Android owners download higher proportion of free apps than Apple and BlackBerry owners, according to Wireless Media Lab buyer analysis by Strategy Analytics.
The study also shows that 83% of all downloaded smartphone apps are cost-free.
Western Europe has seen the average number of downloaded smartphone apps increase, unlike in the US where they have declined a bit since 2010, according to the research firm.
In UK, the respondents downloaded an average of 10 more apps per user in 2011 when compared to 2010.
Apple iPhone users, however, continue to lead in terms of total average downloads per user, total apps retained and most apps used on a regular basis, according to Strategy Analytics.
The study also showed that 92% of apps downloaded by Android respondents in Western Europe and 89% in the US were free.
Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice senior analyst Christopher Dodge said along with the rising total number of installed apps, the proportion of free apps being installed is also on the rise.
"With very few customers paying for apps at all, application offerings should be seen as a customer retention tool rather than a stream for revenue generation," added Dodge.
