Sora Surpasses ChatGPT in First-Week Downloads
OpenAI’s video-generating app Sora has made an impressive debut, reaching the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store. According to new data from Appfigures, Sora recorded 627,000 iOS downloads in its first week, outperforming ChatGPT’s 606,000 downloads during its initial launch. Although ChatGPT was available only in the U.S. at the time, Sora’s launch included both the U.S. and Canada, with Canada contributing around 45,000 downloads. Even after adjusting for that difference, Sora’s performance remains nearly identical to ChatGPT’s U.S. numbers.
Rapid Growth and Market Impact
Sora’s momentum began immediately. On its first day, the app recorded 56,000 installs, quickly climbing to the No. 3 position overall. By October 3, it had secured the top spot on the U.S. App Store. This surge placed Sora ahead of other AI app debuts such as Claude, Copilot, and Grok. Moreover, its growth is particularly remarkable since Sora is still an invite-only app, unlike ChatGPT’s open release.
Sustained User Adoption
Data shows consistent user engagement since Sora’s launch on September 30, 2025. Daily iOS downloads peaked at 107,800 on October 1, followed by stable numbers between 84,400 and 98,500 over the following days. Despite a slight dip after the initial surge, the app continues to perform strongly. With growing interest and steady downloads, Sora has firmly established itself as one of the most successful AI app launches to date.
