Mobile Learning Market

Global Mobile Learning Market Size

The global mobile learning market was worth USD 48.27 billion in 2024. The global market is predicted to be worth USD 278.52 billion by 2033 from USD 58.65 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 21.5% during the forecast period 2025 to 2033.

Mobile learning, also known as m-learning or e-learning, is defined as education through the Internet or the network through mobile devices, such as smartphones, handheld computers, and tablets. In mobile learning, educational materials are delivered through mobile apps, social interactions, and online educational centers. Mobile learning provides educational institutions with real-time capabilities to deliver educational content and information to students on any platform. Plus, it provides educational content for students anywhere, anytime, or on any platform. Mobile learning also provides a centralized portal for students to complete and download assignments, download course instructions, and work in online social groups to complete assignments.

Presently, the mobile learning market is witnessing significant traction. This can be attributed to new technologies, like the Internet of Things and the 5th-generation mobile networks; mobile apps go beyond the simple operations of smartphones.

According to a study published by De Gruyter Mouton in January 2024, as of the 1st quarter of 2022, over 5.88 million apps are available in prominent app stores; on the other hand, in mainland China, 2.32 million apps are available.

The competition among apps has become more fierce in recent years, making it significant to understand more about the factors that drive the adoption or non-adoption of apps. Experts have found specific variations between the United States and China in the app downloads. For instance, paid apps are downloaded more by Chinese consumers because of their innovativeness and the value of their content; in contrast, U.S. customers get paid apps due to the frequency of use. This pattern is also reflected in this market.

Modern-day students favour immediate access to appropriate content and use mobile devices to learn regardless of time and location. Hence, mLearning is becoming a priority for several organizations. In addition, the market today is dynamic, with every person having a separate way of learning. The course developers extensively use videos, images, presentations, or audio files in their content. Nowadays, mobile learning aids provide an engaging experience and serve the requirements of students with diverse educational styles.

MARKET DRIVERS

Increasing Demand for Mobile Learning from Educational Institutions

The global mobile learning market is expected to grow at a rapid rate during the forecast period due to increasing demand for mobile learning from educational institutions. As per the eLearning Industry, about 94 per cent of Generation Z utilize mobile phones for educational applications. It uncovers an outstanding connection between technological developments and advanced approaches.

The increasing adoption of digital learning solutions due to the increased penetration of mobile devices has allowed students to access material away from a fixed location, blurring boundaries and introducing interactive ways to enhance the overall learning experience. Additionally, information is presented more effectively using many types of digital media, contributing to better understanding and retention of concepts.

According to the recent HP India report, 63% of respondents in the country believe that digital learning is more effective in boosting their children's creative thinking, and 57% of respondents believe that experimental learning enables better understanding and that's why parents are willing to spend on learning apps for children's education that should support the market in the future.

Growing field for Training and Development Departments

Mobile learning is a growing field for training and development departments in organizations across all industries. Most companies are embracing technology-assisted learning, which enables students to create, store, and deliver innovative ideas in the workplace.

According to the study, organizations that rely on mobile learning solutions have seen their productivity increase by 16% and improve the creativity and loyalty of their employees. A survey conducted by IBM India of CIOs, CMOs, CTOs and other decision-makers in various industry verticals indicated that around 57% of companies plan to invest in BYOD and mobile technology. In comparison, 67.4% expressed personal interest in owning this technology, reflecting the growth of mobile learning in the business segment.

To Reduce the Cost of Training

To reduce the cost of training, most companies have reduced the hiring of trainers and started adopting mobile learning solutions such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which are offered by private content providers such as Coursera, Udacity, Khan Academy, etc.. Additionally, many companies are attempting to implement mobile learning solutions to provide training that can be performed on the go and in the workflow of users. The flexibility of training is in the hands of the user and you can learn at your own pace, according to your convenience, and ultimately gain experience effectively.

Research from Towards Maturity discovered that 66 per cent of companies had implemented mobile learning solutions, resulting in a 70 per cent rise in participation rates. Employees are not restricted to standard classroom settings, and they have the facility to study at their own speed and choose the location and time to engage with learning resources.

Technological Advancements

Growing technological advancements in the fields of computers, mobile phones and information technology are expected to drive the mobile learning market during the forecast period. The increasing shift from paper books and pencils to electronic solutions in educational and corporate institutions is expected to increase the demand for mobile learning worldwide. The demand for digital education has fueled the need to effectively manage online content, courses, and other educational processes. This, in turn, is expected to boost the global mobile learning market in the coming years. As per a study by World Metrcs, 90 per cent of learners believe online learning is similar to or better than conventional classroom learning.

The increased deployment of tablets in educational institutions is expected to boost the global mobile learning market during the forecast period. The emergence of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) around the world is also expected to increase the demand for mobile learning during the forecast period.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Rising Costs Associated with Equipment

However, rising costs associated with equipment, connectivity and maintenance are expected to hamper the mobile learning market during the foreseen period. In addition, the lack of technical skills of teachers and students, as well as budgetary constraints related to technological infrastructure, are expected to constrain the market in the coming years.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES 

Incorporation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

The mobile learning market is expected to thrive with opportunities and innovations. From the emergence of self-directed, constant education to the profoundly engaging experiences facilitated by Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR) and the worldwide interconnection of classrooms, each market development is slated to add to a more customized, adaptive, and inclusive learning condition.

The incorporation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in the educational environment is redefining the idea or notion of immersive learning.

A study by Bigoh Tech revealed that VR and AR technologies account for 76 per cent of learning more efficiently as they give immersive learning experiences than the traditional learning approaches.

