diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 3a2f9ee0f..14bb8570b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -42,38 +42,6 @@ jobs:
           key: ${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-tm-binary
         if: env.GIT_DIFF
 
-  test_abci_apps:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs: build
-    timeout-minutes: 5
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/setup-go@v2
-        with:
-          go-version: "1.16"
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v2.3.4
-      - uses: technote-space/get-diff-action@v4
-        with:
-          PATTERNS: |
-            **/**.go
-            go.mod
-            go.sum
-      - uses: actions/cache@v2.1.6
-        with:
-          path: ~/go/pkg/mod
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-go-${{ hashFiles('**/go.sum') }}
-          restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-go-
-        if: env.GIT_DIFF
-      - uses: actions/cache@v2.1.6
-        with:
-          path: ~/go/bin
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-tm-binary
-        if: env.GIT_DIFF
-      - name: test_abci_apps
-        run: abci/tests/test_app/test.sh
-        shell: bash
-        if: env.GIT_DIFF
-
   test_abci_cli:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: build
diff --git a/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md b/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md
index 7c4f4cbc4..630f3b992 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Friendly reminder: We have a [bug bounty program](https://hackerone.com/tendermi
   - [ABCI] \#5818 Use protoio for msg length delimitation. Migrates from int64 to uint64 length delimiters.
   - [Version] \#6494 `TMCoreSemVer` has been renamed to `TMVersion`.
     - It is not required any longer to set ldflags to set version strings
+  - [abci/counter] \#6684 Delete counter example app
 
 - P2P Protocol
 
diff --git a/abci/cmd/abci-cli/abci-cli.go b/abci/cmd/abci-cli/abci-cli.go
index 3f23beb87..b9af27e22 100644
--- a/abci/cmd/abci-cli/abci-cli.go
+++ b/abci/cmd/abci-cli/abci-cli.go
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import (
 
 	abcicli "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/client"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/code"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/counter"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/kvstore"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/server"
 	servertest "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/tests/server"
@@ -47,9 +46,6 @@ var (
 	flagHeight int
 	flagProve  bool
 
-	// counter
-	flagSerial bool
-
 	// kvstore
 	flagPersist string
 )
@@ -61,9 +57,7 @@ var RootCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	PersistentPreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 		switch cmd.Use {
-		case "counter", "kvstore": // for the examples apps, don't pre-run
-			return nil
-		case "version": // skip running for version command
+		case "kvstore", "version":
 			return nil
 		}
 
@@ -135,10 +129,6 @@ func addQueryFlags() {
 		"whether or not to return a merkle proof of the query result")
 }
 
-func addCounterFlags() {
-	counterCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVarP(&flagSerial, "serial", "", false, "enforce incrementing (serial) transactions")
-}
-
 func addKVStoreFlags() {
 	kvstoreCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&flagPersist, "persist", "", "", "directory to use for a database")
 }
@@ -157,8 +147,6 @@ func addCommands() {
 	RootCmd.AddCommand(queryCmd)
 
 	// examples
-	addCounterFlags()
-	RootCmd.AddCommand(counterCmd)
 	addKVStoreFlags()
 	RootCmd.AddCommand(kvstoreCmd)
 }
@@ -258,14 +246,6 @@ var queryCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	RunE:  cmdQuery,
 }
 
-var counterCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use:   "counter",
-	Short: "ABCI demo example",
-	Long:  "ABCI demo example",
-	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(0),
-	RunE:  cmdCounter,
-}
-
 var kvstoreCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "kvstore",
 	Short: "ABCI demo example",
@@ -593,32 +573,6 @@ func cmdQuery(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func cmdCounter(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-	app := counter.NewApplication(flagSerial)
-	logger := log.MustNewDefaultLogger(log.LogFormatPlain, log.LogLevelInfo, false)
-
-	// Start the listener
-	srv, err := server.NewServer(flagAddress, flagAbci, app)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	srv.SetLogger(logger.With("module", "abci-server"))
-	if err := srv.Start(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	// Stop upon receiving SIGTERM or CTRL-C.
-	tmos.TrapSignal(logger, func() {
-		// Cleanup
-		if err := srv.Stop(); err != nil {
-			logger.Error("Error while stopping server", "err", err)
-		}
-	})
-
-	// Run forever.
-	select {}
-}
-
 func cmdKVStore(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	logger := log.MustNewDefaultLogger(log.LogFormatPlain, log.LogLevelInfo, false)
 
