OpenAI’s latest innovation, Sora, has achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching over one million downloads in less than five days, outpacing the initial adoption rate of its predecessor, ChatGPT. This rapid ascent underscores the growing consumer appetite for advanced AI applications, particularly in the realm of video generation.
Unprecedented Growth Amidst Exclusive Access
Sora’s journey began on September 30, 2025, with its debut on the iOS App Store. Despite being in an invite-only phase and limited to users in the United States and Canada, the app’s growth trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. According to data from app intelligence firm Appfigures, Sora amassed 627,000 downloads within its first week. In comparison, ChatGPT garnered 606,000 downloads during its initial seven days, despite being publicly accessible from the outset.
Bill Peebles, OpenAI’s head of Sora, highlighted this achievement, noting that the app reached the one million download mark in under five days. He emphasized that this feat was accomplished despite the invite-only model and the geographic limitations of the launch.
Comparative Analysis with ChatGPT
While ChatGPT’s initial availability was confined to the U.S., Sora’s launch included both the U.S. and Canada. Appfigures’ data indicates that Canadian users contributed approximately 45,000 installs. Even when considering only U.S. downloads, Sora’s launch achieved about 96% of ChatGPT’s initial U.S. figures, underscoring the app’s strong appeal.
The invite-only nature of Sora adds another layer to its impressive performance. Unlike ChatGPT, which was accessible to the general public from day one, Sora’s restricted access could have limited its growth. However, the app’s rapid adoption suggests a significant demand for AI-driven video generation tools.
Dominating the App Store Rankings
Sora’s impact on the App Store was immediate. On its launch day, the app recorded 56,000 downloads, propelling it to the third position in the Top Overall apps category in the U.S. By October 3, it had ascended to the number one spot. This swift rise placed Sora ahead of other notable AI app launches, such as Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft’s Copilot, and on par with xAI’s Grok.
Viral Sensation and Social Media Buzz
The proliferation of Sora-generated videos across social media platforms has been a testament to its popularity. Utilizing the advanced Sora 2 video model, users have been creating highly realistic deepfakes, some even featuring deceased individuals. This trend has sparked discussions about the ethical implications of AI-generated content. For instance, Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, publicly requested that people refrain from sending her AI-generated images of her father, highlighting the sensitive nature of such creations.
Sustained User Engagement
Appfigures’ analysis reveals that Sora’s daily download numbers remained robust throughout its first week. The app peaked at 107,800 downloads on October 1, 2025, and maintained a steady range between 84,400 and 98,500 daily installs in the subsequent days. These figures are particularly noteworthy given the app’s invite-only status, indicating a strong and sustained interest from users.
The Broader AI App Landscape
Sora’s rapid success is indicative of a broader trend in the AI application market. The demand for AI-driven tools, especially those offering creative capabilities like video generation, is on the rise. This trend is further evidenced by the performance of other AI apps. For example, ChatGPT’s mobile app has generated $2 billion in global consumer spending to date, earning approximately $2.91 per install. Such figures highlight the lucrative potential of AI applications in the consumer market.
Challenges and Future Prospects
The success of Sora has not gone unnoticed by opportunistic developers. The App Store has seen a surge of copycat applications attempting to capitalize on Sora’s popularity. These impostor apps, often using similar branding and names like Sora 2 – AI Video Generator, have collectively garnered over 300,000 installs. While many of these apps have been removed by Apple, some remain, posing challenges for consumers seeking the authentic Sora experience.
Looking ahead, OpenAI has ambitious plans for Sora. The company intends to integrate Sora’s video generation capabilities directly into ChatGPT, creating a more seamless user experience. Additionally, there are plans to expand Sora’s functionalities to include image generation, further broadening its creative potential.
Conclusion
Sora’s rapid ascent to over one million downloads in under five days is a clear indicator of the growing consumer interest in AI-driven creative tools. Its success, achieved despite invite-only access and geographic limitations, underscores the app’s strong appeal and the broader trend towards AI integration in everyday applications. As OpenAI continues to innovate and expand Sora’s capabilities, it is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of AI in creative content generation.
