ChatGPT Generates $2.5B in GenAI App Revenue in 2026

In the first half of 2026, ChatGPT accounted for more than $2.5 billion of the global in-app purchase (IAP) revenue generated by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) applications, as reported by Sensor Tower in its State of AI 2026 report. The report estimated that GenAI applications collectively generated over $4 billion in IAP revenue globally during this period.

Despite slower download growth compared to 2025, global GenAI app downloads were projected to reach 2.3 billion, marking a seven percent increase from the previous half-year. The report indicated that consumer engagement with GenAI applications surged, with global time spent on these apps projected to reach 36 billion hours, more than double the 17.2 billion hours from the same period the previous year.

ChatGPT maintained its position as the leading AI assistant by monthly active users, although its market share fell below 50 percent in March 2026, reaching 46 percent by May, while competitors like Google Gemini and Claude also expanded their user bases.