diff --git a/abci/example/counter/counter.go b/abci/example/counter/counter.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 221fb12bd..000000000
--- a/abci/example/counter/counter.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,86 +0,0 @@
-package counter
-
-import (
-	"encoding/binary"
-	"fmt"
-
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/code"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
-)
-
-type Application struct {
-	types.BaseApplication
-
-	hashCount int
-	txCount   int
-	serial    bool
-}
-
-func NewApplication(serial bool) *Application {
-	return &Application{serial: serial}
-}
-
-func (app *Application) Info(req types.RequestInfo) types.ResponseInfo {
-	return types.ResponseInfo{Data: fmt.Sprintf("{\"hashes\":%v,\"txs\":%v}", app.hashCount, app.txCount)}
-}
-
-func (app *Application) DeliverTx(req types.RequestDeliverTx) types.ResponseDeliverTx {
-	if app.serial {
-		if len(req.Tx) > 8 {
-			return types.ResponseDeliverTx{
-				Code: code.CodeTypeEncodingError,
-				Log:  fmt.Sprintf("Max tx size is 8 bytes, got %d", len(req.Tx))}
-		}
-		tx8 := make([]byte, 8)
-		copy(tx8[len(tx8)-len(req.Tx):], req.Tx)
-		txValue := binary.BigEndian.Uint64(tx8)
-		if txValue != uint64(app.txCount) {
-			return types.ResponseDeliverTx{
-				Code: code.CodeTypeBadNonce,
-				Log:  fmt.Sprintf("Invalid nonce. Expected %v, got %v", app.txCount, txValue)}
-		}
-	}
-	app.txCount++
-	return types.ResponseDeliverTx{Code: code.CodeTypeOK}
-}
-
-func (app *Application) CheckTx(req types.RequestCheckTx) types.ResponseCheckTx {
-	if app.serial {
-		if len(req.Tx) > 8 {
-			return types.ResponseCheckTx{
-				Code: code.CodeTypeEncodingError,
-				Log:  fmt.Sprintf("Max tx size is 8 bytes, got %d", len(req.Tx))}
-		}
-
-		tx8 := make([]byte, 8)
-		copy(tx8[len(tx8)-len(req.Tx):], req.Tx)
-		txValue := binary.BigEndian.Uint64(tx8)
-		if txValue < uint64(app.txCount) {
-			return types.ResponseCheckTx{
-				Code: code.CodeTypeBadNonce,
-				Log:  fmt.Sprintf("Invalid nonce. Expected >= %v, got %v", app.txCount, txValue)}
-		}
-	}
-	return types.ResponseCheckTx{Code: code.CodeTypeOK}
-}
-
-func (app *Application) Commit() (resp types.ResponseCommit) {
-	app.hashCount++
-	if app.txCount == 0 {
-		return types.ResponseCommit{}
-	}
-	hash := make([]byte, 8)
-	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(hash, uint64(app.txCount))
-	return types.ResponseCommit{Data: hash}
-}
-
-func (app *Application) Query(reqQuery types.RequestQuery) types.ResponseQuery {
-	switch reqQuery.Path {
-	case "hash":
-		return types.ResponseQuery{Value: []byte(fmt.Sprintf("%v", app.hashCount))}
-	case "tx":
-		return types.ResponseQuery{Value: []byte(fmt.Sprintf("%v", app.txCount))}
-	default:
-		return types.ResponseQuery{Log: fmt.Sprintf("Invalid query path. Expected hash or tx, got %v", reqQuery.Path)}
-	}
-}
diff --git a/abci/tests/test_app/app.go b/abci/tests/test_app/app.go
deleted file mode 100644
index faf4885de..000000000
--- a/abci/tests/test_app/app.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,55 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
-
-	abcicli "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/client"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/libs/log"
-)
-
-var ctx = context.Background()
-
-func startClient(abciType string) abcicli.Client {
-	// Start client
-	client, err := abcicli.NewClient("tcp://127.0.0.1:26658", abciType, true)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err.Error())
-	}
-	logger := log.MustNewDefaultLogger(log.LogFormatPlain, log.LogLevelInfo, false)
-	client.SetLogger(logger.With("module", "abcicli"))
-	if err := client.Start(); err != nil {
-		panicf("connecting to abci_app: %v", err.Error())
-	}
-
-	return client
-}
-
-func commit(client abcicli.Client, hashExp []byte) {
-	res, err := client.CommitSync(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		panicf("client error: %v", err)
-	}
-	if !bytes.Equal(res.Data, hashExp) {
-		panicf("Commit hash was unexpected. Got %X expected %X", res.Data, hashExp)
-	}
-}
-
-func deliverTx(client abcicli.Client, txBytes []byte, codeExp uint32, dataExp []byte) {
-	res, err := client.DeliverTxSync(ctx, types.RequestDeliverTx{Tx: txBytes})
-	if err != nil {
-		panicf("client error: %v", err)
-	}
-	if res.Code != codeExp {
-		panicf("DeliverTx response code was unexpected. Got %v expected %v. Log: %v", res.Code, codeExp, res.Log)
