AppFigures launches Windows Store analytics for app developers

New York City-based app store intelligence platform appFigures has rolled out Windows Store performance metrics for developers.

The platform provides developers an array of data points including downloads, revenue, and in-app purchases. AppFigures provides the same data for apps sold through the iOS App Store and Google Play.

“We are not an alternative to App Annie,” appFigures CEO and cofounder Ariel Michaeli said at the top of our phone conversation Wednesday. “Our focus is a little different.”

“They collect private data so they can aggregate it and sell it,” Michaeli told me. Michaeli said his company focuses on working closely with developers to help them understand and optimize their performance in the app stores. It does, however work with some megabrands too, such as eBay.

But appFigures does not package up app store data and sell it to advertisers as App Annie does, Michaeli explained.

Above: The appFigures app running on an iPhone.

The appFigures platform provides developers with reports on app store success, metrics on downloads, revenue, and ranks, in near real-time. The platform is also integrated with 20 ad networks, such as Apple’s iAd and Google’s AdMob.

Michaeli started the company with his brother Oz, who now works as head of product. The two were once game developers, and learned from experience the importance of good analytics data. AppFigures has several reasons for launching its integration with the Windows Store at this time.

Microsoft has been making moves to fire up the Windows app developer community. This summer it unified its Windows Phone Store (mobile apps) and Windows Store (desktop), bringing all apps under one roof as the Windows Store. Microsoft also recently launched developer tools to simplify cross-device Windows 10 app development.

“Microsoft made a bold move, connecting its app stores for desktop and phone together,” Michaeli said. “To developers, this means a larger and healthier ecosystem that includes a massive number of devices and even greater revenue potential.” Microsoft has also been investing resources in building new developer tools, and working directly with developers to create key Windows apps.

AppFigures believes that more than one billion Windows 10-enabled devices will be sold within the next two to three years.

The startup offers both a free and a paid version of its analytics product. Michaeli said 100,000 developers now use the service, but he would say only that “not more than half” are paying customers. AppFigures says it now tracks more than 5 million apps in the app stores. Developers can track their metrics on the desktop, or via an iOS app. There’s no app for Windows for Android, however.

Michaeli said his company has been profitable since opening the doors back in June of 2009.