Report Indicates Slowdown in ChatGPT User Growth
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ChatGPT Faces Stiff Competition as Google’s Gemini Gains Momentum
Recent analysis from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower suggests that ChatGPT’s explosive growth may be starting to level off. Despite OpenAI’s AI chatbot maintaining its position as the market leader—with a commanding 50% share of global mobile downloads and 55% of monthly active users—Google’s Gemini is rapidly closing the gap. The newly released data highlights that Gemini has begun to outperform ChatGPT in several key areas, including download rates, growth of monthly active users, and time spent in the app.
The Shift in Market Dynamics
As the competitive landscape evolves, the rapid adoption of Google Gemini could significantly narrow the gap with ChatGPT in the near future. This potential shift has raised concerns within OpenAI, leading to a “code red” memo from CEO Sam Altman. In this memo, Altman directed the company to prioritize improvements across a range of functionalities, including personalization, reliability, and image generation technologies.
Current Growth Statistics: ChatGPT vs. Gemini
Looking at the latest statistics, it’s evident that both ChatGPT and Gemini continue to experience substantial growth. As of November 2025, ChatGPT’s global monthly active users increased year-over-year by an impressive 180%. Meanwhile, Gemini has recorded a solid gain of 170% in the same timeframe.
Despite these impressive numbers, a closer look reveals that ChatGPT’s monthly active user growth has only risen by approximately 6% from August to November, ultimately totaling around 810 million users. According to Sensor Tower, this modest growth could be an indicator that ChatGPT is nearing market saturation.
In contrast, Google Gemini’s monthly active users surged by roughly 30% during the same period, thanks in part to the launch of its new image generation model, Nano Banana, which has captured user interest.
Competitive Edge: Gemini’s Unique Access
Interestingly, the Sensor Tower report highlights a significant shift in user engagement with Gemini. About twice as many U.S. Android users interact with Gemini directly through the Android operating system compared to those using the standalone mobile app. This dual-access point provides Google with a competitive advantage in a global market dominated by Android, suggesting that Gemini’s reach is not confined solely to a mobile or web interface.
Market Share Insights
Gemini is steadily increasing its footprint within the overall AI chatbot market, positioning itself favorably against other leading apps such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, and Grok. From May to November 2025, Gemini reportedly gained three percentage points in market share concerning global monthly active users. In stark contrast, ChatGPT experienced a decline of three percentage points in its share during the same timeframe.
The competitive environment is further complicated by the rise of alternatives like Perplexity and Claude, both of which reported exceptional growth rates in 2025. Perplexity saw its user base soar by an astonishing 370% year-over-year, while Claude’s figures increased by 190%.
Download Statistics: A Lagging ChatGPT
ChatGPT also recorded an 85% increase in global downloads year-over-year by November, but this figure falls short of the average growth rate of 110% observed within the broader cohort of AI chatbot applications. Gemini and Perplexity led the way with substantial growth rates of 215% and 190%, respectively.
Time Spent in App: The Gemini Advantage
Another critical metric revealing the changing dynamics is the time users spend within the app. According to Sensor Tower, Gemini users have more than doubled their time in the app in recent months, spending an average of 11 minutes daily by November—a dramatic increase of 120% since March. This spike can likely be attributed to the popularity of the Nano Banana image generation model, which debuted in September.
Conversely, ChatGPT users experienced only a modest 6% increase in daily time spent on the platform during the same period. Alarmingly, this figure represents a 10% decline from the time spent by users in July.
The Road Ahead: OpenAI’s Strategic Focus
Current data indicates that Google may be closing in on ChatGPT’s status as the dominant player in the market. Much of Gemini’s recent success can be traced back to the impact of its innovative features like Nano Banana. To regain its momentum, OpenAI must prioritize the development and release of new products and enhancements that resonate similarly with users.
Conclusion: A Competitive Future
In summary, the competitive landscape in the AI chatbot sector is becoming increasingly intricate. While ChatGPT has enjoyed a strong lead, its growth appears to be stabilizing, while Google’s Gemini is capitalizing on user engagement and app functionality to gain ground. The ongoing developments and strategic responses from both companies will be crucial in determining their trajectories in the coming months. As this cat-and-mouse game continues, the overall consumer experience is likely to benefit from this heightened competition, ultimately resulting in more advanced and compelling AI chatbot solutions.
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