These technologies provide students with an interactive and engaging method to complicated topics, positioning abstract ideas accessible and tangible. VR offers an entirely immersive experience, enabling learners to explore digital landscapes and carry out experiments in a harmless and controlled environment. On the contrary, AR covers digital data in the physical world, improving students’ knowledge of their immediate circle or vicinity. Both technologies foster active instead of passive learning and have been demonstrated to elevate learners’ engagement, motivation, and retention rates.

The open learning environment is another trend that is primarily revolutionizing the educational sector and is ultimately expected to contribute to the expansion of the market. These gradual spaces consist of unique pedagogies, educational materials, and open courses made to solve essential problems of cost-effectiveness, accountability, and accessibility in learning.

MARKET CHALLENGES 

Limited Screen Size & Lower Attention Span among Students

The limited screen size is one of the ordinary yet essential challenges for expanding the mobile learning market. Building a course aimed to be played on desktops and laptops is not the equivalent of producing an experience that will be provided on any mobile device. When it comes to smartphones, for instance, their dimensions are much more confined than those of a desktop. Even though the screen size differs depending on the model and kind of mobile phone, it remains deficient. Thus, it affects the market growth rate.

A lower attention span among students is another obstacle for market players. Usually, employees are habituated to executing multiple jobs at the same period. It's ordinary. Human concentration time has dropped because of the plenty of distractions—for example, chats, online shopping, social media, etc. Consequently, this is a crucial challenge to take into account when calculating and crafting programs for mobile learning.

Additionally, more storage and battery life are needed to ensure the market's upward trajectory. Big files, like images and videos, take up a substantial amount of storage space, and continuously playing audio or video content rapidly decreases the battery of devices.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Software Insights

The video courses segment is quickly gaining traction and is expected to expand further during the forecast period. Today, video-based learning has turned into a broadly accepted trend in this market, and a rising number of companies are acknowledging its effectiveness. Learning has surpassed the size of the traditional classroom setting. The acceptance of learning management systems (LMS) and mLearning is progressively becoming widespread as more educational establishments seek advanced teaching and learning methods. Therefore, eLearning and LMS in this segment are experiencing favorable growth and are projected to mature further in the next few years. According to a study, an astonishing 95 per cent of organizations use some type of video to train their employees.

By Application Insights

The corporate learning segment is anticipated to lead this category in the mobile learning market. The segment’s landscape is consistently changing and developing following the course of educational institutions, technology, and the economy. Moreover, the adoption of AI is providing more opportunities for expanding the segment. As per TechReport, artificial intelligence supports 73 per cent of employees understanding the study resources better, and 63 per cent learn more productively.

Further, gamification enhances study efficiency, contributing to the surge of the segment’s market share. Gamification methods of corporate training involve the accrual of points, exciting storytelling or course scenarios, and other rewards that can be swapped for actual gifts, as well as the application of leaderboards.

By End-User Insights

The corporate segment is the biggest end-user of the mobile learning market. Considering the swift changes in technology, working style, culture, etc., post-COVID-19, the use of mLearning by the people employed in the corporates has increased. This is due to staying updated with the evolving times and improving their existing skills. Moreover, the past four years have compelled the organizations to reexamine their practices, structures, and work. This expedited the trend of work-from-home (WFH), redefining conventional workplaces across the world.

According to the article released in Thinkdom, in the post-COVID-19 environment, remote work experienced a staggering increase, with 12.7 per cent of full-time employees in the United States of America working from home and 28.2 per cent following a hybrid model. This makes constant learning essential and places mobile learning at the top.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

North America and Europe are the major contributors to this industry, followed by Asia Pacific. The increasing investments by existing players and the advent of new players have reinforced the mobile learning business in these areas. According to World Metrics, in 2024, about 67 per cent of the United States companies have incorporated mLearning in their programs for training purposes. This initiative shows the ability of mobile learning and its significance in this technological era. It observes deep on readily available new capabilities and information. These figures go deep into mobile learning and depict a dynamic shift into innovative and adjustable teaching strategies.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region and is projected to experience significant expansion in the mobile learning market during the forecast period. The rapid growth and adoption of digital technologies is one of the key factors driving the region forward in this market. In addition, the combination of multiple factors is accelerating the growth rate of the market in the region. This includes the presence of a young population, rapid penetration of smartphones with a stable internet connection, and a growing number of screen time compared to other regions. Apart from this, the adoption of VR and VR in East Asian countries is also driving the APAC’s market size.

As per published research, South Asia has a large number of students throughout all sectors, but it is especially high for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (51 per cent, in contrast to 38 per cent of those not participate).

KEY MARKET PLAYERS IN THE MARKET

Upside Learning, Dell, SAP, SweetRush, City & Guilds Kineo, Epic Learning Group, Allen Interactions, GLAD Solutions, Oxagile, and LAS are some of the notable companies in the global mobile learning market.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN MARKET

• In July 2024, the state government of Uttarakhand (India) commenced the ‘Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Kalyan Yojana-2024'. Under this program, mobile learning buses were launched for the children of construction workers. Moreover, the government is launching several programs to assist the young generation in the state. 
• In May 2024, LearnWith.AI introduced the first learning app called TeachTap. It is an AI-powered app for preparing for high school courses and advanced placement (AP) exams. By joining a social media site inspired by an academically exhaustive course, will revolutionize how high school students study and practice for AP exams.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the global mobile learning market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on the software, application, end-user and region.

By Software

• E-Books
• Video Courses
• Interactive Reviews
• Others

By Application

• Corporate Learning
• Classroom Learning
• Stimulation-Based Learning
• Others

By End User

• Academic
• Corporate

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa