An application distribution method, comprising: sending, by a first terminal, a distribution request carrying a first user identifier, a requested service category and a hardware feature and/or a software feature of the terminal to an application distribution server; when the distribution request satisfies a preset criterion of the application distribution server which includes that the requested service category belongs to a service category included in the application distribution server, and the hardware feature and/or a software feature of the terminal is the same as a set hardware feature and/or a software feature at the application distribution server, receiving, by the first terminal, at least one propagation code sent by the application distribution server; and sending the propagation code to a second terminal, so that the second terminal applies, according to the propagation code, to the application distribution server for installation and registration of an application and running and tracking of the application; the method further comprising: acquiring, by the second terminal, a propagation code released by a first terminal; sending, by the second terminal, a registration request to an application distribution server to apply for installation and registration of an application, wherein the registration request at least carries the propagation code and a second user identifier; and after the registration is successful and whenever the application runs, sending, by the second terminal, a running and tracking request to the application distribution server, wherein the running and tracking request at least carries the propagation code and the second user identifier characterized in that the propagation code is used for identifying a category of an application, describing a feature of the application and identifying the first user identifier, which is used for indicating from which terminal the propagation code is propagated, and a propagation sequence number which is identifier information generated by the application distribution server. sending, by a first terminal, a distribution request carrying a first user identifier, a requested service category and a hardware feature and/or a software feature of the terminal to an application distribution server; when the distribution request satisfies a preset criterion of the application distribution server which includes that the requested service category belongs to a service category included in the application distribution server, and the hardware feature and/or a software feature of the terminal is the same as a set hardware feature and/or a software feature at the application distribution server, receiving, by the first terminal, at least one propagation code sent by the application distribution server; and sending the propagation code to a second terminal, so that the second terminal applies, according to the propagation code, to the application distribution server for installation and registration of an application and running and tracking of the application; acquiring, by the second terminal, a propagation code released by a first terminal; sending, by the second terminal, a registration request to an application distribution server to apply for installation and registration of an application, wherein the registration request at least carries the propagation code and a second user identifier; and after the registration is successful and whenever the application runs, sending, by the second terminal, a running and tracking request to the application distribution server, wherein the running and tracking request at least carries the propagation code and the second user identifier characterized in that the propagation code is used for identifying a category of an application, describing a feature of the application and identifying the first user identifier, which is used for indicating from which terminal the propagation code is propagated, and a propagation sequence number which is identifier information generated by the application distribution server.