ChatGPT Tops Global Downloads in March

ChatGPT Surges to the Top of App Downloads in March

In an unprecedented turn of events, ChatGPT has clinched the title of the world's most downloaded app in March, outshining heavyweights like Instagram and TikTok. This marks the first time the app has led the monthly download charts, making it ChatGPT's most successful month to date. According to recent data from app intelligence provider Appfigures, the app saw a 28% increase in installs from February to March, amassing a staggering 46 million new downloads.

This surge positioned ChatGPT just ahead of Instagram, which slipped to second place, with TikTok trailing in third.

ChatGPT's ascent might be attributed to some significant updates rolled out in March. The app received its first major upgrade to image-generation capabilities in over a year, sparking a viral trend where users created images and memes inspired by Studio Ghibli's iconic style. Films like "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away" became the muse for many of these creations. Additionally, OpenAI relaxed some content moderation policies for images and enhanced ChatGPT's AI voice feature.

Despite these updates, Appfigures pointed out that ChatGPT's growth over the past year has been nothing short of phenomenal, with a 148% increase in installs from Q1 2021 to Q1 2025. However, the firm suggests that these new features might not be the sole reason behind the app's recent surge in popularity.

“It’s starting to feel like ChatGPT is becoming a verb, a lot like how Google did in the 2000s, to the point where many don’t think ‘AI’ but rather ‘ChatGPT,'” remarked Appfigures founder and CEO Ariel Michaeli. He further explained that the general excitement about AI, including buzz around competitors like Grok, Manus AI, or DeepSeek, often leads people to download ChatGPT instead of exploring other options.

ChatGPT's strong brand recognition poses a significant challenge for other AI chatbots trying to break into the market. For instance, Anthropic's Claude struggles to gain traction compared to ChatGPT. On the other hand, Grok might have an edge over other rivals due to its association with Elon Musk and the distribution power of X.

Shifts in the Social App Landscape

Instagram, which had been holding the No. 2 spot in both the Apple App Store and Google Play in January and February, was overtaken by ChatGPT's meteoric rise. TikTok, which had been the No. 1 app earlier in the year, saw its downloads boosted by fears of a potential U.S. ban. However, with President Trump negotiating a deal with China to keep TikTok accessible to U.S. users, the ban has been put on hold.

Historically, Instagram has often outranked TikTok for the top position across global app stores, dominating as the No. 1 non-game app throughout 2024. Its popularity in the U.S., particularly among teens, remains robust. A recent Piper Sandler survey revealed that 87% of U.S. teens use Instagram monthly, compared to 79% for TikTok and 72% for Snapchat.

In March, other social apps from Meta, including Facebook and WhatsApp, secured spots in the top five, while CapCut, Telegram, Snapchat, and Meta's Threads made it into the top 10, along with Temu.

The collective downloads of the top 10 apps reached 339 million in March, up from 299 million in February, showcasing a thriving app market.