Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace app catalogue has passed 70,000 apps, reportsTechCrunch.

The platform has gained impetus in recent months following the launch of the first Windows Phone-powered devices from Nokia, and also debuted in China this month.

The Marketplace had 50,000 apps in December last year, rising to 60,000 by January. The range of apps available for Windows Phone will be crucial in the OS making any headway compared to the dominant iOS and Android.

Apple’s App Store is home to more than 500,000 apps, with Google Play (previously Android Market) having more than 370,000. Amazon’s Appstore for Android meanwhile recently reported it hosts more than 31,000 apps.

Microsoft has previously said it is more focused on the quality of the apps on its platform than the quantity.