Sora’s first week on the App Store just edged past ChatGPT’s debut, despite being invite-only. According to new estimates from Appfigures, OpenAI’s video-generating app racked up roughly 627,000 iOS downloads in its first seven days, topping ChatGPT’s 606,000 installs during its initial week on iOS.
There is an important caveat: ChatGPT launched only in the U.S. for its first week, while Sora rolled out in both the U.S. and Canada. Appfigures estimates Canada accounted for about 45,000 installs. Adjusting for that, Sora’s U.S.-only first week would be around 96% of ChatGPT’s—still a standout performance, especially given Sora’s invite-only access versus ChatGPT’s broader availability at launch.
Momentum built quickly. On day one, Sora amassed about 56,000 installs, pushing it to No. 3 in the U.S. App Store’s Top Overall ranking. By Friday, October 3, it had climbed to No. 1. That surge put Sora’s debut ahead of other major AI app launches, including Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft’s Copilot, and roughly on par with the early traction seen by xAI’s Grok.
Appfigures’ data shows sustained interest throughout the first week. Daily iOS downloads peaked around 107,800 on October 1, 2025. In the days that followed, the app saw between roughly 84,400 daily installs (October 6) and 98,500 daily installs (October 4). While that’s a touch below the midweek high, it’s a strong showing for an app that many users still can’t fully access.
Social media chatter helps explain the spike. Sora’s latest Sora 2 video model has fueled a wave of viral clips, with users sharing lifelike, AI-generated videos that look indistinguishable from reality. That virality has also reignited debate over deepfakes and responsible AI use. Some users are creating AI-generated videos of deceased individuals, prompting public pushback from figures like Zelda Williams, who urged people to stop sharing AI imagery of her late father, Robin Williams.
The early numbers point to a powerful combination: an in-demand format (video), a friction-reducing mobile experience, and a tight invite system that creates scarcity while still allowing enough users to drive the app up the charts. If Sora opens the gates further, its install base could expand rapidly—though long-term success will hinge on user retention, content policies, and how the platform balances creativity with safeguards against misuse.
Key takeaways for the launch window:
– First-week iOS installs: about 627,000 for Sora vs. 606,000 for ChatGPT
– Regional note: Sora launched in the U.S. and Canada; Canada contributed roughly 45,000 installs
– App Store performance: reached No. 1 in the U.S. by October 3 after debuting at No. 3
– Daily peaks: approximately 107,800 installs on October 1; lows near 84,400 on October 6
– Competitive context: outpaced early launches of Claude and Copilot; on par with Grok
Bottom line: Sora’s invite-only debut turning into a No. 1 App Store hit is a strong signal of consumer appetite for AI-powered video creation. With momentum, visibility, and conversation all moving in its favor, the app is positioned to be one of the most-watched AI rollouts of the year.