-	}
-	if !bytes.Equal(res.Data, dataExp) {
-		panicf("DeliverTx response data was unexpected. Got %X expected %X", res.Data, dataExp)
-	}
-}
-
-func panicf(format string, a ...interface{}) {
-	panic(fmt.Sprintf(format, a...))
-}
diff --git a/abci/tests/test_app/main.go b/abci/tests/test_app/main.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 011793888..000000000
--- a/abci/tests/test_app/main.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,93 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"log"
-	"os"
-	"os/exec"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
-)
-
-var abciType string
-
-func init() {
-	abciType = os.Getenv("ABCI")
-	if abciType == "" {
-		abciType = "socket"
-	}
-}
-
-func main() {
-	testCounter()
-}
-
-const (
-	maxABCIConnectTries = 10
-)
-
-func ensureABCIIsUp(typ string, n int) error {
-	var err error
-	cmdString := "abci-cli echo hello"
-	if typ == "grpc" {
-		cmdString = "abci-cli --abci grpc echo hello"
-	}
-
-	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
-		cmd := exec.Command("bash", "-c", cmdString)
-		_, err = cmd.CombinedOutput()
-		if err == nil {
-			break
-		}
-		time.Sleep(500 * time.Millisecond)
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
-func testCounter() {
-	abciApp := os.Getenv("ABCI_APP")
-	if abciApp == "" {
-		panic("No ABCI_APP specified")
-	}
-
-	fmt.Printf("Running %s test with abci=%s\n", abciApp, abciType)
-	subCommand := fmt.Sprintf("abci-cli %s", abciApp)
-	cmd := exec.Command("bash", "-c", subCommand)
-	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
-	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("starting %q err: %v", abciApp, err)
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := cmd.Process.Kill(); err != nil {
-			log.Printf("error on process kill: %v", err)
-		}
-		if err := cmd.Wait(); err != nil {
-			log.Printf("error while waiting for cmd to exit: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	if err := ensureABCIIsUp(abciType, maxABCIConnectTries); err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("echo failed: %v", err) //nolint:gocritic
-	}
-
-	client := startClient(abciType)
-	defer func() {
-		if err := client.Stop(); err != nil {
-			log.Printf("error trying client stop: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	// commit(client, nil)
-	// deliverTx(client, []byte("abc"), code.CodeTypeBadNonce, nil)
-	commit(client, nil)
-	deliverTx(client, []byte{0x00}, types.CodeTypeOK, nil)
-	commit(client, []byte{0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1})
-	// deliverTx(client, []byte{0x00}, code.CodeTypeBadNonce, nil)
-	deliverTx(client, []byte{0x01}, types.CodeTypeOK, nil)
-	deliverTx(client, []byte{0x00, 0x02}, types.CodeTypeOK, nil)
-	deliverTx(client, []byte{0x00, 0x03}, types.CodeTypeOK, nil)
-	deliverTx(client, []byte{0x00, 0x00, 0x04}, types.CodeTypeOK, nil)
-	// deliverTx(client, []byte{0x00, 0x00, 0x06}, code.CodeTypeBadNonce, nil)
-	commit(client, []byte{0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 5})
-}
diff --git a/abci/tests/test_app/test.sh b/abci/tests/test_app/test.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index 0d8301831..000000000
--- a/abci/tests/test_app/test.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-#! /bin/bash
-set -e
-
-# These tests spawn the counter app and server by execing the ABCI_APP command and run some simple client tests against it
-
-# Get the directory of where this script is.
-export PATH="$GOBIN:$PATH"
-SOURCE="${BASH_SOURCE[0]}"
-while [ -h "$SOURCE" ] ; do SOURCE="$(readlink "$SOURCE")"; done
-DIR="$( cd -P "$( dirname "$SOURCE" )" && pwd )"
-
-# Change into that dir because we expect that.
-cd "$DIR"
-
-echo "RUN COUNTER OVER SOCKET"
-# test golang counter
-ABCI_APP="counter" go run -mod=readonly ./*.go
-echo "----------------------"
-
-
-echo "RUN COUNTER OVER GRPC"
-# test golang counter via grpc
-ABCI_APP="counter --abci=grpc" ABCI="grpc" go run -mod=readonly ./*.go
-echo "----------------------"
-
-# test nodejs counter
-# TODO: fix node app
-#ABCI_APP="node $GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/js-abci/example/app.js" go test -test.run TestCounter
diff --git a/abci/tests/test_cli/test.sh b/abci/tests/test_cli/test.sh
index cc880603d..9c02ce6f5 100755
--- a/abci/tests/test_cli/test.sh
+++ b/abci/tests/test_cli/test.sh
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ function testExample() {
 }
 
