OpenAI’s new Sora app has achieved remarkable download numbers in its first week, rivaling the launch success of ChatGPT. According to Appfigures, Sora was downloaded 627,000 times on iOS during its first seven days, surpassing ChatGPT’s initial 606,000 downloads.
Although the app remains invite-only, it has already topped the US App Store charts. Analysts note that direct comparisons with ChatGPT should be taken cautiously: ChatGPT was initially released only in the US, whereas Sora launched in both the US and Canada, with Canadian users accounting for roughly 45,000 downloads. When considering US downloads alone, Sora reached approximately 96% of ChatGPT’s launch performance.
Despite limited availability, Sora quickly gained traction. On its first day, the app was installed over 56,000 times, placing it third among all apps in the US App Store. By October 3, 2025, Sora reached the number one spot, outpacing AI apps such as Claude by Anthropic, Microsoft Copilot, and Grok from xAI.
The app’s popularity is fueled in part by viral user-generated videos created with Sora 2, including hyper-realistic deepfakes. Some of these videos sparked controversy, particularly depictions of deceased celebrities, prompting Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, to publicly request that such content be removed.
Appfigures data shows that daily downloads peaked at 107,800 on October 1 and have since fluctuated between 84,000 and 98,000 per day. While growth has slightly slowed, experts consider these figures exceptional for an invite-only AI application, ranking Sora among the most successful OpenAI releases, second only to ChatGPT’s initial launch.
Previously, OpenAI integrated third-party apps into ChatGPT, expanding the ecosystem for AI-driven tools. Sora’s strong start indicates robust user interest in AI-powered video generation and interactive applications.
