OpenAI’s new Sora app for AI-powered video creation, has gained remarkable attention since its launch, even though it is currently invite-only and limited to users in the United States and Canada.
On its first day, Sora recorded 56,000 downloads, quickly climbing to become the third most popular app on the U.S. App Store, according to app analytics firm Appfigures.
Sora App Early Success
Within the first two days of its release, spanning September 30 and October 1, the iOS app reached an estimated 164,000 installs, as reported by TechCrunch.
The early success of Sora app places it ahead of several notable AI apps at launch, including Claude by Anthropic and Copilot by Microsoft, and aligns its debut with Grook from xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company.
While OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini achieved stronger first-day numbers, reaching at least 80,000 downloads each, Sora’s performance remains impressive given its invite-only model.
Clear Consumer Demand
Industry experts note that Sora’s restricted availability means its download potential is likely understated. If it were accessible to all users, the app could have seen even higher adoption numbers.
Despite the limitation, Sora’s early traction demonstrates a clear consumer demand for AI-powered video creation tools that offer an experience similar to social media platforms.
Some observers suggest this trend may divert OpenAI’s focus from developing tools aimed at solving complex, impactful problems, instead catering to consumer entertainment and social engagement.
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Sora Took the 3rd Position in App Store
By the second day after launch, Sora app had solidified its position on the App Store, ranking third among all apps in the United States. For comparison, ChatGPT topped the chart on its second day, Groq was fourth, Gemini ranked sixth, Copilot came in nineteenth, and Claude landed at seventy-eighth.
The app’s success highlights the growing popularity of AI tools in creative workflows, particularly in video production, and signals a strong market interest in applications that blend AI with social media-style content creation.
As AI technologies continue to evolve, Sora’s early performance suggests that OpenAI is successfully tapping into a consumer appetite for innovative, user-friendly AI tools, while also competing with major players like Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic in the expanding AI app ecosystem.