 testExample 1 tests/test_cli/ex1.abci abci-cli kvstore
-testExample 2 tests/test_cli/ex2.abci abci-cli counter
 
 echo ""
 echo "PASS"
diff --git a/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go b/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go
index 6f4814680..1c68fcffe 100644
--- a/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go
+++ b/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go
@@ -48,9 +48,7 @@ func AddNodeFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
 		"proxy-app",
 		config.ProxyApp,
 		"proxy app address, or one of: 'kvstore',"+
-			" 'persistent_kvstore',"+
-			" 'counter',"+
-			" 'counter_serial' or 'noop' for local testing.")
+			" 'persistent_kvstore' or 'noop' for local testing.")
 	cmd.Flags().String("abci", config.ABCI, "specify abci transport (socket | grpc)")
 
 	// rpc flags
diff --git a/docs/app-dev/abci-cli.md b/docs/app-dev/abci-cli.md
index d558e8cf1..cc0afdc55 100644
--- a/docs/app-dev/abci-cli.md
+++ b/docs/app-dev/abci-cli.md
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ Available Commands:
   check_tx    Validate a tx
   commit      Commit the application state and return the Merkle root hash
   console     Start an interactive abci console for multiple commands
-  counter     ABCI demo example
   deliver_tx  Deliver a new tx to the application
   kvstore     ABCI demo example
   echo        Have the application echo a message
@@ -214,137 +213,9 @@ we do `deliver_tx "abc=efg"` it will store `(abc, efg)`.
 Similarly, you could put the commands in a file and run
 `abci-cli --verbose batch < myfile`.
 
-## Counter - Another Example
-
-Now that we've got the hang of it, let's try another application, the
-"counter" app.
-
-Like the kvstore app, its code can be found
-[here](https://github.com/tendermint/tendermint/blob/master/abci/cmd/abci-cli/abci-cli.go)
-and looks like:
-
-```go
-func cmdCounter(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-
-    app := counter.NewCounterApplication(flagSerial)
-
-    logger := log.NewTMLogger(log.NewSyncWriter(os.Stdout))
-
-    // Start the listener
-    srv, err := server.NewServer(flagAddrC, flagAbci, app)
-    if err != nil {
-        return err
-    }
-    srv.SetLogger(logger.With("module", "abci-server"))
-    if err := srv.Start(); err != nil {
-        return err
-    }
-
-    // Stop upon receiving SIGTERM or CTRL-C.
-    tmos.TrapSignal(logger, func() {
-        // Cleanup
-        srv.Stop()
-    })
-
-    // Run forever.
-    select {}
-}
-```
-
-The counter app doesn't use a Merkle tree, it just counts how many times
-we've sent a transaction, asked for a hash, or committed the state. The
-result of `commit` is just the number of transactions sent.
-
-This application has two modes: `serial=off` and `serial=on`.
-
-When `serial=on`, transactions must be a big-endian encoded incrementing
-integer, starting at 0.
-
-If `serial=off`, there are no restrictions on transactions.
-
-We can toggle the value of `serial` using the `set_option` ABCI message.
-
-When `serial=on`, some transactions are invalid. In a live blockchain,
-transactions collect in memory before they are committed into blocks. To
-avoid wasting resources on invalid transactions, ABCI provides the
-`check_tx` message, which application developers can use to accept or
-reject transactions, before they are stored in memory or gossipped to
-other peers.
-
-In this instance of the counter app, `check_tx` only allows transactions
-whose integer is greater than the last committed one.
-
-Let's kill the console and the kvstore application, and start the
-counter app:
-
-```sh
-abci-cli counter
-```
-
-In another window, start the `abci-cli console`:
-
-```sh
-
-> check_tx 0x00
--> code: OK
-
-> check_tx 0xff
--> code: OK
-
-> deliver_tx 0x00
--> code: OK
-
-> check_tx 0x00
--> code: BadNonce
--> log: Invalid nonce. Expected >= 1, got 0
-
-> deliver_tx 0x01
--> code: OK
-
-> deliver_tx 0x04
--> code: BadNonce
--> log: Invalid nonce. Expected 2, got 4
-
-> info
--> code: OK
--> data: {"hashes":0,"txs":2}
--> data.hex: 0x7B22686173686573223A302C22747873223A327D
-```
-
-This is a very simple application, but between `counter` and `kvstore`,
-its easy to see how you can build out arbitrary application states on
-top of the ABCI. [Hyperledger's
-Burrow](https://github.com/hyperledger/burrow) also runs atop ABCI,
-bringing with it Ethereum-like accounts, the Ethereum virtual-machine,
-Monax's permissioning scheme, and native contracts extensions.
-
-But the ultimate flexibility comes from being able to write the
-application easily in any language.
-
-We have implemented the counter in a number of languages [see the
-example directory](https://github.com/tendermint/tendermint/tree/master/abci/example).
-
-To run the Node.js version, fist download & install [the Javascript ABCI server](https://github.com/tendermint/js-abci):
-
-```sh
-git clone https://github.com/tendermint/js-abci.git
-cd js-abci
-npm install abci
-```
-
-Now you can start the app:
-
-```sh
-node example/counter.js
-```
-
-(you'll have to kill the other counter application process). In another
-window, run the console and those previous ABCI commands. You should get
-the same results as for the Go version.
-
 ## Bounties
 
