4.1 Positive sentiment analysis

Comments highlighting the simplicity and accessibility of the application, which is key to user retention. Users appreciate apps that offer a complete set of useful tools, especially in the professional and creative context. Some comments show a high level of enthusiasm, especially in fitness and social networking apps, where the emotional connection can be greater. Creative Tools and Health & Fitness oriented apps meet specific needs, which generates a highly positive experience. The positive perception also reflects a strong appreciation for practical features and ease of use, essential elements for user retention in apps in these categories.

4.2 Negative sentiment analysis

The only negative sentiment in the data set highlights a dissatisfaction related to perceived inclusiveness or responsiveness to user suggestions. Although the number of negative comments is low, this aspect of responsiveness could be an area to investigate to better understand user perception in similar contexts.

4.3 Neutral sentiment analysis

Many of the neutral comments seem to focus on descriptive aspects of the applications without a strong opinion. Neutral comments in categories such as Services and Social Networking may reflect an experience that meets basic expectations but does not stand out significantly. Apps in the Services and Social Networking categories have a significant number of neutral comments, which could indicate that they fulfill basic functions without wowing users. This type of sentiment suggests areas of opportunity were improving the experience or adding differentiating features could turn the neutral perception into a positive one.

4.4 Analysis by content type

When segmenting the comments by the type of content of the application, in Creative Tools and Health and Fitness, positive comments predominate, which could be due to the fact that these applications meet specific and clear needs, generating a stronger connection with the users. Comments in the social networking and service categories are mostly neutral, which may reflect less memorable experiences. This suggests that improvement in key aspects, such as interactivity and personalization, could help improve user perception. Satisfaction appears to be closely linked to ease of use, full functionality and practical usefulness, particularly in creative tools and fitness applications. Meanwhile, neutrality prevails in service and social networking applications, where experiences are perceived as satisfying but without a strong emotional connection (see table 2). The analysis suggests that user comments reflect an experience of gratitude and comparison, suggesting that these apps are well positioned in aspects valued by the female audience, such as ease of use and satisfaction with specific functionalities. The presence of comparison and gratitude terms indicates a perception of improvement relative to other options in the market.

The apps analyzed seem to be well aligned with the expectations of the female audience, especially in terms of safety, emotional support, professional and family usefulness. This inclination could explain the prevalence of appreciative comments and favorable comparison with other apps, suggesting that they meet the specific demands and concerns of this audience.

4.5 Thematic analysis

For the thematic analysis, we classified the applications by type and by the problem they solve (see Table 3). We also classified the comments according to the main relevant topics (see Appendix 2).

These applications play essential roles in various aspects of daily life, with a focus on women's empowerment, mental health and inclusion. Regarding empowerment, many of these platforms are aimed at improving women's safety, autonomy, and well-being, whether through support networks, financial tools, or control over risky situations.

On the other hand, there is a clear trend towards mental wellbeing, stress management and the promotion of healthy practices, something that responds to the growing concerns about emotional health in modern society. Some of the applications are aimed at social innovation and sustainability. They address global issues such as food and product waste, promoting responsible consumption and community sharing. Also, several of these apps offer visibility and resources to marginalized groups, such as the African-American community or people with chronic conditions, promoting the inclusion of non-visibilized groups.

Therefore, apps created by women address relevant and specific issues that mainly affect women, such as personal safety, emotional well-being, labor inclusion and responsible consumption. These apps not only offer practical solutions but also amplify the visibility of these issues in society. Women-led apps reflect a distinctive orientation towards gendered problem solving, which contributes to a digital activism approach. This approach highlights the role of technological tools as platforms for female empowerment and gender equity. Apps raise awareness on specific issues, such as gender-based violence and economic inclusion, however, more research is still needed to understand how these efforts could translate into legislative and structural changes. With respect to the analysis based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the apps are organized into different categories, offering digital solutions to specific problems and promoting significant social change in key areas. First, the Security and Empowerment category relates to SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The apps in this category are designed to enhance women's safety and empowerment by providing digital spaces that allow them to move around and make decisions with greater autonomy and protection. For example, one app facilitates access to safe transportation by connecting women users with female drivers, promoting an environment of trust and reducing the risk of incidents. Another app offers support and safety resources for women in situations of violence, providing them with tools and knowledge to act in an informed manner in the face of risks.

