutes over the same period, marking growth of more than 50%. The figures suggest that users are not only downloading these apps but are also spending more time accessing their services.

AI astrology apps see a surge in downloads

Astrology platforms are also drawing users through services that incorporate artificial intelligence. Astrotalk led the category with 3 crore downloads during the January-September period. AstroSage Kundli: AI Astrology followed with 2.5 crore downloads, marking a 172% increase. Tarot99, a newer entrant, recorded 1.1 crore downloads.

AstroLokal registered one of the sharpest increases in the category. Its downloads surged 1,062% to nearly 75 lakh during the first nine months of 2026. The figures point to growing demand for digital astrology services alongside apps focused on religious practices. With smartphone usage providing access to prayer resources, sacred texts and astrology features, both categories have become significant parts of India’s expanding app economy.