-Want to write the counter app in your favorite language?! We'd be happy
+Want to write an app in your favorite language?! We'd be happy
 to add you to our [ecosystem](https://github.com/tendermint/awesome#ecosystem)!
 See [funding](https://github.com/interchainio/funding) opportunities from the
 [Interchain Foundation](https://interchain.io/) for implementations in new languages and more.
diff --git a/docs/app-dev/getting-started.md b/docs/app-dev/getting-started.md
index 7d261ae25..3ffa3a0fa 100644
--- a/docs/app-dev/getting-started.md
+++ b/docs/app-dev/getting-started.md
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ cd $GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint
 make install_abci
 ```
 
-Now you should have the `abci-cli` installed; you'll see a couple of
-commands (`counter` and `kvstore`) that are example applications written
+Now you should have the `abci-cli` installed; you'll notice the `kvstore`
+command, an example application written
 in Go. See below for an application written in JavaScript.
 
 Now, let's run some apps!
@@ -165,92 +165,6 @@ curl -s 'localhost:26657/abci_query?data="name"'
 Try some other transactions and queries to make sure everything is
 working!
 
-## Counter - Another Example
-
-Now that we've got the hang of it, let's try another application, the
-`counter` app.
-
-The counter app doesn't use a Merkle tree, it just counts how many times
-we've sent a transaction, or committed the state.
-
-This application has two modes: `serial=off` and `serial=on`.
-
-When `serial=on`, transactions must be a big-endian encoded incrementing
-integer, starting at 0.
-
-If `serial=off`, there are no restrictions on transactions.
-
-In a live blockchain, transactions collect in memory before they are
-committed into blocks. To avoid wasting resources on invalid
-transactions, ABCI provides the `CheckTx` message, which application
-developers can use to accept or reject transactions, before they are
-stored in memory or gossipped to other peers.
-
-In this instance of the counter app, with `serial=on`, `CheckTx` only
-allows transactions whose integer is greater than the last committed
-one.
-
-Let's kill the previous instance of `tendermint` and the `kvstore`
-application, and start the counter app. We can enable `serial=on` with a
-flag:
-
-```sh
-abci-cli counter --serial
-```
-
-In another window, reset then start Tendermint:
-
-```sh
-tendermint unsafe_reset_all
-tendermint start
-```
-
-Once again, you can see the blocks streaming by. Let's send some
-transactions. Since we have set `serial=on`, the first transaction must
-be the number `0`:
-
-```sh
-curl localhost:26657/broadcast_tx_commit?tx=0x00
-```
-
-Note the empty (hence successful) response. The next transaction must be
-the number `1`. If instead, we try to send a `5`, we get an error:
-
-```json
-> curl localhost:26657/broadcast_tx_commit?tx=0x05
-{
-  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
-  "id": "",
-  "result": {
-    "check_tx": {},
-    "deliver_tx": {
-      "code": 2,
-      "log": "Invalid nonce. Expected 1, got 5"
-    },
-    "hash": "33B93DFF98749B0D6996A70F64071347060DC19C",
-    "height": 34
-  }
-}
-```
-
-But if we send a `1`, it works again:
-
-```json
-> curl localhost:26657/broadcast_tx_commit?tx=0x01
-{
-  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
-  "id": "",
-  "result": {
-    "check_tx": {},
-    "deliver_tx": {},
-    "hash": "F17854A977F6FA7EEA1BD758E296710B86F72F3D",
-    "height": 60
-  }
-}
-```
-
-For more details on the `broadcast_tx` API, see [the guide on using
-Tendermint](../tendermint-core/using-tendermint.md).
 
 ## CounterJS - Example in Another Language
 
diff --git a/internal/consensus/byzantine_test.go b/internal/consensus/byzantine_test.go
index 53241dee1..1c6ec858b 100644
--- a/internal/consensus/byzantine_test.go
+++ b/internal/consensus/byzantine_test.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func TestByzantinePrevoteEquivocation(t *testing.T) {
 	prevoteHeight := int64(2)
 	testName := "consensus_byzantine_test"
 	tickerFunc := newMockTickerFunc(true)
-	appFunc := newCounter
+	appFunc := newKVStore
 
 	genDoc, privVals := factory.RandGenesisDoc(config, nValidators, false, 30)
 	states := make([]*State, nValidators)
diff --git a/internal/consensus/common_test.go b/internal/consensus/common_test.go