The Inclusion and Accessibility category is directly linked to SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities, as these applications seek to break down barriers and promote equity in access to resources and opportunities. Through their functionalities, they facilitate the inclusion and active participation of people with specific needs or language barriers. Another app connects people who are blind or have low vision with volunteers through video calls, allowing them to receive visual assistance in everyday tasks. These applications contribute to reducing inequalities by making services accessible that might otherwise be out of reach for certain groups. In the Sustainability and Circular Economy category, the apps are aligned with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action. These tools encourage responsible consumption and circular economy practices, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing waste and reusing resources. In this regard, an app that allows users to share food and other products that would otherwise be discarded, promoting a culture of waste reduction and recycling, stands out. Similarly, another app allows users to purchase surplus food at reduced prices, which not only benefits consumers, but also helps reduce food waste and supports businesses in managing their inventories. Both apps contribute to a more sustainable economy aligned with climate change mitigation goals. Finally, the Supporting Education and Child Development category responds to SDG 4: Quality Education by providing tools and resources that improve access to inclusive, quality education. For example, a language learning app facilitates the acquisition of new language skills in an accessible and structured way, benefiting both adults and youth. Another app focuses on early childhood development, offering educational content designed to foster learning in the first years of life. These apps not only improve access to education but also promote the personal and professional development of their users, contributing to educational progress in different contexts. Thus, apps developed by women not only address practical needs, but also generate significant social impact by aligning with the SDGs, promoting a more inclusive, safe, sustainable and equitable digital environment. 

4.6. Analysis of propositions

This section presents the analysis of the three theoretical propositions. The findings confirm the role of these initiatives as tools for digital activism, empowerment, and social transformation.

5.1 Contributions

The findings of this study underscore the role of women-led applications as tools of digital activism, bridging the gap between technological innovation and social advocacy. These applications are not only designed to provide practical solutions for gender-specific challenges-such as safety, well-being, and economic inclusion-but also serve as platforms for amplifying women's voices, fostering empowerment, and building supportive communities (Batool et al., 2022; Loney-Howes et al., 2022; Rosca et al., 2020). The thematic analysis revealed that these applications contribute significantly to gender equity and social inclusion, particularly by promoting community engagement, safe digital spaces, and access to critical resources (Topidi & Metcalfe, 2024; Yang & Zhang, 2023). Furthermore, sentiment analysis of user feedback highlights overwhelmingly positive perceptions, reinforcing the idea that these applications enhance digital participation and encourage women to take an active role in shaping their socio-economic environments (Martínez Dy et al., 2017; Martínez Dy, 2019; McAdam et al., 2020).

Another key contribution of this study is its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results indicate that women-led applications actively support SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) (Agarwal et al., 2020; Damiani & Rodríguez-Modroño, 2024). By addressing gender disparities in access to resources, safety, and economic opportunities, these applications contribute to systemic social change beyond individual user experiences. Their scalability potential suggests that with sustained user engagement and appropriate policy support, digital solutions could be further leveraged to drive wider societal impact and institutional change (Alkhaled, 2021).

5.2. Practical and policy implications

While these applications demonstrate high potential for social impact, their long-term sustainability remains a challenge. The effectiveness of digital activism through mobile applications depends not only on initial user adoption but also on continued engagement, financial viability, and institutional support. Sustaining the impact of these initiatives requires strategies that ensure long-term user retention, continuous technological updates, and data security measures to maintain trust and usability (Bauer, 2018; Lafuente et al., 2020). Moreover, the ability of these applications to create meaningful and lasting change is influenced by external factors such as digital literacy, internet accessibility, and socio-political environments that either support or limit their reach (Bullough et al., 2022).

From a policy perspective, the scalability and financial sustainability of women-led applications face critical challenges. Access to funding remains a significant barrier, as many female-founded digital ventures struggle to secure investment compared to male-led counterparts (Audretsch et al., 2022; Xu et al., 2024). Public policies that promote gender-inclusive investment strategies and funding initiatives targeted at social impact-driven tech ventures could provide much-needed support to these applications, allowing them to grow and reach underserved communities. Additionally, governmental and institutional partnerships could enhance the credibility and integration of these applications into broader public service initiatives, such as education programs, health services, or gender-based violence prevention strategies (Jennings & Brush, 2013; Harrison et al., 2020; Lafuente et al., 2023; Xu et al., 2024).

Another crucial challenge is the lack of regulatory frameworks and policies that facilitate the integration of digital solutions into long-term social programs (Acs et al., 2022). Governments and organizations should consider developing policies that support the adoption of women-led digital solutions in mainstream public services, ensuring that these tools are not just standalone applications but integrated components of national and local strategies for gender equity and social development. This includes policies that reduce technological access barriers, such as increasing internet affordability, improving digital literacy, and providing tax incentives or grants to sustain non-profit-oriented applications that generate high social impact (McAdam et al., 2019).

5.3. Challenges and future research directions

Despite their transformative potential, women-led applications face structural, financial, and technological challenges that may limit their long-term impact. Ensuring continued user engagement requires not only regular updates and improved functionalities but also a sense of community and trust among users to maintain adoption rates. Furthermore, while these applications excel at raising awareness and providing solutions to gender-specific issues, further research is needed to assess their long-term behavioral and policy impact.

Future studies should explore the effectiveness of these applications in shaping institutional responses and influencing policy changes at local, national, and global levels. Additionally, there is a need to investigate how digital entrepreneurship policies could be restructured to provide more inclusive opportunities for women-led ventures, ensuring that these initiatives have access to sustainable funding models, international collaborations, and regulatory protections.