ChatGPT has reached 1 billion monthly active users on its app, making it the fastest application in history to hit that milestone. The figures come from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, which previously held Google Maps as the record holder.
Google Maps took approximately five years to reach 1 billion monthly users. ChatGPT reached the same number in roughly 3.5 years since its November 2022 launch.
The figure specifically refers to monthly app users rather than total users across all surfaces, including the web.
Growth Across the AI Chatbot Market
While ChatGPT remains the dominant player in the market, the growth rates of competing chatbots are increasing more rapidly in percentage terms:
- ChatGPT: 62% year-on-year growth
- Anthropic Claude: 640% year-on-year growth
- Meta AI: 973% year-on-year growth
Abe Yousef, senior insights analyst at Sensor Tower, told CNBC that improvements in the models and more positive market sentiment toward rival companies have contributed to the rise of competing apps. Despite the significant percentage differences, ChatGPT’s user base is still much larger than its competitors in absolute numbers.
How Government Deals and Public Sentiment Are Shaping ChatGPT’s Adoption
OpenAI signed a deal with the Pentagon earlier this year as part of a larger set of contracts between US tech companies and the Department of Defense.
The agreement drew criticism from the public. In response, CEO Sam Altman promised additional safeguards to prevent the technology from being used for surveillance of US citizens.
On February 28, the day after the Pentagon deal was announced, there was a sharp increase in ChatGPT uninstalls, rising approximately 295% compared to the previous day. During the same period, Anthropic’s Claude became the top free app on the US App Store.
Anthropic has refused to allow the government to use its models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. This stance led the company to be labeled a “supply chain risk” by the Pentagon. Despite this, reports suggest that the NSA is using Claude Mythos for offensive cyber operations, even amid public disagreements.
The increase in AI chatbot usage is happening alongside growing public concerns about AI. Polls show that roughly 70% of Americans oppose the construction of AI data centers. Worries about AI’s effect on jobs also remain, although recent analyses suggest that the predicted large-scale job losses haven’t yet materialized.
OpenAI released a report this week stating that accounts linked to China have used ChatGPT to spread anti-data center sentiments in the United States. The company said these efforts had limited impact.
The contrast between rising adoption and declining public opinion is a key feature of the current AI landscape. With ChatGPT reaching one billion monthly users, many see its practical value as outweighing concerns, even as debates about AI’s risks and benefits continue to grow.
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