OpenAi’s ChatGPT emerged as essentially the most downloaded non-gaming app globally in March 2025, overtaking long-time chart leaders Instagram and TikTok, in accordance with new knowledge from app intelligence agency Appfigures.
ChatGPT recorded 46 million new downloads in March, representing a 28% improve from February and marking its finest efficiency thus far.
That is the primary time the AI chatbot app, developed by OpenAI, has secured the highest spot in month-to-month world app downloads.
Compared, Instagram fell to the No. 2 place, whereas TikTok slipped to No. 3. This reshuffling highlights shifting shopper conduct, particularly within the race for dominance amongst content material and productiveness apps.
AI picture options drive viral surge
The enhance in ChatGPT’s recognition coincided with a number of key product upgrades rolled out in March.
- Most notably, OpenAI launched its first main replace to picture technology capabilities in over a 12 months, enabling customers to create photographs and memes within the model of Studio Ghibli, the famend Japanese animation studio.
- This viral use case sparked widespread engagement throughout social media in late March and early April.
- The app additionally noticed enhancements to its AI voice assistant and a rest of picture moderation insurance policies, additional broadening its inventive and conversational utility for customers.
Model energy fuels momentum
Whereas new options definitely contributed to the app’s momentum, Appfigures means that model dominance performed a bigger function.
- In accordance with the agency’s CEO, Ariel Michaeli, ChatGPT is quick turning into a family title and default entry level for a lot of customers partaking with AI instruments.
“It’s beginning to really feel like ChatGPT is turning into a verb, rather a lot like how Google did within the 2000s.
“When there’s pleasure about AI — even competitors like Grok or DeepSeek — many customers in the end obtain ChatGPT due to its model recognition,” Michaeli mentioned.
- This model energy creates a difficult panorama for rivals. Even promising alternate options like Anthropic’s Claude or Manus AI are struggling to match ChatGPT’s traction.
In the meantime, Grok, backed by Elon Musk and built-in into X (previously Twitter), could have higher odds as a result of its superstar backing and distribution benefits.
Yr-over-year progress indicators AI mainstreaming
ChatGPT’s efficiency displays broader tendencies in AI adoption. Appfigures reported that ChatGPT’s downloads have surged 148% year-over-year, evaluating Q1 2021 to Q1 2025.
The app’s rising adoption indicators rising consolation and familiarity with AI instruments amongst mainstream cellular customers.
- Whereas ChatGPT took the lead, Meta’s household of apps maintained a robust presence within the prime charts.
- Along with Instagram, Fb and WhatsApp remained within the world prime 5, with different Meta apps like Threads and CapCut additionally rating within the prime 10.
- TikTok’s earlier progress in 2025 was partially pushed by issues over a possible U.S. ban, prompting a surge in downloads.
- Nevertheless, these fears have subsided for now as negotiations between U.S. authorities and TikTok’s mum or dad firm, ByteDance, stay ongoing.
In whole, the highest 10 non-game apps had been downloaded 339 million occasions in March, up from 299 million in February, a transparent indication of rising world app engagement.
Alongside ChatGPT, Instagram, and TikTok, different top-ranked apps included Telegram, Snapchat, Meta’s Threads, and e-commerce participant Temu.
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