OpenAI’s latest creation, Sora, is off to a flying start.
The video-generating app climbed to the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store within days of its release, and it’s already giving ChatGPT’s original launch numbers a run for their money.
According to fresh data from Appfigures, Sora recorded an estimated 627,000 iOS downloads in its first week.
That’s slightly higher than ChatGPT’s 606,000 downloads during its own debut week on iOS.
A Slight Advantage, But Still a Big Win
Now, it’s worth noting that this comparison isn’t entirely apples to apples.
ChatGPT’s iOS launch was U.S.-only, while Sora launched in both the U.S. and Canada.
Even so, Appfigures estimates that Canada only contributed around 45,000 installs, meaning Sora’s U.S. numbers alone would’ve still reached about 96% of ChatGPT’s early performance.
That’s impressive, especially considering how limited Sora’s access is right now.
Invite-Only, Yet Dominating
Here’s the twist: Sora is still invite-only.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, was open to the public from day one.
Despite the exclusivity, Sora managed to pull in tens of thousands of users almost immediately.
On launch day, it racked up 56,000 installs, pushing it to No. 3 on the U.S. App Store. By October 3rd, it officially hit No. 1.
That kind of growth puts Sora ahead of other high-profile AI app launches, including Anthropic’s Claude, Microsoft’s Copilot, and even xAI’s Grok.
Why Everyone’s Talking About Sora
Scroll through X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or TikTok, and you’ll see it — Sora videos everywhere.
The app’s ability to create realistic, AI-generated videos using the new Sora 2 model has captivated users across the internet.
Some are experimenting with creative short films and marketing clips, while others are pushing boundaries, even recreating deepfakes of celebrities and deceased individuals.
This growing trend has sparked conversations around AI ethics, especially after Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, publicly asked people to stop sending her AI-generated videos of her father.
What Makes Sora’s Launch Different
Sora’s debut isn’t just another AI app launch, it’s a cultural moment.
Unlike many AI tools that fade into the background, Sora blends creativity, storytelling, and technology in a way that feels accessible to everyday users.
The combination of powerful video generation and viral content sharing has made it an instant hit, even before it becomes widely available.
Let’s be real. If this is what Sora can do while still invite-only, the public release could be massive.
How Sora Stacks Up Against Other AI Launches
| AI App | Launch Type | First Week Downloads | Availability | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sora | Invite-only | 627,000 | U.S. & Canada | Realistic video generation |
| ChatGPT | Public | 606,000 | U.S. only | Conversational AI |
| Claude | Public | ~400,000 (est.) | Multi-region | Context-aware chatbot |
| Copilot | Integrated | N/A | Global | Productivity assistant |
What’s Next for Sora?
Right now, OpenAI hasn’t announced when Sora will open up to all users.
But if the numbers tell us anything, it’s that interest is sky-high.
With AI-generated video quickly becoming one of the hottest trends in tech, Sora might soon do for video what ChatGPT did for text – make creation effortless for everyone.
