State of Jest
The Texting-Powered App Store
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportWelcome
to our inaugural State of Jest report. We’re sharing these updates regularly to give our community a clear view of our progress—and to demonstrate why Jest is the best place to publish and play.
As the world’s first texting-powered app store, Jest introduces a new paradigm for discovering, sharing, and experiencing mobile entertainment. For developers, it represents an entirely new frontier—and a massive, untapped opportunity.
Our biggest Q3 milestone was monetization. Since launching in-app purchases on July 1, we surged from zero to a $1M+ run rate in under three months.
The strongest indicator of our momentum: 15% payer conversion rate. With developers keeping up to 90% of net revenue, there has never been a better time to build on Jest.
Dive into the rest of the report for the full details.
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportTable of
Contents
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportAbout Jest
What Jest is and how it works.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · About Jest
Jest is the
Texting-Powered
App Store
Leveraging RCS, Jest turns the messaging inbox into an instant app and game distribution platform.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · About JestDevelopers
Publish on
Jest.com
If your app or game runs in a mobile browser, it runs on Jest — just integrate our SDK.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · About Jest
Users Sign Up
Simply By
Sending a Text
Phone numbers serve as the core identity, enabling both Android and iOS consumers to sign up instantly.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · About JestRetention
Happens In The
Messaging Thread
Messaging is mobile’s stickiest surface: a text doesn’t vanish like a push—it sits between real conversations until tapped.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · About Jest
Seamless Payments
Via Digital Wallets
Unlocking one-tap checkout for one-off in-app purchases and recurring subscriptions—without the app store tax.
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportPlatform Performance
Usage, retention, and platform breakdown.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Platform PerformanceUsage is
Up 4X
Fueled by strong retention and new user acquisition.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Platform PerformanceDaily
Engagement
is Up 3X
Driven by a broader selection of apps and games on the platform.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Platform PerformanceOverall Retention
Fueled by the inherent stickiness of texting.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Platform PerformanceEcosystem Retention
37% of users try a 2nd app on Jest, drastically boosting long-term platform stickiness.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Platform PerformanceAudience Breakdown
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Platform PerformanceRCS Has
Become the
New Standard
Unlocking app-like superpowers in the inbox including: rich media, buttons, analytics, and more.
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportKey Features
Launched
Major features we shipped recently.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features Launched
Monetization
Set up in-app purchases and subscriptions with a few SDK calls; Jest handles checkout, payments, and payouts.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features Launched$0 to $1M
Run-Rate
in 3 Months
Driven by in-app purchases via digital wallets.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedBillings Breakdowns
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedMonetization Performance
conversion
per user (ARPU)
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedDeveloper-first economics
Developers Keep Up to
90% of Net Revenue
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedJest Chat
Chat is live for every user on Jest: one global room and rooms by game, reachable from the platform footer and from inside any app.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedChat Stats
36% chat adoption since launch.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedAI-Powered
Player Feedback
Get an automatic summary of bugs and feedback players share about your game across Jest chat. Track issues and get daily or weekly email digests.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedPost as a
Verified Developer
Connect directly with your players by posting announcements, updates, and replies as a verified identity representing you, your studio, or your game.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features LaunchedCustomize the
Registration Flow
Control your registration flow: trigger custom, native-feeling in-app popups to optimize conversions.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features Launched
Test Your Way to
Launch With the
Simulator
Validate your build against the Jest launch checklist before submitting so you can easily catch issues, reduce review rounds, and get published faster.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Key Features Launched
The All-New
Home Tab
The platform’s new central hub—now driving 50% of app entries—where users instantly resume your app or discover you for the first time.
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportRoadmap
Key upcoming platform features and developments.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · RoadmapJest Ads
BetaAcquire and retain users by promoting your app on key platform surfaces across Jest.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · RoadmapEmpower Your
AI Assistant With
the Jest MCP
Read your app’s analytics, manage products and builds, and access Jest docs without leaving your AI workflow.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Roadmap
Unity Web Optimization
AI Agent Skill
Equip AI agents with the Jest Unity Optimization skill to optimize builds automatically—like Animal Crush, which cut download size from 120 MB to 25 MB for 5x faster startup and lower churn.
State of Jest Q3’26 ReportJest Fund
Growth funding for the next generation of apps and games on Jest.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Jest FundUpdate on Fund I
Fund I was open February – April 15, 2026.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Jest FundFund I Developer Testimonials
“The Jest Fund gave Orbo the early distribution rocket fuel we needed. The Jest platform offers better economics than the legacy mobile app stores, higher engagement, and a team that actually supports developers.
We’ve shipped a lot of games through numerous channels and this is the first platform where the deal favours the developer. Jest provided the exact capital and support to take our game from early concept to a runaway hit.”
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Jest Fund
Up to $1M in growth funding for entertainment apps and games that join the platform.
State of Jest Q3’26 Report · Jest FundWhat We Look For
IAP-driven games and entertainment apps showing a clear path to positive ROAS.
The Texting-Powered App Store