ChatGPT Surges to $2 Billion in User Revenue Since May Launch

Individual users have spent a remarkable $2 billion on the ChatGPT mobile app since its launch in May 2023. This figure represents a significant achievement for OpenAI’s application, highlighting its dominance in the competitive AI landscape. A report published on August 16, 2025, indicates that the app’s revenue surged by 673 percent year-over-year, underscoring its rapid growth.

In terms of downloads, ChatGPT reached a staggering 318 million installations in 2025, a figure that is 2.8 times higher than during the same period last year. The app’s popularity is reflected in its user demographics, with India leading in lifetime installs at 13.7 percent, followed closely by the United States at 10.3 percent.

Despite the higher installation rates in India, American users significantly contribute to the app’s revenue, accounting for over 38 percent of the global total. The average spending per download in the US stands at approximately $10, while in Germany, it is reported at $5.30. Users are inclined to pay for premium features, including the ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs $20 per month and offers access to advanced models like GPT-5, higher usage limits, and enhanced functionalities.

ChatGPT has outperformed its competitors in terms of lifetime revenue per install, averaging $2.91. In comparison, Anthropic’s Claude follows with $2.55, while Elon Musk’s Grok lags behind at $0.75. Microsoft’s Copilot app trails further, earning just $0.27 per install. Analysts attribute Grok’s underwhelming performance to its late entry into the mobile market; the standalone iOS app was only made available in January 2025, with Android support following in March.

Elon Musk, founder of xAI, has publicly criticized the rankings of AI applications, alleging that ChatGPT’s top position on the Apple Store is a result of favoritism from Apple. Musk claims that his apps, including X and Grok, have been unfairly sidelined. In response, Apple firmly denied these allegations, stating, “The App Store is designed to be fair and free of bias.” The company emphasized that its recommendations are based on objective criteria, including charts, algorithms, and expert editorial curation.

Meanwhile, GPT-5 is accessible to all users, with Plus subscribers benefiting from increased usage limits and Pro subscribers gaining access to GPT-5 Pro. This upgraded version offers enhanced reasoning capabilities, allowing for more comprehensive and accurate responses.

The escalating revenue and user engagement for ChatGPT reflect not only the growing interest in AI applications but also the competitive dynamics shaping the technology landscape. With its substantial user base and innovative features, ChatGPT is positioned to remain a significant player in the evolving world of artificial intelligence.