ChatGPT overtakes TikTok and Instagram to become the most downloaded app globally in March 2025

By Mofeoluwa Awe

In a groundbreaking moment on the Global App Chart, ChatGPT soared past TikTok and Instagram to become March 2025’s most downloaded app charts, ChatGPT soared past TikTok and Instagram to become March 2025’s most downloaded non-gaming app, with 46 million installs and a 28% surge from the previous month, February.

This marks ChatGPT’s first time securing the top spot for monthly global downloads, a significant milestone for the AI-powered platform that has reshaped how users interact with artificial intelligence.

The app’s surge in popularity is particularly notable as it knocked TikTok, which had dominated global charts through 2024, down to the second spot, with 45 million downloads in March. Instagram also saw a decline, falling to third place.

The rise of ChatGPT can be attributed not only to its growing brand recognition but also to several key product upgrades. In March, OpenAI introduced its first significant update to its image generation capabilities in over a year, wherein, users can now create stunning visuals and memes in the distinctive style of Studio Ghibli, the iconic Japanese animation studio, sparking a viral trend across social media platforms in late March and early April.

In addition to these image generation improvements, ChatGPT further enhanced its AI voice assistant and relaxed its image moderation policies, broadening the app’s appeal and creative potential.

These new features undoubtedly played a role in driving engagement, but experts like Ariel Michaeli, CEO of Appfigures, suggest that ChatGPT’s growing brand power has been the driving force behind its ascent.

“ChatGPT is quickly becoming a household name, much like Google did in the early 2000s. While there’s healthy competition in the AI space, users tend to flock to ChatGPT due to its established brand recognition,” Michaeli said. This dominance is further evidenced by the app’s 148% growth in downloads year-over-year, comparing QI 2021 to Q1 2025.

Although ChatGPT has claimed the top position, Meta’s suite of apps remains strong in the global rankings. Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other Meta platforms like Threads and CapCut all maintained their place in the top 10 most downloaded apps.

TikTok’s initial 2025 growth was partly fueled by the uncertainty surrounding a potential U.S. ban, which led to a surge in downloads. However, those concerns have eased as negotiations between U.S. officials and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, continue.

Overall, the top 10 non-game apps collectively reached 339 million downloads in March, a notable increase from 299 million in February, signaling an upward trend in global app engagement. Among the top contenders were Telegram, Snapchat, Meta’s Threads, and the fast-growing e-commerce app Temu, in addition to the dominant ChatGPT, Instagram, and TikTok.