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OpenAI’s Sora soars to No. 3 on the US App Store

OpenAI's Sora app for AI-generated videos debuted as the No. 3 app on the U.S. App Store, achieving 56,000 downloads on its first day and a total of 164,000 in two days, despite being invite-only at launch. This strong launch indicates significant consumer interest in AI video tools, although its limited availability makes comparisons with other apps, like ChatGPT, challenging.

Key points

  • Sora launched as an invite-only AI video app, leading to limited availability in the U.S. and Canada.
  • On its first day, Sora saw 56,000 downloads, totaling 164,000 within the first two days.
  • Sora ranks No. 3 on the U.S. App Store, outperforming launches of other AI apps like Claude and Copilot.
  • Comparative performance shows Sora's day-one downloads are on par with Grok (56,000) but less than ChatGPT and Gemini (80,000+).
  • Despite being invite-only, Sora’s performance indicates a strong consumer demand for AI video tools.

Why it matters

  • This trend reflects a broader interest in AI applications and experiential social media tools, likely influenced by advancements in AI technologies.
  • Historically, AI app launches have seen varying success metrics based on geographic restrictions and marketing strategies.
  • In 2025, the rising demand for AI-driven content creation aligns with expected trends emphasizing personalization and interactivity in technology.

Sora's rapid rise in the App Store highlights the growing interest in AI video tools, suggesting a promising future for similar applications, albeit with challenges related to accessibility and direct competition.