ChatGPT Hits 1 Billion Monthly Active Users in May, Fastest App to Reach Milestone

According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, OpenAI's ChatGPT reached one billion monthly active users (MAUs) in May, achieving the milestone roughly 3.5 years after its November 2022 launch. The app became the fastest ever to reach this user level, surpassing Google Maps which took around five years to achieve the same volume.

Competing AI apps are gaining ground despite ChatGPT's lead. Claude's monthly usage rose 640% year-over-year, while Meta AI surged 973%, compared to ChatGPT's 62% growth, Sensor Tower said. The momentum shift followed February events including ChatGPT uninstalls spiking 295% on February 28 after OpenAI announced a Pentagon partnership, while Claude climbed to the App Store's top spot after Anthropic declined Defense Department involvement.