ChatGPT reaches 1 billion monthly active users, fastest app

The ChatGPT application has surpassed one billion monthly active users, becoming the fastest consumer application in history to reach that milestone, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. The artificial intelligence chatbot achieved the user count in May 2026, approximately three years after its initial launch.

The platform’s growth rate has outpaced other major global applications, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Google Maps, all of which took between five and eight years to reach a similar user base. The rapid adoption underscores the swift integration of generative AI technology into mainstream use.

Despite its dominant market position, ChatGPT faces intensifying competition. Rival AI company Anthropic reported that its Claude application reached an estimated 56 million global monthly active users in the second quarter of 2026. While significantly smaller in total users, Claude’s year-over-year growth rate of approximately 640% far exceeds ChatGPT’s 62% growth over the same period.

Competition for user engagement is also increasing. Sensor Tower data indicates that in the United States, users who installed the Claude app during the first...