After quickly rising to the top of the App Store in October, OpenAI's video generating app Sora is currently struggling. New data suggests the app is seeing a decline in both downloads and consumer spending as initial hype around the AI social video network fades.
Powered by the OpenAI video generation model Sora 2the iOS version surpassed 100,000 installs on its first day, despite being invite-only. It soon reached number one in the US App Store and reached the 1 million downloads milestone faster than ChatGPT. At the time, Sora's app was only available on iOS and still required an invite, which made its success even more impressive.
However, within weeks of Sora's mobile debut, the app began to lose traction.
According to market intelligence provider data ApplicationsSora downloads dropped 32% month-on-month in December. This is worrying because the holidays are usually a boon for mobile apps, as people get new smartphones and often have time off from work so they can install new apps and games.
The decline continued in January 2026, with installs down 45% month over month, reaching 1.2 million. Consumer spending is also down, down 32% month-over-month since January, Appfigures reports.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Similar to AI-powered TikTok, Sora allows users to create AI-powered videos using suggestions. The unique feature allows users to cast themselves and their friends as the main characters in their videos if they so choose, and shared videos can be remixed by others who can personalize them even further. Videos can also include music, sound effects and dialogue to complement user-created scenes.
Techcrunch event
Boston, MA
|
June 23, 2026
In total, Sora's app had 9.6 million downloads on iOS and Android, with consumer spending of $1.4 million. The United States accounted for the majority of this amount ($1.1 million), followed by Japan, Canada, South Korea and Thailand.
Customers spent $367,000 on Sora's app this month, down from December's peak of $540,000.
In the US App Store, Sora is no longer among the top 100 free apps. It currently ranks 101st. The highest place is 7th in the Photo and Video category. On Google Play in the US, the app fares worse as it ranks 181st among the most popular free apps.
These numbers are still too high to call the app “dead,” but they are concerning.
The decline is likely due to many factors working together.
To start with, Google's Gemini, especially its Nano Banana model, has proven to be a fierce competitor, helping the Gemini AI application gain popularity. Sora also competes with Meta AI, whose app launched the AI-powered Vibes video, boosting downloads in October, just as Sora was launching.
At the same time, OpenAI has struggled to contain copyright infringements in Sora. Initially, the company told Hollywood studios and agencies that they would have to stop using their IP address on Sora, which of course was welcomed by the studio reaction. However, without robust copyright controls, users were able to create AI-powered videos using popular characters such as SpongeBob and Pikachu, which fueled adoption. To calm Hollywood and head off legal threats, Sora moved from an opt-out model to an opt-in model and increased restrictions on the app.
Last month, the door opened a little wider when OpenAI announced a deal with Disney that allowed users to generate videos in Sora featuring its characters. But so far, the news hasn't boosted Sora installs or consumer spending. (That being said, this isn't necessarily a good look for Disney some depraved movies Sora users created their characters.)
Sora 2 was released to great hype, with some calling it “a”. disruption for social media and TikTok AI. However, many users were not interested in allowing others – even their friends – to use their likeness to create AI-powered videos. Without familiar faces and restrictions on the use of commercial intellectual property, interest in Sora seems to have waned. Time will tell if the app returns with more copyright agreements or new features.
