By Sensor Tower
OpenAI’s $750bn - $1tn upcoming IPO in 2H26 is expected to be one of the largest of the year, as ChatGPT has become synonymous with AI since its launch in 2022. As one of the first AI app offerings on the market, ChatGPT adoption soared, with downloads increasing 190% YoY in 2024 and 2025. By the end of 2025, ChatGPT was averaging over 900mn global MAUs, after experiencing unprecedented growth in the past two years.
ChatGPT’s early entry into the space may still be benefitting the app, as it has the highest percentage of stickiness amongst its users, with 44% of monthly users engaging with the app on a daily basis. ChatGPT also reigns at the top of the US Apple App Store’s ranking for overall apps, reaching the top spot on the chart for free apps on 115 non-consecutive days in 2026.
This new revenue stream comes as an addition to ChatGPT’s successful mobile in-app purchase revenue, which is the second-highest globally in YTD 2026, trailing only TikTok. The app has amassed nearly $1.5bn of net in-app purchase revenue in YTD 2026, highlighting the massive market opportunity in the space, while Claude has amassed $163mn in net in-app purchase revenue during the same period.
Ahead of its IPO, OpenAI has developed a sizable and dominant footprint within the AI industry and can potentially offer investors continued growth from its in-app and advertising revenue, particularly as it deepens its penetration in newer markets. However, competitors like Claude, Gemini, and Meta AI are also growing their mobile audiences, and consumers are still identifying their personal preferences. Additionally, news like OpenAI’s partnership with the Department of War may impact how each company is perceived and could negatively impact adoption rates going forward.
Contact Information:
For questions related to this report, please contact Seema Shah, VP of Insights at seema.shah@sensortower.com, Abraham Yousef, Senior Insights Analyst at abraham.yousef@sensortower.com, Kara Lee, Brand & Digital Advertising Analyst at kara.lee@sensortower.com or Sneha Pandey, Insights Analyst at sneha.pandey@sensortower.com.
Reviewed by Irfan Ahmad.
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OpenAI’s $750bn - $1tn upcoming IPO in 2H26 is expected to be one of the largest of the year, as ChatGPT has become synonymous with AI since its launch in 2022. As one of the first AI app offerings on the market, ChatGPT adoption soared, with downloads increasing 190% YoY in 2024 and 2025. By the end of 2025, ChatGPT was averaging over 900mn global MAUs, after experiencing unprecedented growth in the past two years.
ChatGPT Remains Leader, But Rivals Are Closing In
While ChatGPT remains an industry leader within the AI landscape, 2026 has started to present competitive headwinds for the company as Claude, Meta AI, and Gemini continue to chip away at ChatGPT’s market share. For instance, Claude and Meta AI only accounted for a 1% share of global downloads in 2Q25, however, the two apps now account for nearly a quarter of global downloads in QTD 2Q26 (24%). Meta AI, Claude, and Gemini are experiencing triple digit growth in downloads in QTD 2Q26, while ChatGPT’s are currently down on a YoY basis during the same time period. Despite declining growth for ChatGPT, the app still received triple the number of downloads of any competitor within the category.
ChatGPT’s early entry into the space may still be benefitting the app, as it has the highest percentage of stickiness amongst its users, with 44% of monthly users engaging with the app on a daily basis. ChatGPT also reigns at the top of the US Apple App Store’s ranking for overall apps, reaching the top spot on the chart for free apps on 115 non-consecutive days in 2026.
In-App Revenue and Advertising Drive Top Line Growth
OpenAI’s foray into advertising expands its revenue opportunities, as ChatGPT ads have now reached ~20% of app users by the end of May’26, a quick ramp vs ~1% of users in early March. Not only has ChatGPT successfully expanded the visibility of ads on the platform, but it has also increased the density of ads per user in the app, up 60% in May’26 vs the ads launch in February. Notable brands, including Best Buy, Target, Home Depot, and Gap have been quick to jump onto the new platform. Over 1,500 brands have embraced ChatGPT ads, accumulating in over 10,000 unique ads since its launch.This new revenue stream comes as an addition to ChatGPT’s successful mobile in-app purchase revenue, which is the second-highest globally in YTD 2026, trailing only TikTok. The app has amassed nearly $1.5bn of net in-app purchase revenue in YTD 2026, highlighting the massive market opportunity in the space, while Claude has amassed $163mn in net in-app purchase revenue during the same period.
GenAI Ad Spend Continues to Rise
OpenAI is also increasing its advertising spend to ensure the brand is top of consumers’ mind, ranking as the 31st largest advertiser in May’26 in the US, which is a 500 spot increase from May’25. And it's not alone. US ad spend for the Generative AI category has grown by 12x YoY in May’26, becoming the largest subcategory by spend within the software vertical, emphasizing the tightening race amongst AI apps to reach new consumers.Ahead of its IPO, OpenAI has developed a sizable and dominant footprint within the AI industry and can potentially offer investors continued growth from its in-app and advertising revenue, particularly as it deepens its penetration in newer markets. However, competitors like Claude, Gemini, and Meta AI are also growing their mobile audiences, and consumers are still identifying their personal preferences. Additionally, news like OpenAI’s partnership with the Department of War may impact how each company is perceived and could negatively impact adoption rates going forward.
Contact Information:
For questions related to this report, please contact Seema Shah, VP of Insights at seema.shah@sensortower.com, Abraham Yousef, Senior Insights Analyst at abraham.yousef@sensortower.com, Kara Lee, Brand & Digital Advertising Analyst at kara.lee@sensortower.com or Sneha Pandey, Insights Analyst at sneha.pandey@sensortower.com.
Reviewed by Irfan Ahmad.
Read next:
• Internet Traffic Is Surging Worldwide
• Over 45 and looking for a job? AI thinks you might be too old
