ChatGPT has surpassed $3 billion in worldwide consumer spending on mobile platforms as of this week, according to estimates from app intelligence firm Appfigures. This milestone reflects the total amount spent by users on iOS and Android devices since the app’s initial launch in May 2023, first becoming available on iOS, and signals a rapid adoption rate for the generative AI technology.
The surge in spending has been particularly dramatic in the last year. Appfigures data indicates that consumers spent approximately $2.48 billion on the ChatGPT mobile app in 2025, a 408% increase compared to the $487 million spent in 2024. In its first year, 2023, the app generated $42.9 million, showcasing exponential growth in subsequent years.
ChatGPT’s Rapid Financial Growth in the AI Market
This financial performance positions ChatGPT as a remarkably quick earner when compared to other popular mobile applications. Appfigures reports that TikTok took 31 months to reach $3 billion in consumer spending, while Disney+ and HBO Max required 42 and 46 months, respectively. ChatGPT achieved the same benchmark in just 31 months, demonstrating significant consumer demand for its services.
However, ChatGPT is not the only AI application seeing increased user investment. xAI’s Grok, a rival AI chatbot, is presenting a similar revenue trajectory, particularly when considering the timing of each app’s monetization. This suggests a growing willingness among consumers to pay for access to AI-powered tools.
Monetization Strategies Beyond Subscriptions
The $3 billion in consumer spending is largely driven by paid subscriptions to ChatGPT, such as the $20 monthly ChatGPT Plus plan and the $200 monthly ChatGPT Pro tier. These subscriptions provide access to more advanced features and higher usage limits.
Despite strong subscription numbers, revenue streams for AI applications extend beyond direct consumer payments. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, recently launched an app store within ChatGPT, offering integrations and customizations developed by third parties. The company anticipates future monetization opportunities from this new platform. Additionally, the integration of advertising within AI interfaces – as explored by Google – represents a potential area for revenue generation.
Meanwhile, other key players in the AI space are targeting different markets. Anthropic, for example, is primarily focusing on enterprise solutions and forecasts revenue of $70 billion by 2028, according to recent reports.
The Broader AI Landscape and Future Outlook
Google is actively testing ways to inject AI into its existing search advertising business, aiming to place ads within AI-powered search results, including AI Mode and AI Overviews. This move could significantly alter the digital advertising landscape. The success of these efforts, alongside the continued growth of ChatGPT and its competitors, will be important to monitor.
The rapid financial performance of ChatGPT indicates a substantial and growing market for generative AI technologies. While the current figures are primarily driven by direct consumer spending on subscriptions, the development of new monetization strategies, like app stores and AI-powered advertising, could unlock further revenue potential. The evolving competitive landscape, including the strategies of xAI, Anthropic, and Google, will undoubtedly shape the future direction of the AI market, presenting both opportunities and challenges for key industry participants.
Looking ahead, the industry will be closely watching how OpenAI navigates the app store monetization strategy and the potential impact of AI-driven advertising models. Further developments in AI technology and evolving consumer preferences will be critical factors in determining the long-term sustainability and growth of the market.
