OpenAI’s new AI video app, Sora, has made an explosive entry into the U.S. App Store, surpassing nearly every expectation for its debut week. Data from Appfigures shows that Sora recorded 627,000 iOS downloads in its first seven days, slightly edging past ChatGPT’s 606,000 downloads during its initial week.

While ChatGPT’s launch was exclusive to the U.S., Sora was available in both the U.S. and Canada. Accounting for Canadian downloads — approximately 45,000 installs — Sora’s U.S.-only numbers would still represent 96% of ChatGPT’s first-week performance, a remarkable feat given that Sora remains invite-only.

Sora reached 56,000 downloads on its first day, propelling it to No. 3 on the U.S. App Store’s Top Overall chart. By October 3, 2025, Sora had climbed to the No. 1 spot, surpassing other major AI app launches like Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft Copilot, and rivaling xAI’s Grok debut.

The app leverages the Sora 2 video model, enabling users to generate highly realistic AI videos, including deepfake content. Its popularity has sparked online buzz and some controversy, as seen in reactions like Zelda Williams’ request for users to stop generating AI videos of her late father, Robin Williams.

Daily iOS download numbers reflect steady interest: after peaking at 107,800 downloads on October 1, Sora maintained between 84,400 and 98,500 daily installs over the following week. This level of adoption underscores significant demand for AI video tools, even before the app becomes widely available.

OpenAI’s Sora app continues to make waves in the AI app market, demonstrating strong early traction and setting a new benchmark for first-week adoption.