ChatGPT’s Growth Slows as Gemini Narrows AI Chatbot Market Lead

• ChatGPT holds 50% of global mobile downloads and 55% of monthly active users but shows signs of market saturation.

• Gemini is outpacing ChatGPT in download growth, user expansion, and time spent in the app, driven by features like its Nano Banana image generation model.

• Other competitors, including Perplexity and Claude, report triple-digit growth rates in 2025, with Perplexity up 370% and Claude up 190% year-over-year, per Sensor Tower statistics.

Discover why ChatGPT user growth is declining in 2025 as Gemini surges ahead. Explore key metrics, rival advancements, and OpenAI’s response in this in-depth analysis.

What is causing the decline in ChatGPT user growth?

ChatGPT user growth decline stems from market saturation and intensifying competition, as revealed by Sensor Tower’s latest report for November 2025. While ChatGPT’s global monthly active users reached 810 million, up just 6% from August, rivals like Gemini achieved 30% growth in the same period. This slowdown highlights OpenAI’s challenges in maintaining dominance amid rapid innovations from competitors.

How is Google’s Gemini outperforming ChatGPT?

Google’s Gemini chatbot is surpassing ChatGPT in key growth metrics, including downloads, monthly active users, and daily engagement time, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. From August to November 2025, Gemini’s global monthly active users increased by 30%, fueled by the September release of its Nano Banana image generation model, which boosted adoption significantly. In contrast, ChatGPT’s user base grew only 6% over the same timeframe, signaling potential saturation.

Sensor Tower reports that Gemini users now spend an average of 11 minutes per day in the app, a 120% rise from March 2025, attributed to enhanced features like seamless Android integration. This allows twice as many U.S. Android users to access Gemini directly through the operating system compared to its standalone app, providing Google a strategic edge in Android-dominated markets worldwide.

Expert analysis from Sensor Tower analysts underscores that such integrations could accelerate Gemini’s market share, potentially narrowing the gap with ChatGPT’s 55% hold on monthly active users. As of November 2025, Gemini’s share of global monthly active users in the AI chatbot space rose by 3% over the past seven months, while ChatGPT’s dipped by 3% in the last four months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the latest user growth statistics for ChatGPT and Gemini in 2025?

ChatGPT’s global monthly active users grew 180% year-over-year to 810 million by November 2025, but only 6% from August, per Sensor Tower. Gemini saw 170% year-over-year growth with a 30% quarterly increase, highlighting its momentum in downloads and engagement.

Why is OpenAI concerned about competition from rivals like Gemini?

OpenAI is issuing a “code red” alert internally, urging focus on personalization, reliability, and image generation improvements, as Gemini’s rapid gains in user metrics threaten ChatGPT’s lead. This stems from Gemini’s doubled daily usage time and broader accessibility via Android, per recent Sensor Tower insights.

Key Takeaways

• Market Saturation for ChatGPT: With 50% of global downloads and 55% of active users, ChatGPT’s 6% growth from August to November 2025 indicates it’s approaching limits in user expansion.
• Gemini’s Rapid Rise: 30% user growth and 120% increase in daily time spent make Gemini a strong contender, boosted by innovations like Nano Banana for image creation.
• Broader Competition Impact: Perplexity and Claude’s 370% and 190% growth rates in 2025 are eroding ChatGPT’s market share, pushing OpenAI to accelerate product enhancements.

Conclusion

The ChatGPT user growth decline in late 2025 underscores a shifting landscape in AI chatbots, where Google’s Gemini and others like Perplexity are challenging OpenAI’s dominance through superior growth in engagement and accessibility. As Sensor Tower data illustrates sizable year-over-year gains for all major players, the competition remains fierce with no clear end in sight. OpenAI’s push for improvements in reliability and personalization positions it well for future battles, encouraging users and developers to stay attuned to these evolving AI advancements for optimal adoption strategies.

Despite leading with 50% of global mobile downloads and 55% of monthly active users, OpenAI’s ChatGPT is facing a noticeable slowdown in expansion, as detailed in Sensor Tower’s November 2025 report. This intelligence firm highlights that while ChatGPT’s user base climbed to 810 million—a modest 6% increase from August—it’s showing early signs of market saturation after explosive prior growth.

In a striking contrast, Google’s Gemini AI chatbot is accelerating across multiple fronts. Sensor Tower notes Gemini outpacing ChatGPT in download growth, monthly active user expansion, and time spent within the app. If these trends persist over the coming months, Gemini could significantly close the gap, potentially reshaping the AI landscape.

This competitive pressure has evidently alarmed OpenAI, prompting an internal “code red” memo. CEO Sam Altman has directed teams to prioritize enhancements in critical areas such as personalization, reliability, and advanced image generation capabilities. The data reaffirms that the AI race is far from settled, with both ChatGPT and Gemini posting substantial year-over-year increases—180% for ChatGPT and 170% for Gemini as of November.

Delving deeper into the metrics, ChatGPT’s global monthly active users reflect a maturing product nearing its peak potential. The 6% quarterly growth pales against Gemini’s 30% surge, which Sensor Tower attributes largely to the rollout of the innovative Nano Banana image generation model in September. This feature has not only drawn new users but also deepened engagement, with Gemini’s daily app time doubling to 11 minutes per session—a 120% jump from March levels.

ChatGPT, meanwhile, saw only a 6% uptick in daily time spent over the same period, and even a 10% dip in November compared to July. Such disparities illustrate how rivals are capturing attention through fresh functionalities and seamless integrations.

A key advantage for Gemini lies in its deep ties to the Android ecosystem. Sensor Tower reports that U.S. Android users are now twice as likely to interact with Gemini via the operating system itself rather than the dedicated app. This native accessibility extends Gemini’s reach beyond app stores and web platforms, offering Google a foothold in the Android-heavy global market and amplifying its competitive edge.

Beyond the ChatGPT-Gemini duel, the broader AI chatbot arena is heating up. Gemini has steadily gained market share, rising 3% in global monthly active users from May to November 2025, while ChatGPT’s share fell 3% over the prior four months. Competitors like Microsoft’s Copilot, Anthropic’s Claude, xAI’s Grok, and Perplexity are also vying for prominence.

Perplexity and Claude, in particular, have posted remarkable gains, with 370% and 190% year-over-year growth in their chatbots during 2025, respectively, according to Sensor Tower. These triple-digit surges add layers of pressure on ChatGPT, which while still dominant, experienced a downloads increase of 85% year-over-year in November—below its cohort average of 110%.

Gemini and Perplexity led in download momentum, surging 190% and 215% year-over-year. This download disparity, combined with engagement metrics, paints a picture of a dynamic market where innovation drives adoption. For instance, Gemini’s Nano Banana has been pivotal, enhancing user retention and drawing in creators focused on visual AI applications.

OpenAI’s response through the “code red” initiative signals urgency. By refocusing on core improvements, the company aims to reclaim growth trajectories. Analysts from Sensor Tower suggest that sustained investments in multimodal features—like advanced imaging and more reliable responses—could help ChatGPT fend off challengers.

Looking at the full scope, ChatGPT remains the market leader, but the narrowing margins underscore the need for vigilance. As AI technologies evolve, users benefit from diverse options, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Staying informed on these developments ensures stakeholders can leverage the most effective tools for productivity and innovation in an increasingly AI-driven world.