ChatGPT dominates downloads in the AI chatbot arena, marking itself as a force to be reckoned with. Since its mobile introduction earlier this year, it has witnessed an unprecedented surge in popularity, becoming a household name for AI chat experiences.
However, while it’s a titan regarding downloads, it doesn’t wear the crown in the revenue department. A deeper dive reveals that some AI photo apps and chatbot contenders outperform ChatGPT regarding earnings.
âžœ ChatGPT’s Meteoric Rise
ChatGPT, since its mobile debut in May, has seen a phenomenal growth trajectory. In its initial month, the app, exclusive to iOS, recorded a whopping 3.9 million downloads. By June, this number catapulted to 15.1 million. Even after a slight dip in July, the app’s popularity surged, reaching 23 million downloads by September 2023. Not just downloads, the monthly active users have also seen a significant rise, from 1.34 million in May to a staggering 38.88 million by September, said an analyst from Apptopia.
➜ Revenue: The Real Picture
Despite its massive user base, ChatGPT isn’t the top dog regarding revenue. Apps like “Chat & Ask AI” and “ChatOn — AI Chat Bot Assistant” have outperformed ChatGPT, raking in nearly $3.38 million and $2.11 million in September, respectively. Even apps like “AI Chatbot — Nova” and “AI Chatbot: AI Chat Smith” aren’t far behind, with revenues of $1.44 million and $1.72 million.
➜ The Competition Heats Up
The AI chatbot market is bustling with activity. At least five AI chatbot apps surpassed the 2 million download mark in September. Some of these apps, like “Chat & Ask AI” and “ChatOn — AI Chat Bot Assistant,” have been leveraging App Store SEO, ranking high for commonly searched terms like “AI Chat.” While they’re still trailing behind ChatGPT’s 23 million, it’s evident that there’s a vast market beyond OpenAI’s flagship product.
➜ Active User Base: A Closer Look
It’s not just about downloads; retaining users is crucial. For instance, Poe, a chatbot from the Q&A platform Quora, boasted over 1.18 million monthly active users in September. Generic apps are also holding their ground. “Chat & Ask AI” had 9.7 million MAUs, “ChatOn — AI Chat Bot Assistant” had 3.5 million, and “AI Chatbot — Nova” and “AI Chatbot: AI Chat Smith” had 8.55 million and 8.48 million MAUs, respectively.
➜ AI Photo Apps: The Dark Horses
While chatbots are making waves, AI photo apps are silently conquering the revenue charts. Apps like “Remini” and “PicsArt AI Photo Editor” have given ChatGPT stiff competition regarding downloads. “Remini” alone had 16.17 million downloads in September, thanks to its AI headshots feature that went viral on TikTok. In terms of monthly users, “Remini” had 6.2 million, “FaceApp” had 6.4 million, and “PicsArt” had 4.27 million.
➜ Revenue Dynamics of AI Photo Apps
When it comes to revenue, AI photo apps are outshining ChatGPT. While ChatGPT garnered $1.98 million in September, apps like “Remini,” “PicsArt,” “Wonder,” and “FaceApp” pulled in revenues of $6.22 million, $4.27 million, $2.08 million, and $6.42 million, respectively. One reason could be the platform of the transaction. While ChatGPT offers its premium subscription on the web, AI photo apps predominantly monetize through in-app smartphone purchases.
➜ The Ephemeral Nature of Popularity
The AI app market is fickle. Apps that go viral can see a decline just as quickly. Take Lensa, for instance. After going viral in 2002 with 23.44 million downloads in December, it plummeted to 413,814 monthly installs by September 2023. Its monthly active users also dipped from 24.9 million to 739,000. This trend suggests that while AI photo apps might enjoy their moments of glory, sustaining that popularity is challenging.
The AI app landscape is dynamic and fiercely competitive. While ChatGPT has established itself as a formidable force, especially regarding downloads, it’s clear that when it comes to revenue, there are other contenders in the ring. AI photo apps, particularly, are proving lucrative, even if their popularity might be short-lived. As AI evolves, it’ll be interesting to see how these trends shift. For more insights into the world of AI, check out NeuralWit.