OpenAI launched its video-generation app Sora in October, powered by the Sora 2 model. The iOS-only app, available by invite, recorded 100,000 installs on its first day. It reached the No. 1 position on the U.S. App Store and hit 1 million downloads faster than ChatGPT.
Appfigures data shows Sora’s downloads fell 32 percent month-over-month in December, despite the holiday period when app installs typically rise due to new smartphone gifts and user downtime. The decline accelerated in January 2026, with installs dropping 45 percent month-over-month to 1.2 million. Consumer spending also decreased 32 percent month-over-month in January.
To date, Sora has 9.6 million downloads across iOS and Android platforms. It has generated $1.4 million in consumer spending, with the U.S. contributing $1.1 million. Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand follow in spending rankings. In the current month, users spent $367,000, down from December’s peak of $540,000.
On the U.S. App Store, Sora no longer ranks in the top 100 overall free apps, sitting at No. 101. It holds No. 7 in the Photo & Video category. On U.S. Google Play, it ranks No. 181 among free apps.
Sora functions like an AI-enhanced TikTok. Users create videos from text prompts. A key feature lets them cast themselves or friends as characters, with permission. Others can remix shared videos and add music, sound effects, and dialogue.
Competition intensified around Sora’s launch. Google’s Gemini app, especially its Nano Banana model, gained traction. Meta AI introduced Vibes video features, boosting its downloads in October.
OpenAI faced copyright issues early. It started with an opt-out policy for intellectual property, prompting backlash from Hollywood studios. Users generated videos featuring characters like SpongeBob and Pikachu, which increased adoption. OpenAI then switched to an opt-in model with stricter controls to address legal concerns.
Last month, OpenAI partnered with Disney, enabling users to create videos with Disney characters. This change has not lifted installs or spending. OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment.
The app’s total figures remain substantial, but monthly declines signal challenges. December’s 32 percent download drop occurred during a peak season for apps. January 2026 brought a sharper 45 percent fall to 1.2 million installs that month. Spending mirrored this trend with a 32 percent month-over-month reduction.
Lifetime metrics highlight initial momentum: 100,000 day-one installs under invite-only constraints, rapid climb to U.S. App Store No. 1, and 1 million downloads ahead of ChatGPT’s pace. Cumulative downloads now stand at 9.6 million on iOS and Android combined.
Spending distribution underscores U.S. dominance at $1.1 million of $1.4 million total. Secondary markets include Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand. Recent monthly spending hit $367,000, after December’s $540,000 high.
Current U.S. rankings reflect slippage: App Store overall No. 101, Photo & Video No. 7; Google Play free apps No. 181.
Sora’s core features drive engagement. Prompt-based video generation allows custom scenes. Self-casting and friend-casting add personalization, requiring consent. Remix capabilities extend shared content. Audio elements—music, effects, dialogue—enhance outputs.
Competitive pressures mounted from Google’s Gemini Nano Banana model and Meta AI’s Vibes video, both launching features near Sora’s October debut.
Copyright evolution shaped user experience. Initial opt-out drew studio criticism. Popular character videos, such as SpongeBob and Pikachu, proliferated. Policy shifted to opt-in with added restrictions.
The Disney partnership, announced last month, permits character use in generations. No uptick in metrics followed.
