Hajra Naz
After a sensational launch in October, OpenAI’s AI video app Sora is facing a slowdown. Powered by Sora 2, the app topped 100,000 installs on its first day, even as an invite-only iOS app. It quickly hit No. 1 on the U.S. App Store and reached 1 million downloads faster than ChatGPT. At the time, its invite-only model made this growth especially impressive.
Downloads and Spending Decline
Since its debut, Sora has lost momentum. According to Appfigures, downloads dropped 32% in December, despite the holiday season, and fell another 45% in January 2026 to reach 1.2 million installs. Consumer spending also fell 32% month-over-month in January.
Overall, Sora has 9.6 million downloads across iOS and Android and has generated $1.4 million in revenue, with the U.S. contributing $1.1 million, followed by Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand. Spending in January was $367,000, down from December’s peak of $540,000.
On app rankings, Sora has dropped out of the Top 100 Free Apps in the U.S. App Store, now sitting at No. 101, with a highest rank of No. 7 in Photo & Video. On Google Play, it’s even lower at No. 181.
Features and Appeal
Sora lets users create AI-generated videos from prompts, including casting themselves and friends as main characters. Videos can include music, sound effects, and dialogue, and can be remixed by others. Its early success drew comparisons to TikTok, especially as a social AI video platform.
Competition and Challenges
Sora faces stiff competition from Google’s Gemini, particularly its Nano Banana model, and Meta AI’s Vibes video feature.
OpenAI also struggled with copyright issues. Initially, studios had to opt out of having their IP used, but popular characters like SpongeBob and Pikachu were widely used, which drew adoption but angered rights holders. OpenAI later switched to an opt-in system and added restrictions.
Last month, a deal with Disney allowed Sora users to generate videos with its characters, but this has not yet boosted downloads or spending. Some users were also hesitant to let friends use their likeness in AI videos, reducing engagement.
Looking Ahead
Despite early hype and comparisons to TikTok, Sora’s growth has slowed. Without familiar faces or broad commercial IP access, user interest has waned. It remains to be seen whether new copyright deals or features can help Sora regain momentum.
