For more than a decade, the Asian tech ecosystem has been dominated by “super-apps:” platforms such as WeChat, Alipay, and Meituan that offer an enormous network of services all in one integrated app. In contrast, analogous services in the U.S. have remained largely distributed, with a larger array of apps and websites each offering users a smaller subset of functionalities.
Are Super-Apps Coming to the U.S. Market?
Something super-ish is more likely than a true WeChat equivalent.
April 27, 2023
HBR Staff/Artur Debat/kimberrywood/ Roman Kulinskiy/Getty Images
Summary.
Over the last decade, super-apps like WeChat, Alipay, and LINE have taken Asian markets by storm. Could similar platforms soon be coming to the U.S.? Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and other Western tech leaders have vocally shared aspirations of creating a “WeChat equivalent” — but while it’s possible that the U.S. will develop some form of super-app, it’ll likely be more super-ish than truly super. In this piece, the authors outline several key factors that have kept super-apps from taking off in the U.S., as well as recent trends that may lead some form of super-app (or rather, a super-ish app) to emerge in the American market.
New!
HBR Learning
Digital Intelligence Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Digital Intelligence . Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Excel in a world that's being continually transformed by technology.
Learn More & See All Courses
New!
HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Digital Intelligence Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Digital Intelligence . Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Excel in a world that's being continually transformed by technology.