OpenAI’s Sora app is seeing a sharp slowdown in downloads and consumer spending after a standout launch that briefly put it at the top of the U.S. App Store, according to figures cited by multiple reports. Data from Appfigures referenced in those reports shows month-over-month declines through December and January, alongside a drop in U.S. App Store rankings.
Sora is OpenAI’s AI video-generation app, and reports describe it as an “AI-flavored TikTok” where people create videos from prompts and share them for others to remix. While the app’s early momentum was strong, the latest tracking suggests the initial hype is fading as Sora faces competition and tighter limits around copyrighted content.
Downloads and spending cool off
TechCrunch reported that Sora’s iOS app launched in October and quickly reached the top of the App Store, after hitting 100,000 installs on its first day even though it was invite-only. TechCrunch also said Sora reached one million downloads faster than ChatGPT did.
But Appfigures data cited by TechCrunch shows Sora’s downloads fell 32% month-over-month in December. That slide continued in January 2026, when installs fell another 45% month-over-month to 1.2 million, according to the same Appfigures data.
Consumer spending has also weakened, with TechCrunch stating that spending was down 32% month-over-month as of January, citing Appfigures. TechCrunch added that users spent $367,000 in the app in January, down from $540,000 in December.
Across iOS and Android, TechCrunch reported that Sora has reached 9.6 million downloads and $1.4 million in consumer spending to date. TechCrunch said the U.S. accounts for $1.1 million of that spending, followed by Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand.
App rankings slide in the U.S.
Sora is no longer in the Top 100 overall free apps on the U.S. App Store, and TechCrunch reported it currently sits at No. 101. TechCrunch said the app’s highest placement is No. 7 in the Photo & Video category.
On Google Play in the U.S., TechCrunch reported Sora ranks lower at No. 181 among top free apps. TechBuzz echoed the same ranking figures and described the shift as a rapid drop from the app’s earlier chart position.
Newsbytes also reported a dip in engagement, saying daily active users dropped from one million to around 750,000 by December and that average daily time in the app was about 13 minutes. Newsbytes compared that figure with TikTok, describing typical sessions as about an hour and a half.
What the Sora app does
TechCrunch described Sora as a prompt-based AI video creation app where users can generate scenes and add elements like music, sound effects, and dialogue. TechCrunch also said a key feature lets users “cast” themselves or their friends as the main characters in videos, and that shared videos can be remixed by other users.
Newsbytes similarly described Sora as a video generator built around prompts, comparing the format to TikTok-style creation and sharing. Together, the reports frame Sora as both a creation tool and a social feed that depends on users making and remixing clips.
Competition and copyright pressures
TechCrunch suggested the slowdown is likely tied to several factors happening at once, including competition from Google’s Gemini and Meta AI. TechCrunch wrote that Meta AI launched an AI-powered “Vibes” video feature that boosted Meta AI’s October downloads around the same time Sora was taking off.
TechCrunch also reported that OpenAI has struggled to contain copyright infringement inside Sora, describing early backlash after OpenAI initially told Hollywood studios and agencies they would need to opt out if they didn’t want their IP used. According to TechCrunch, users were able to generate videos featuring popular characters such as SpongeBob and Pikachu, and that content helped drive adoption.
To address Hollywood concerns and legal risk, TechCrunch said OpenAI moved from an opt-out approach to an opt-in model and increased restrictions inside the app. TechCrunch also reported that OpenAI later announced a deal with Disney that allowed users to generate videos with Disney characters, but said installs and consumer spending had not increased following that news.
Finally, TechCrunch noted that some users may be uncomfortable with others—even friends—using their likeness to make AI videos, and suggested that this could be one reason interest cooled after the initial excitement. TechCrunch said whether the app can rebound with more copyright deals or new features remains uncertain.
