OpenAI’s Sora App Hits No. 3 on U.S. App Store After Strong Launch
Key Points
- Sora recorded 56,000 downloads on its first day.
- Total installs reached 164,000 over the first two days.
- The app climbed to No. 3 on the overall U.S. App Store chart.
- Sora outperformed Claude (21,000) and Copilot (7,000) on day one.
- It tied with xAI’s Grok at 56,000 first‑day downloads.
- ChatGPT and Gemini each surpassed 80,000 day‑one downloads.
- Sora's invite‑only launch was limited to the United States and Canada.
- Its strong debut suggests high consumer interest in AI video generation.
OpenAI’s invite‑only Sora video‑generation app quickly rose to No. 3 on the U.S. App Store, recording 56,000 downloads on its first day and a total of 164,000 installs over the first two days. The launch outpaced several rival AI apps, including Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft’s Copilot, and matched the performance of xAI’s Grok. While Sora remains limited to users in the United States and Canada, its early adoption signals robust consumer interest in AI‑driven video tools.
Record‑breaking debut for OpenAI’s Sora
OpenAI introduced Sora, an AI‑powered video‑creation app, with an invite‑only rollout confined to users in the United States and Canada. Despite the restricted availability, the app’s first‑day download count reached 56,000, and the cumulative installs for the initial two‑day period climbed to 164,000. This rapid uptake propelled Sora to the No. 3 spot on the overall U.S. App Store rankings, showcasing a strong market response to AI video technology.
Comparative performance against other AI applications
When measured against other recent AI app launches, Sora’s numbers stand out. Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft’s Copilot recorded significantly lower day‑one downloads, with Claude at 21,000 and Copilot at just 7,000. In contrast, OpenAI’s own ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini each surpassed 80,000 downloads on day one, placing them ahead of Sora, yet Sora’s performance still eclipsed many competitors. Notably, Sora’s day‑one install figure tied with xAI’s Grok, which also logged 56,000 downloads.
Chart positions and market implications
Beyond raw download counts, Sora’s position on the App Store chart underscores its impact. While ChatGPT captured the No. 1 slot on its second day and Grok settled at No. 4, Sora secured the No. 3 rank, outperforming Copilot (No. 19) and Claude (No. 78). These rankings illustrate a demand for AI‑driven creative tools that extend beyond text‑based assistants, hinting at a broader appetite for generative video capabilities among consumers.
Geographic restrictions and future outlook
The invite‑only model, limiting access to the United States and Canada, may have tempered Sora’s full potential. Analysts suggest that an open launch could have driven even higher install numbers. Nevertheless, the early metrics provide a clear indicator that the market is receptive to AI video generation, and they set a benchmark for future expansions of the service.
Conclusion
OpenAI’s Sora has demonstrated that AI video tools can achieve rapid mainstream traction, even under a constrained rollout. Its strong initial performance relative to both established and emerging AI applications signals a growing consumer enthusiasm for visual generative AI, positioning Sora as a noteworthy contender in the evolving AI app landscape.