index 6c97e87c9..26170f3bc 100644
--- a/internal/consensus/common_test.go
+++ b/internal/consensus/common_test.go
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import (
 	dbm "github.com/tendermint/tm-db"
 
 	abcicli "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/client"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/counter"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/kvstore"
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 	cfg "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/config"
@@ -449,7 +448,7 @@ func randState(config *cfg.Config, nValidators int) (*State, []*validatorStub) {
 
 	vss := make([]*validatorStub, nValidators)
 
-	cs := newState(state, privVals[0], counter.NewApplication(true))
+	cs := newState(state, privVals[0], kvstore.NewApplication())
 
 	for i := 0; i < nValidators; i++ {
 		vss[i] = newValidatorStub(privVals[i], int32(i))
@@ -862,10 +861,6 @@ func (m *mockTicker) Chan() <-chan timeoutInfo {
 
 func (*mockTicker) SetLogger(log.Logger) {}
 
-func newCounter() abci.Application {
-	return counter.NewApplication(true)
-}
-
 func newPersistentKVStore() abci.Application {
 	dir, err := ioutil.TempDir("", "persistent-kvstore")
 	if err != nil {
@@ -874,6 +869,10 @@ func newPersistentKVStore() abci.Application {
 	return kvstore.NewPersistentKVStoreApplication(dir)
 }
 
+func newKVStore() abci.Application {
+	return kvstore.NewApplication()
+}
+
 func newPersistentKVStoreWithPath(dbDir string) abci.Application {
 	return kvstore.NewPersistentKVStoreApplication(dbDir)
 }
diff --git a/internal/consensus/invalid_test.go b/internal/consensus/invalid_test.go
index fa5bc2ead..6f858ee11 100644
--- a/internal/consensus/invalid_test.go
+++ b/internal/consensus/invalid_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ func TestReactorInvalidPrecommit(t *testing.T) {
 	config := configSetup(t)
 
 	n := 4
-	states, cleanup := randConsensusState(t, config, n, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	states, cleanup := randConsensusState(t,
+		config, n, "consensus_reactor_test",
+		newMockTickerFunc(true), newKVStore)
 	t.Cleanup(cleanup)
 
 	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
diff --git a/internal/consensus/reactor_test.go b/internal/consensus/reactor_test.go
index 9ba67658e..bdfb333a1 100644
--- a/internal/consensus/reactor_test.go
+++ b/internal/consensus/reactor_test.go
@@ -257,7 +257,9 @@ func TestReactorBasic(t *testing.T) {
 	config := configSetup(t)
 
 	n := 4
-	states, cleanup := randConsensusState(t, config, n, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	states, cleanup := randConsensusState(t,
+		config, n, "consensus_reactor_test",
+		newMockTickerFunc(true), newKVStore)
 	t.Cleanup(cleanup)
 
 	rts := setup(t, n, states, 100) // buffer must be large enough to not deadlock
@@ -287,7 +289,7 @@ func TestReactorWithEvidence(t *testing.T) {
 	n := 4
 	testName := "consensus_reactor_test"
 	tickerFunc := newMockTickerFunc(true)
-	appFunc := newCounter
+	appFunc := newKVStore
 
 	genDoc, privVals := factory.RandGenesisDoc(config, n, false, 30)
 	states := make([]*State, n)
@@ -387,7 +389,7 @@ func TestReactorCreatesBlockWhenEmptyBlocksFalse(t *testing.T) {
 		n,
 		"consensus_reactor_test",
 		newMockTickerFunc(true),
-		newCounter,
+		newKVStore,
 		func(c *cfg.Config) {
 			c.Consensus.CreateEmptyBlocks = false
 		},
@@ -431,7 +433,9 @@ func TestReactorRecordsVotesAndBlockParts(t *testing.T) {
 	config := configSetup(t)
 
 	n := 4
-	states, cleanup := randConsensusState(t, config, n, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	states, cleanup := randConsensusState(t,
+		config, n, "consensus_reactor_test",
+		newMockTickerFunc(true), newKVStore)
 	t.Cleanup(cleanup)
 
 	rts := setup(t, n, states, 100) // buffer must be large enough to not deadlock
diff --git a/internal/consensus/state_test.go b/internal/consensus/state_test.go
index a568f4eab..b088e2ac7 100644
--- a/internal/consensus/state_test.go
+++ b/internal/consensus/state_test.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/counter"
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/kvstore"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/tmhash"
 	cstypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/internal/consensus/types"
