ChatGPT has now reached a total of $3 billion in global consumer spending on mobile devices, based on estimates from app intelligence firm Appfigures. This cumulative amount reflects all spending on both iOS and Android platforms since the app's initial release in May 2023, when it was first available only on iOS.

A significant portion of that spending occurred in the current year. Worldwide, users are estimated to have spent about $2.48 billion in the ChatGPT mobile app in 2025, marking a 408% increase compared to the $487 million spent in 2024. During its debut year in 2023, the app generated $42.9 million, which then surged by 1,036% to reach the following year's total.

This rapid growth highlights a swift rise in consumer adoption relative to other widely-used applications. ChatGPT also achieved the $3 billion milestone more quickly than leading streaming services such as Disney+ and HBO Max, which took 42 months and 46 months, respectively, to reach the same figure.

Among AI competitors, xAI's Grok is following a revenue path similar to ChatGPT's. Grok launched in late 2023 for X Premium Plus subscribers before becoming more widely accessible last year. When comparing the pace of consumer spending across AI apps, Grok has come the closest to matching ChatGPT's cumulative revenue at a comparable stage after beginning monetization. (This comparison is illustrated in the chart below, which aligns spending data with each app's monetization start date.)

While $3 billion in spending indicates strong consumer uptake, it is not the sole measure of AI app adoption or long-term revenue potential. ChatGPT's mobile users are purchasing paid subscriptions, such as the $20 monthly ChatGPT Plus or the $200 monthly ChatGPT Pro for advanced features. However, AI applications can also generate income through other avenues, including developer services and, potentially for ChatGPT in the near future, advertising. Additionally, ChatGPT recently introduced its own app marketplace, which the company indicated will eventually include monetization options, according to a blog post. Meanwhile, Google is exploring ways to adapt its established search advertising business for AI-driven search, incorporating ads into AI Mode, AI Overviews, AI shopping, and an increasingly AI-enhanced Discover page. Anthropic is targeting the business sector and is reportedly projected to achieve $70 billion in revenue by 2028.