How to research competing apps
Study the apps a user sees next to yours, then look for differences you can act on.
Start with the same search.
Look at the apps appearing for a keyword your audience might type. Those results are more useful than a generic list of popular apps because they share the user's immediate intent.
Read the full listing.
Compare titles, subtitles, categories, screenshots, ratings, and recent updates. Notice which promise each app makes before you decide what is missing from your own listing.
Compare countries separately.
An app's position and presentation can differ by storefront. Research the countries you care about instead of assuming one market represents all of them.
Keep estimates in perspective.
Download and revenue estimates can help frame a niche, but they are not a competitor's actual sales reports. Public listing information and your own product judgment should carry more weight.