Analyzing the Performance of ChatGPT's Mobile App Amidst Slowing Growth

• OpenAI
• ChatGPT

In the rapidly evolving world of AI chatbots, the ChatGPT mobile app has been making waves. The app, a product of OpenAI, has seen substantial app installs and revenue growth, setting a new record in September with 15.6 million downloads and almost $4.6 million in gross income. However, according to new data from market intelligence firm Appfigures, this promising growth appears to be slowing down.

The Ups and Downs of ChatGPT's Mobile App

There are two sides to every story, and the same can be said for the journey of ChatGPT's mobile app. On the bright side, the AI chatbot has continued to see an increase in the number of app installs and its revenue. However, the recent data shows that the revenue growth has begun to slow. While the growth rate was over 30% for the past few months, it dropped to 20% in September.

This slowing growth could be an early sign that ChatGPT is nearing its saturation point regarding the number of mobile users willing to pay for the upgraded ChatGPT+ subscription service. This service, priced at $19.99 per month, offers benefits such as faster response times, priority access during peak times, and early access to new features and improvements. Despite the steep price, the subscription has sold well, contributing significantly to the app's gross revenues.

ChatGPT vs. Other AI Apps

Despite its success, it's important to note that ChatGPT is not the largest AI app by revenue. A rival app, Ask AI, has been generating more income thanks to heavy spending on advertising. Appfigures' data suggests that Ask AI's revenue rose from $6.48 million in May to a peak of $6.55 million in August, slightly dipping to $5.51 million in September. However, this figure is still higher than ChatGPT's. Other competitors, such as Genie and AI Chat Smith, have not grown as large as Ask AI.

However, the net revenue may tell a different story, considering the ad spend of Ask AI. ChatGPT netted around $3.2 million in September after Apple and Google took their cut from the in-app purchase revenues.

ChatGPT's Install Base and Revenue Sources

ChatGPT also saw a record 15.6 million installs in September, bringing its lifetime total to an impressive 52.2 million. Google Play has been a significant driver of these downloads, accounting for 9 million in September, while the App Store accounted for the remaining 6.6 million.

Interestingly, despite having fewer downloads, the App Store has been driving the revenue, bringing in $3 million of the total in-app purchases last month. The U.S. has emerged as the largest market for the AI chatbot app, accounting for 60% of ChatGPT's revenues.

In conclusion, while ChatGPT's mobile app has made significant strides in the AI chatbot market, it faces the challenge of slowing growth and fierce competition. However, its solid install base and robust revenues paint a promising picture for its future.