 	p2pmock "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/internal/p2p/mock"
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ func TestStateLockPOLRelock(t *testing.T) {
 	signAddVotes(config, cs1, tmproto.PrecommitType, nil, types.PartSetHeader{}, vs2, vs3, vs4)
 
 	// before we timeout to the new round set the new proposal
-	cs2 := newState(cs1.state, vs2, counter.NewApplication(true))
+	cs2 := newState(cs1.state, vs2, kvstore.NewApplication())
 	prop, propBlock := decideProposal(cs2, vs2, vs2.Height, vs2.Round+1)
 	if prop == nil || propBlock == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Failed to create proposal block with vs2")
@@ -843,7 +843,7 @@ func TestStateLockPOLUnlockOnUnknownBlock(t *testing.T) {
 	signAddVotes(config, cs1, tmproto.PrecommitType, nil, types.PartSetHeader{}, vs2, vs3, vs4)
 
 	// before we timeout to the new round set the new proposal
-	cs2 := newState(cs1.state, vs2, counter.NewApplication(true))
+	cs2 := newState(cs1.state, vs2, kvstore.NewApplication())
 	prop, propBlock := decideProposal(cs2, vs2, vs2.Height, vs2.Round+1)
 	if prop == nil || propBlock == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Failed to create proposal block with vs2")
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@ func TestStateLockPOLUnlockOnUnknownBlock(t *testing.T) {
 	signAddVotes(config, cs1, tmproto.PrecommitType, nil, types.PartSetHeader{}, vs2, vs3, vs4)
 
 	// before we timeout to the new round set the new proposal
-	cs3 := newState(cs1.state, vs3, counter.NewApplication(true))
+	cs3 := newState(cs1.state, vs3, kvstore.NewApplication())
 	prop, propBlock = decideProposal(cs3, vs3, vs3.Height, vs3.Round+1)
 	if prop == nil || propBlock == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Failed to create proposal block with vs2")
diff --git a/internal/mempool/v0/clist_mempool_test.go b/internal/mempool/v0/clist_mempool_test.go
index d48d03e64..65a1b123e 100644
--- a/internal/mempool/v0/clist_mempool_test.go
+++ b/internal/mempool/v0/clist_mempool_test.go
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/counter"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/kvstore"
 	abciserver "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/server"
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
@@ -217,7 +216,7 @@ func TestMempoolUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMempool_KeepInvalidTxsInCache(t *testing.T) {
-	app := counter.NewApplication(true)
+	app := kvstore.NewApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
 	wcfg := cfg.DefaultConfig()
 	wcfg.Mempool.KeepInvalidTxsInCache = true
@@ -309,7 +308,7 @@ func TestTxsAvailable(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestSerialReap(t *testing.T) {
-	app := counter.NewApplication(true)
+	app := kvstore.NewApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
 
 	mp, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
@@ -508,7 +507,7 @@ func TestMempoolTxsBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// 6. zero after tx is rechecked and removed due to not being valid anymore
-	app2 := counter.NewApplication(true)
+	app2 := kvstore.NewApplication()
 	cc = proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app2)
 	mp, cleanup = newMempoolWithApp(cc)
 	defer cleanup()
@@ -540,16 +539,16 @@ func TestMempoolTxsBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	// Pretend like we committed nothing so txBytes gets rechecked and removed.
 	err = mp.Update(1, []types.Tx{}, abciResponses(0, abci.CodeTypeOK), nil, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 0, mp.SizeBytes())
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 8, mp.SizeBytes())
 
 	// 7. Test RemoveTxByKey function
 	err = mp.CheckTx(context.Background(), []byte{0x06}, nil, mempool.TxInfo{})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 1, mp.SizeBytes())
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 9, mp.SizeBytes())
 	mp.RemoveTxByKey(mempool.TxKey([]byte{0x07}), true)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 1, mp.SizeBytes())
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 9, mp.SizeBytes())
 	mp.RemoveTxByKey(mempool.TxKey([]byte{0x06}), true)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 0, mp.SizeBytes())
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 8, mp.SizeBytes())
 
 }
 
