OpenAI’s Sora App Is Losing Momentum After a Blockbuster Launch

OpenAI’s AI video app Sora burst onto the scene last October with a launch that looked unstoppable. It shot to the top of the U.S. App Store, racked up downloads at record speed, and sparked buzz as the potential “TikTok of AI.” But just a few months later, that early momentum appears to be fading.

New data suggests Sora is now struggling to maintain user interest. Both downloads and consumer spending are declining as the initial hype around the AI-powered video social network wears off.

Powered by OpenAI’s Sora 2 video generation model, the iOS app crossed 100,000 installs on its very first day—even though it was invite-only at launch. It quickly claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store and reached 1 million downloads faster than ChatGPT, an impressive feat given that it was limited to iOS and restricted access at the time.

Since then, however, the trajectory has shifted.

According to market intelligence firm Appfigures, Sora’s downloads fell 32% month over month in December. That drop is notable, as the holiday season is typically a strong period for mobile apps thanks to new phone activations and increased free time. The decline accelerated in January 2026, with installs down another 45% month over month, landing at 1.2 million downloads for the month. Consumer spending followed a similar pattern, falling 32% month over month in January.

OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment.

Sora positions itself as an AI-native social video platform. Users generate short videos using text prompts, add music, dialogue, and sound effects, and can even cast themselves or friends as characters. Shared videos can be remixed by others, allowing scenes to evolve collaboratively—an experience that feels like a mashup of generative AI and TikTok.

So far, the app has accumulated 9.6 million downloads across iOS and Android and generated $1.4 million in consumer spending. The U.S. accounts for the vast majority of that revenue at $1.1 million, followed by Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand. Still, spending is trending downward: users spent $367,000 in January, down from a December peak of $540,000.

Sora’s App Store rankings reflect the slowdown. It’s no longer in the Top 100 free apps overall in the U.S., currently sitting at No. 101. Its strongest placement is No. 7 in the Photo & Video category. On Google Play, the picture is even bleaker, where Sora ranks No. 181 among free apps in the U.S.

These numbers don’t suggest the app is dead—but they are concerning.

Several factors appear to be contributing to the decline. Competition has intensified, particularly from Google’s Gemini app and its Nano Banana model, which has helped Gemini gain traction. Meta AI is another major rival; its AI-powered Vibes video feature boosted Meta’s app downloads right around the time Sora launched.

Copyright issues have also complicated Sora’s growth. Early on, OpenAI told Hollywood studios and agencies they would need to opt out if they didn’t want their intellectual property used in Sora—an approach that sparked backlash. While loose copyright controls initially fueled adoption (users were generating videos with characters like SpongeBob and Pikachu), OpenAI later tightened restrictions to reduce legal risk. The company shifted to an opt-in model and limited the use of commercial IP, which likely dampened user enthusiasm.

Last month, OpenAI partially reversed course by announcing a deal with Disney that allows users to generate videos featuring Disney characters. So far, though, the partnership hasn’t translated into a rebound in downloads or spending—and it’s raised eyebrows given the questionable content some users previously created with well-known characters.

Sora 2 launched amid enormous hype, with expectations that it could disrupt social media altogether. But many users seem reluctant to let others—even friends—use their likeness in AI-generated videos. Combined with tighter copyright rules and fewer recognizable faces, interest in the app appears to have cooled.

Whether Sora can regain momentum through new features, broader licensing deals, or a clearer identity remains an open question. For now, its early promise is being tested by the realities of competition, content moderation, and user trust.