OpenAI’s ChatGPT has crossed 1 billion global monthly active app users, making it the fastest app to reach that milestone, based on estimates from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.
The app reached the milestone in May, roughly three years after its mobile launch, surpassing the growth pace of major apps such as Google Maps, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Growth Milestone
The figure has not been announced directly by OpenAI, so it remains a third-party estimate rather than an official company disclosure.
ChatGPT launched as an iOS app in May 2023, with OpenAI describing it at the time as a free app that synced history across devices and integrated Whisper for voice input.
The Android version followed in July 2023, expanding ChatGPT’s reach across the two largest mobile platforms.
Claude Competition
ChatGPT’s growth comes as competition between OpenAI and Anthropic increases in the AI market.
Claude had 56 million global monthly active app users in the second quarter to date, while its year-over-year monthly active user growth was about 640%, compared with 62% growth for ChatGPT.
Sensor Tower also estimated that US ChatGPT users who installed Claude in the first quarter spent 5% less time on ChatGPT one month later compared with their average usage during the previous eight months.
AI Market Push
The milestone comes as AI spending continues to rise across the technology sector, with companies investing more in infrastructure, workplace tools, and consumer AI services.
AI has also taken a central role at major technology events, including Google I/O and Microsoft Build, as companies move to integrate AI more deeply into their products.
IPO Race
Anthropic confidentially filed for a US initial public offering on Monday, while OpenAI is also preparing to file for an IPO in the coming weeks.
SpaceX has also moved closer to a public listing, with its IPO expected to be one of the largest in market history.
If OpenAI confirms the user milestone, the figure would further underline ChatGPT’s position as the leading consumer AI app ahead of a possible public listing.
