In a remarkable debut, OpenAI’s video-generating app, Sora, has set a new benchmark in the application landscape. The app, which is currently available exclusively on iOS, surpassed one million downloads within just five days of its launch, outperforming ChatGPT’s download figures during its first week by a notable margin.
Sora’s Impressive Launch Performance
According to data from Appfigures, Sora achieved 627,000 downloads in its first week, while ChatGPT saw 606,000. This impressive performance comes despite Sora operating under an invite-only model at launch. Interestingly, Sora was released on September 30, 2025, for users in the U.S. and Canada, while ChatGPT was limited to the U.S. during its initial rollout.
Key Download Statistics
- Initial Downloads: 627,000 (Sora) vs. 606,000 (ChatGPT)
- First Day Downloads: 56,000
- Peak Daily Downloads: 107,800 on October 1, 2025
- Daily Downloads Range: 84,400 (October 6) to 98,500 (October 4)
- Launch Date: September 30, 2025
Market Reception and User Engagement
On its very first day, Sora’s rapid uptake propelled it to the No. 3 position on the U.S. App Store, and by October 3, it secured the top spot. This swift climb outpaced other AI applications, including Claude from Anthropic and Microsoft’s Copilot.
Social media reflects the widespread enthusiasm for Sora, with users creating deepfake videos, a feature powered by the new Sora 2 video model. However, this capability has raised ethical concerns, notably when users created deepfakes of deceased individuals, prompting public figures like Zelda Williams to voice their concerns.
Bill Peebles, head of Sora at OpenAI, noted the app’s sustained growth trajectory and emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance user experience. He highlighted the commitment of the team to address overmoderation issues and introduce more features.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, Sora is poised for continuous expansion. The app’s performance, especially considering its invite-only status, marks a significant milestone in the AI application sector. With improvements on the horizon, Sora is set to capture even greater user engagement as it advances in the competitive landscape.