diff --git a/proxy/client.go b/proxy/client.go
index 2fa251940..928af3cc3 100644
--- a/proxy/client.go
+++ b/proxy/client.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"io"
 
 	abcicli "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/client"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/counter"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/example/kvstore"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 	tmsync "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/internal/libs/sync"
@@ -68,17 +67,13 @@ func (r *remoteClientCreator) NewABCIClient() (abcicli.Client, error) {
 }
 
 // DefaultClientCreator returns a default ClientCreator, which will create a
-// local client if addr is one of: 'counter', 'counter_serial', 'kvstore',
+// local client if addr is one of: 'kvstore',
 // 'persistent_kvstore' or 'noop', otherwise - a remote client.
 //
 // The Closer is a noop except for persistent_kvstore applications,
 // which will clean up the store.
 func DefaultClientCreator(addr, transport, dbDir string) (ClientCreator, io.Closer) {
 	switch addr {
-	case "counter":
-		return NewLocalClientCreator(counter.NewApplication(false)), noopCloser{}
-	case "counter_serial":
-		return NewLocalClientCreator(counter.NewApplication(true)), noopCloser{}
 	case "kvstore":
 		return NewLocalClientCreator(kvstore.NewApplication()), noopCloser{}
 	case "persistent_kvstore":
diff --git a/test/README.md b/test/README.md
index 230b7339c..18839f0cd 100644
--- a/test/README.md
+++ b/test/README.md
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ and run the following tests in docker containers:
     - includes test coverage
 - app tests
     - kvstore app over socket
-    - counter app over socket
-    - counter app over grpc
 - persistence tests
     - crash tendermint at each of many predefined points, restart, and ensure it syncs properly with the app
 
diff --git a/test/app/test.sh b/test/app/test.sh
index 67fb2d9b6..6896ee5f8 100755
--- a/test/app/test.sh
+++ b/test/app/test.sh
@@ -2,9 +2,6 @@
 set -ex
 
 #- kvstore over socket, curl
-#- counter over socket, curl
-#- counter over grpc, curl
-#- counter over grpc, grpc
 
 # TODO: install everything
 
@@ -45,57 +42,6 @@ function kvstore_over_socket_reorder(){
     kill -9 $pid_kvstore $pid_tendermint
 }
 
-
-function counter_over_socket() {
-    rm -rf $TMHOME
-    tendermint init validator
-    echo "Starting counter_over_socket"
-    abci-cli counter --serial > /dev/null &
-    pid_counter=$!
-    tendermint start --mode validator > tendermint.log &
-    pid_tendermint=$!
-    sleep 5
-
-    echo "running test"
-    bash test/app/counter_test.sh "Counter over Socket"
-
-    kill -9 $pid_counter $pid_tendermint
-}
-
-function counter_over_grpc() {
-    rm -rf $TMHOME
-    tendermint init validator
-    echo "Starting counter_over_grpc"
-    abci-cli counter --serial --abci grpc > /dev/null &
-    pid_counter=$!
-    tendermint start --mode validator --abci grpc > tendermint.log &
-    pid_tendermint=$!
-    sleep 5
-
-    echo "running test"
-    bash test/app/counter_test.sh "Counter over GRPC"
-
-    kill -9 $pid_counter $pid_tendermint
-}
-
-function counter_over_grpc_grpc() {
-    rm -rf $TMHOME
-    tendermint init validator
-    echo "Starting counter_over_grpc_grpc (ie. with grpc broadcast_tx)"
-    abci-cli counter --serial --abci grpc > /dev/null &
-    pid_counter=$!
-    sleep 1
-    GRPC_PORT=36656
-    tendermint start --mode validator --abci grpc --rpc.grpc-laddr tcp://localhost:$GRPC_PORT > tendermint.log &
-    pid_tendermint=$!
-    sleep 5
-
-    echo "running test"
-    GRPC_BROADCAST_TX=true bash test/app/counter_test.sh "Counter over GRPC via GRPC BroadcastTx"
-
-    kill -9 $pid_counter $pid_tendermint
-}
-
 case "$1" in 
     "kvstore_over_socket")
     kvstore_over_socket
@@ -103,25 +49,10 @@ case "$1" in
 "kvstore_over_socket_reorder")
     kvstore_over_socket_reorder
     ;;
-    "counter_over_socket")
-    counter_over_socket
-    ;;
-"counter_over_grpc")
-    counter_over_grpc
-    ;;
-    "counter_over_grpc_grpc")
-    counter_over_grpc_grpc
-    ;;
 *)
     echo "Running all"
     kvstore_over_socket
     echo ""
     kvstore_over_socket_reorder
     echo ""
-    counter_over_socket
-    echo ""
-    counter_over_grpc
-    echo ""
-    counter_over_grpc_grpc
 esac
-