OpenAI’s Sora Surpasses ChatGPT in Early iOS Adoption
OpenAI’s new video-generating app, Sora, has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 1 million downloads in under five days on iOS. This rapid adoption outpaces the launch performance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which recorded 606,000 downloads during its first week on the U.S. App Store, according to data from app analytics firm Appfigures. Appfigures estimates that Sora attained 627,000 iOS downloads in its initial seven days, exceeding ChatGPT’s launch week numbers despite Sora operating under an invite-only system and being available exclusively in North America.
Sora hit 1M app downloads in <5 days, even faster than ChatGPT did (despite the invite flow and only targeting North America)! Team working hard to keep up with surging growth. More features and fixes to overmoderation on the way!
— Bill Peebles (@billpeeb), October 9, 2025
Regional Availability and Invite-Only Access Highlight Sora’s Growth
Unlike ChatGPT, which was publicly available in the U.S. during its launch week, Sora is limited to iOS users in the U.S. and Canada and requires an invitation to access. Despite these constraints, Sora’s adoption rate remains impressive, with Canadian installs accounting for approximately 45,000 of the total downloads. Adjusting for regional differences, Sora’s U.S. downloads alone represent about 96% of ChatGPT’s first-week U.S. numbers—highlighting strong consumer interest and demand.
Rapid Climb to No. 1 on U.S. App Store Charts
On its first day, Sora achieved 56,000 downloads, quickly ascending to the No. 3 position on the U.S. App Store’s Top Overall chart. Within days, it reached the No. 1 spot, surpassing other prominent AI app launches including Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft’s Copilot, and matching the debut success of xAI’s Grok. Appfigures data shows that Sora’s daily downloads peaked at 107,800 on October 1, 2025, with subsequent daily installs fluctuating between 84,400 and 98,500—a robust performance given the app’s restricted access.
User Engagement and Ethical Implications of Deepfake Content
Sora utilizes the advanced Sora 2 video model, enabling users to generate realistic deepfake videos. This functionality has gained significant traction on social media, where users share AI-generated content extensively. However, the ability to create deepfakes of deceased individuals has raised ethical questions. Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, publicly requested that people refrain from sending her AI-generated images of her father, highlighting concerns about consent and digital legacy.
FinOracleAI — Market View
OpenAI’s Sora app exemplifies the accelerating consumer appetite for AI-powered creative tools, particularly those that combine advanced video synthesis with user-friendly interfaces. Its rapid adoption despite invite-only access and limited regional launch signals strong market demand and sets a high bar for competitors.
- Opportunities: Expansion into broader markets and platforms could drive further adoption and revenue growth.
- Risks: Ethical concerns around deepfake misuse may invite regulatory scrutiny and impact user trust.
- Innovation: Continuous feature enhancements and moderation improvements are critical to sustaining growth.
- Competitive Landscape: Sora’s success pressures other AI app developers to accelerate innovation and user engagement strategies.
Impact: Sora’s rapid growth strengthens OpenAI’s position in the AI app market, highlighting the commercial viability of video-based AI tools but also underscoring the need for responsible content governance.
