ChatGPT’s rapid rise appears to be easing, with new market insights revealing that the world’s most widely used AI chatbot is now experiencing slower growth.
According to fresh data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the OpenAI-owned platform still dominates global AI app usage, but Google’s Gemini is increasingly closing the gap.
Despite the slowdown, ChatGPT remains the clear leader in mobile AI tools.
Sensor Tower reports that the chatbot currently accounts for 50% of global mobile downloads in the category and 55% of global monthly active users (MAUs).
Industry analysts say these figures underscore ChatGPT’s continued strength, but also reveal a plateauing trend. The firm noted that from August to November 2025, ChatGPT’s global MAUs grew by only 6%, reaching an estimated 810 million users. The data suggests the app may be nearing market saturation.
Gemini surges ahead in user growth metrics
While ChatGPT’s expansion moderates, Google’s Gemini has accelerated sharply across several key measurements.
Sensor Tower found that Gemini now outpaces ChatGPT in:
-
Download growth
-
Monthly active user growth
-
Time spent in-app
During the same August–November period in which ChatGPT grew 6%, Gemini’s MAUs jumped by around 30%, a boost largely driven by the rollout of its new image generation model known as Nano Banana.
Both platforms, however, continue to show substantial year-over-year gains. As of November 2025:
-
ChatGPT’s MAUs increased by 180% YoY
-
Gemini’s MAUs rose by 170% YoY
OpenAI issues ‘Code Red’
The shifting landscape has reportedly prompted urgency within OpenAI. A recent internal memo — described as a “code red” directive — shows CEO Sam Altman pressing staff to accelerate improvements to key product areas including personalization, reliability, and image generation.
Analysts say the memo reflects concerns that Google’s rapid gains could narrow the market lead ChatGPT has enjoyed since its launch.
The Sensor Tower report highlights a potentially significant advantage for Google: deep Android integration.
The firm found that twice as many U.S. Android users access Gemini directly through the operating system compared to those using the standalone Gemini mobile app. This built-in access removes friction for users and allows Google to scale Gemini adoption faster — particularly in regions where Android dominates the smartphone market.
