Let’s face it: we’re all a little obsessed with AI these days. Whether it is asking ChatGPT to write a haiku about your cat or using DeepSeek to figure out why your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, AI apps have become nothing less than our digital sidekicks. All this, before January 2025, when the AI app race hit a new level of drama. We’ve made a few charts to illustrate the explosive growth, fierce competition, and unprecedented adoption of these platforms. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about who’s winning, but about how fast everything is changing.
Data source: https://uniquecapital.feishu.cn/wiki/Zwg7wRHXPidjksk1HKUcnhfgn9e?sheet=OBjuZ0
Firstly, let’s dive into how quickly these platforms are capturing users. The time taken to reach 100 million users chart is a stark reminder of how fast things are changing in the digital world. Among AI apps, DeepSeek and ChatGPT stand out with their remarkable speed. DeepSeek, at just 14 days, completely shattered expectations, becoming one of the fastest-growing platforms in history. It’s clear that users are hungry for AI solutions, and DeepSeek has managed to tap into that demand with an intensity not seen before. ChatGPT, while still incredibly fast, took 61 days to reach 100 million users. Rapid growth for both apps signifies more than just popularity—it’s a cultural shift. AI, once a niche technology, is becoming integral to daily life, and these apps are leading the change. The race for user adoption is not just about functionality anymore; it is about how quickly companies can deliver a product that captures the public’s imagination and meets a growing need. When you look at platforms like TikTok (274 days) and WeChat (426 days), their journey to 100 million users seems slow in comparison. The fact that AI apps have achieved such rapid adoption reflects a broader trend: innovation is accelerating, and user expectations are shifting faster than ever. For AI apps, this means the window for success is shorter, and the stakes are higher than ever before.
Data source: https://uniquecapital.feishu.cn/wiki/Zwg7wRHXPidjksk1HKUcnhfgn9e?sheet=OBjuZ0
Now, take a look at the daily active users in this chart, and things get even more interesting. The numbers here tell a story of how the shift in the AI landscape unfolded. Up until January 20, the user base for both platforms — ChatGPT and DeepSeek — was relatively stable. But then, on January 20, DeepSeek unveiled its R1 model, a major update that was designed to rival the performance of ChatGPT-o1. Almost immediately, the tech world took notice. By January 26, media outlets were buzzing with coverage about DeepSeek’s R1 model, piquing interest and driving user engagement. And on January 28, the real game-changer occurred: DeepSeek surged to the top of both the Chinese and US app download charts, capturing everyone’s attention and emerging as ChatGPT’s most formidable challenger.
Data source: https://uniquecapital.feishu.cn/wiki/Zwg7wRHXPidjksk1HKUcnhfgn9e?sheet=OBjuZ0
The rapid rise is not just a victory for DeepSeek, but also a symbol of a broader shift in the AI app landscape. What stands out immediately is the rise of Chinese AI companies: four of the top 10 apps are now Chinese — in stark contrast to just one year ago, when the AI app space was almost exclusively the domain of US companies. Back then, Chinese AI apps were barely on the radar internationally. Now, apps like DeepSeek, Doubao, and CapCut are making their presence felt on a global scale.
As of February 2025, the battle among AI companies appears to be led by ChatGPT and DeepSeek, but everything could change next minute. Whether you’re team ChatGPT or team DeepSeek, one thing’s for sure: the AI app wars are just getting started. And if you’re not paying attention? Well, you might just miss the next big thing. After all, in the world of AI, today’s underdog could be tomorrow’s champion.
