With an average 29 apps each, that adds up to a total spend of just £8.94 per user. Only one in seven has spent more than £20.
The research, a survey of 1700 people by uSwitch.com, also suggests that we use just 41 per cent of our apps regularly, with 61% using less than half and 29% using less than a quarter.
Those aged 55-64 are the most economical, according to the study, downloading the least apps (23 each) but using the highest proportion of them regularly (44%). By contrast, 18-24 year olds download the most apps – 37 each – and use just 37% regularly.
In terms of regional variation, Londoners spend the most at £11.89 each, and download more than any other part of the country with an average 39 apps. Those in the South West spend the least, at an average of £4.79, and download just 23.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch, says many apps are downloaded out of curiosity and rarely used, but also blames pop-up adds and hidden costs for the low rate of app use, warning against the risk of accruing huge bills with a large number of low-cost puchases.
“While many apps cost less than £1 to download, these purchases can really mount up so be careful about what you buy", Doku says.
He adds: "It’s easily done and something I would urge British parents to avoid as it can be a costly lesson to learn."
Last month the Office of Fair Trading launched an investigation into "agressive" app-based games targeted at children. The investigation follows several high-profile cases, including that of five-year-old Danny Kitchen who racked up a £1,700 bill in ten minutes while playing a game on his parents' iPad.
A recent study by Microsoft suggested that British children's unauthorised app puchases may be costing parents £30m a month. Apple is currently offering compensation to US parents whose kids have racked up huge bills without their permission.
According to data from consulting firm AppManifesto, more than half - 58 per cent - of apps in the US Appstore are free, with a further 21 per cent costing just 99p.