Independent app retailer GetJar said that it has passed the two billion download mark, which it said is “more than any cross-platform app store.” The company said it is providing a catalogue of more than 150,000 applications, which is growing daily, for more than 2,500 devices powered by Android, BlackBerry, Java, Symbian and the mobile web. The most popular categories for apps are games, social and messaging, entertainment and productivity, with Facebook the most popular app – with more than 100 million downloads.

According to Ilja Laurs (pictured), founder and CEO of the company: “We credit our growth in downloads to our open approach to the app marketplace. Giving developers for all platforms a free space to distribute their applications has proven popular to both developers and consumers.” The company passed the one billion download mark in June 2010.

Earlier this year, GetJar announced a US$25 million investment intended to enable it to “help publishers acquire Android users profitably,” including positioning GetJar as the main, open Android Market alternative. Laurs said that “As we’ve seen Android interest increase, we’ve also seen interest in GetJar increase. With Android exclusives such as Angry Birds and Cut the Rope, GetJar has become an even bigger player in a field of giants and a destination for free Android apps.”