By September, OpenAI's ChatGPT mobile app had reached a milestone of 15.6 million downloads worldwide. Despite this impressive surge in installations, the app experienced a deceleration in revenue growth, indicating a shift in market dynamics.
Revenue Growth Deceleration
In contrast to the robust 31% growth observed in July and the even more substantial 39% in August, September's revenue growth tapered off to 20%. This slowdown may suggest that ChatGPT is nearing market saturation, with a decreasing number of mobile users willing to invest in the enhanced ChatGPT Plus subscription service. This trend underscores the intensifying competition in the field, with alternative options competing for the attention and subscription dollars of mobile users.
ChatGPT Plus: A Premium Subscription Experience
Since its launch in February, ChatGPT Plus has been offering users a premium subscription experience. This service provides access to GPT-4, availability even during peak usage hours, quicker response times, and priority access to OpenAI's latest ChatGPT enhancements. This subscription plays a crucial role in sustaining free access for users who rely on the service.
Revenue Performance
Despite the recent slowdown, ChatGPT managed to amass $4.6 million in gross revenue throughout September, spanning both its iOS and Android apps globally. This performance places ChatGPT among the top AI chatbot apps, surpassed in revenue only by Ask-AI, primarily due to its substantial advertising investments.
The Competitive Landscape
Ask-AI has outperformed ChatGPT in terms of revenue, primarily due to its aggressive advertising strategy. Founded in 2021, Ask-AI distinguishes itself by enhancing employee search results within internal knowledge bases and communication sources, streamlining what is typically a labor-intensive process.
Another contender is Mode Mobile, a startup dedicated to making it more convenient for individuals to earn income using their smartphones.
Revenue Dynamics
It's worth noting that ChatGPT's net revenue may be lower than its gross revenue due to the revenue share taken by tech giants Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google from in-app purchases. Nevertheless, even after these deductions, ChatGPT managed to amass approximately $3.2 million in net revenue for the month of September.
The US remains ChatGPT's largest revenue source, accounting for 60% of its income, underscoring the nation's continued appetite for the ChatGPT platform.
The Road Ahead
Despite its ongoing growth and substantial revenue, ChatGPT's mobile app may face a continued slowdown as it approaches market saturation.
Key Takeaways
- ChatGPT reached 15.6 million global downloads in September.- Revenues rose to $4.6 million, a 20% growth, which is less than the previous months.
- Competitors like Ask-AI thrive with aggressive advertising, while ChatGPT faces market saturation despite substantial revenue.