In March 2025, ChatGPT surpassed Instagram and TikTok to become the world’s most downloaded app, excluding games. This marks the first time ChatGPT has reached the top of the download charts, with 46 million new installs—a 28% increase from February. The app’s performance outpaced Instagram, which dropped to second place, while TikTok followed in third.
The surge in downloads can be attributed to several significant updates in March, including major improvements to ChatGPT’s image-generation feature. These enhancements sparked a viral moment, particularly after users discovered they could create images and memes in the style of Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio. OpenAI also eased some content moderation policies for images and upgraded the AI’s voice capabilities.
Despite these updates, Appfigures, which tracked the data, suggests that ChatGPT’s growth may be more about brand recognition than new features. Appfigures CEO Ariel Michaeli noted that ChatGPT is increasingly becoming synonymous with AI, much like Google became a verb in the early 2000s. This brand recognition likely contributed to its rise, even as competitors like Grok and Claude enter the market. ChatGPT’s dominant position may be challenging for other AI chatbots to surpass, partly due to its widespread familiarity.
In the broader app landscape, Instagram and TikTok were prominent, with Instagram holding the No. 2 spot, followed by Facebook and WhatsApp in the top five. Other apps like Telegram, Snapchat, and Meta’s Threads also made the top 10. March saw a collective 339 million downloads across the top 10 apps, up from 299 million in February.
