OpenAI’s video generation app Sora is currently struggling after rocketing to the top of the App Store in October. New data suggests that both app downloads and consumer spending are declining as the initial hype around AI video social networks fades.
The iOS version, powered by OpenAI’s Sora 2 video generation model, surpassed 100,000 installs on its first day, despite being an invite-only experience. It quickly took the number one spot in the US App Store and reached the 1 million download milestone faster than ChatGPT. At the time, Sora’s app was iOS-only and still required an invitation, making its success all the more impressive.
But within weeks of Sora’s mobile debut, the app began to lose momentum.
Sora downloads fell 32% month-on-month in December, according to data from market intelligence provider Appfigures. This is concerning because holidays are usually a boon for mobile apps, as people are often gifted new smartphones, can take time off from work, and install new apps and games.
The decline continued in January 2026, with installs down 45% month-over-month to 1.2 million. Consumer spending declined as well, falling 32% month-on-month in January, according to Appfigures.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Like an AI-flavored TikTok, Sora allows users to create AI videos using prompts. A unique feature allows users to cast themselves or their friends as the main character of the video if they wish, and the shared video can also be remixed by others for further customization. Videos can also include music, sound effects, and dialogue to complete user-created scenes.
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To date, Sora’s apps have had a total of 9.6 million downloads on iOS and Android, and $1.4 million in consumer spending. The United States accounted for the majority of this amount ($1.1 million), followed by Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand.
Customers spent $367,000 on Sora’s apps this month, down from a peak of $540,000 in December.
Sora is no longer ranked in the top 100 overall free apps in the US App Store. It currently ranks 101st. The highest ranking was 7th place in the Photo and Video category. The app fared even worse on Google Play in the US, ranking 181st overall among top free apps.
These numbers are still too high to consider the app “dysfunctional,” but they’re concerning.
This decline may be caused by many factors working together.
First, Google’s Gemini, especially the Nano Banana model, has proven to be a tough competition, which has made the company’s Gemini AI app popular. Sora also competes with Meta AI. Meta AI’s app launched AI-powered Vibes videos and increased downloads in October, just as Sora was starting to take off.
At the same time, OpenAI has struggled to curb piracy on Sora. The company initially told Hollywood studios and agencies that they needed to opt out of having their IP used in Sora, but there was understandable pushback from the studios. But without strong copyright controls, users were able to create AI videos featuring popular characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Pikachu, which helped drive adoption. To appease Hollywood and avoid legal threats, Sola moved from an opt-out model to an opt-in model and tightened restrictions on the app.
Last month, more doors opened when OpenAI announced a deal with Disney that will allow users to generate videos within Sora using its characters. But so far, this news has not increased Sora installations or consumer spending. (Also, this isn’t necessarily a good look for Disney, considering some of the raunchy videos Sora users have made with the characters.)
Sora 2 was released with great hype, with some calling it the disruption of social media and AI to TikTok. However, many users were not interested in having someone else (even their own friends) create an AI video using their likeness. People’s interest in Sora seems to be waning due to the lack of familiar faces and limited use of commercial IP. It remains to be seen whether the app can make a comeback with more copyright deals and new features.
