An 85-Spot Drop
LeadMomo: AI Photo & Video Maker reached the #2 spot on the overall US App Store chart on September 25th. Just over a week later, it had fallen 85 positions, erasing its gains.
Viral Surge
Market ImpactThe app's movement began with a sharp climb in late September 2026. A viral marketing push on social media platforms starting around September 23rd drove daily downloads from 35k to a peak of more than 162k on September 25th. This propelled Momo from outside the top 150 to #2 overall in the US, a position it held for four days. In its own 'Photo & Video' category, it secured the #1 rank for a full week.
The descent was just as fast. By October 3rd, Momo had fallen to #87 on the overall free chart, suggesting the initial download velocity was not sustainable.
The descent was just as fast. By October 3rd, Momo had fallen to #87 on the overall free chart, suggesting the initial download velocity was not sustainable.
Monetization Backlash
Root CauseThe primary cause for Momo's rapid fall appears to be its monetization strategy. User reviews widely label the model a "bait-and-switch" or "scam".[2] The app requires users to purchase a weekly subscription, with pric[3]es reported between $6.99 and $14.99, only to then require additional in-app purchases of consumable "coins" to generate any content. This two-layer paywall is a frequent point of frustration.
As one 1-star reviewer wrote on September 27th, "Charge you monthly and then charge you more for coins! Don’t get it!" This sentiment is reflected in aggregated review data, which shows the percentage of 1-star reviews climbed to 78.3% over the last 30 days.
As one 1-star reviewer wrote on September 27th, "Charge you monthly and then charge you more for coins! Don’t get it!" This sentiment is reflected in aggregated review data, which shows the percentage of 1-star reviews climbed to 78.3% over the last 30 days.
A Brief Windfall
MonetizationThe app's brief, viral-driven ascent generated significant income. For the week starting September 21st, Momo brought in estimated revenue north of $922k from over 767k new downloads. However, as negative reviews accumulated, the financial returns diminished quickly. The following week, starting September 28th, downloads fell by more than half to under 355k, and revenue dropped to approximately $637k. The data shows a direct link between user sentiment and commercial performance.
Technical Failures
User ReceptionBeyond the pricing model, users report critical performance issues that render the app unusable. A pattern has emerged in early October reviews where users pay for a subscription and coins, only for the app to display an "under maintenance" message, preventing any use. One user on October 3rd stated the app "Takes money but is ‘under maintenance’ and you can’t use."
Others who manage to get past that screen describe tokens being consumed without any video being created. A 1-star review from October 2nd reads: "Kept trying to load videos with coins I paid for and they would just disappear and didn’t get a refund... LIKE YOURE FOING TO TAKE MY MONEY FROM A SUBSCRIPTION AND THEN MAKE ME BUY COINS AND THEN JUST KEEP THEM BUT NOT CREATE A VIDEO. INSANE."
Others who manage to get past that screen describe tokens being consumed without any video being created. A 1-star review from October 2nd reads: "Kept trying to load videos with coins I paid for and they would just disappear and didn’t get a refund... LIKE YOURE FOING TO TAKE MY MONEY FROM A SUBSCRIPTION AND THEN MAKE ME BUY COINS AND THEN JUST KEEP THEM BUT NOT CREATE A VIDEO. INSANE."
Expert Verdict
Expert VerdictMomo's trajectory is a case study in the risks of aggressive monetization in a competitive market. While viral trends can drive huge initial download volumes, user trust is fragile. The publisher, SCALEUP YAZILIM HIZMETLERI ANONIM SIRKETI, now faces a significant challenge. The volume of complaints about both the pricing structure and basic functionality suggests a deep disconnect with user expectations.
To recover, the developer would likely need to overhaul its payment system to a more transparent model and address the widespread technical bugs. Without these changes, analysts would expect the app to struggle to regain any meaningful chart position.
To recover, the developer would likely need to overhaul its payment system to a more transparent model and address the widespread technical bugs. Without these changes, analysts would expect the app to struggle to regain any meaningful chart position.