ChatGPT has surged to become the most-downloaded app on the planet, overtaking long-dominant social media giants and cementing generative AI as one of the fastest-scaling technologies in history. New data from Techgaged.com shows ChatGPT hit more than 900 million downloads in just 11 months, placing it 200 million ahead of TikTok and 380 million in front of Instagram.
The result marks a dramatic shift in global app rankings. For years, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook held a firm grip on the top positions, with a significant gap between them and the rest of the market. In just two and a half years, ChatGPT has not only entered their tier but leapt into the number one spot worldwide.
As the leading generative AI application, ChatGPT has been central to the rapid expansion of the AI sector into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. According to AppMagic, downloads accelerated sharply throughout 2025, driven by spikes in April, July and August when monthly installs surpassed 100 million. Between January and November, ChatGPT recorded 902 million downloads — nearly triple its total for the previous year and almost seven times its first year on the market.
Since launch, the app has reached 1.36 billion cumulative downloads, matching the early growth trajectory of TikTok, historically the fastest-expanding social media platform. The comparison highlights just how quickly generative AI has become mainstream.
The scale of ChatGPT’s adoption becomes even clearer when compared to other global leaders. TikTok recorded 703 million downloads over the same eleven-month period, while Instagram hit 521.6 million. Facebook, WhatsApp and Temu followed close behind with between 404 million and 444 million installs. Google’s Gemini app was the only other AI platform to place in the top ten, reaching 392 million downloads.
“ChatGPT has achieved what no other app outside the major social media giants ever has: it didn’t just catch up to TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook — it surpassed them,” said TechGaged Research Analyst Jastra Kranjec. “Becoming the world’s most-downloaded app in such a short time marks a historic turning point in the tech landscape and shows just how rapidly generative AI has become a mainstream phenomenon.”
ChatGPT’s user momentum is also reflected in its commanding share of the global AI chatbot market. Recent research indicates the app now holds more than 80 per cent of worldwide usage — roughly four times the combined share of its next five competitors. While emerging players such as DeepSeek and Perplexity are accelerating development across the sector, ChatGPT remains the default choice for most generative AI users.
Full-year 2025 figures are expected to show continued growth as interest in AI applications remains strong and adoption spreads into new markets and demographics.
