DeepSeek Overtakes ChatGPT as Global App Store Leader, Disrupting the AI Landscape
In a stunning turn of events, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab, has surged to the top of app store charts worldwide, dethroning the U.S.-based AI chatbot ChatGPT. According to mobile app analytics firm Appfigures, DeepSeek’s mobile app is now the No. 1 free app in the U.S. App Store and in 51 other countries, marking a significant milestone in the competitive AI industry.
This rapid ascent follows DeepSeek’s recent release of a series of open AI models that rival those from industry giants like OpenAI and Google. What sets DeepSeek apart is its claim of achieving comparable results at a fraction of the cost, using significantly less advanced AI chips. This breakthrough in efficiency has sent shockwaves through the tech sector, with Nvidia’s stock price plummeting as much as 17% on Monday and prompting heightened scrutiny from competitors.
A Meteoric Rise in Downloads
DeepSeek’s mobile app has seen explosive growth in just a matter of days. As of Monday morning, the app had reached 2.6 million downloads across both the App Store and Google Play, doubling its Friday count of 1 million. The app now ranks in the Top 10 free apps in 111 countries on the App Store and 18 countries on Google Play.
Analytics firm Sensor Tower reports that over 80% of DeepSeek’s total mobile app downloads occurred in the past seven days, with downloads nearly tripling those of Perplexity, another leading consumer AI app.
Climbing the Charts
DeepSeek’s climb to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. On Sunday, January 26, the app claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store, up from No. 31 just days earlier. On Google Play, it jumped from No. 133 on January 24 to No. 14 in the Overall free app category.
This surge in downloads has translated into a significant increase in daily active users. From January 24 to 25, daily active users grew by over 110% globally and in the U.S. compared to the same period the previous week.
A Global Phenomenon
While China remains DeepSeek’s largest market, accounting for 23% of its total downloads, the app’s success is truly global. The United States represents 15% of downloads, followed by Egypt at 6%. This widespread adoption underscores DeepSeek’s ability to resonate with users across diverse markets.
Challenging the Status Quo
DeepSeek’s rise raises important questions about the durability of established consumer AI apps like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. While these apps boast hundreds of millions of monthly users, DeepSeek’s rapid ascent demonstrates the volatility of the consumer AI space and the potential for new entrants to disrupt the market.
However, achieving the No. 1 spot on the App Store is not solely based on download numbers. Apple’s algorithm considers factors like the velocity of installs, allowing apps with rapid growth to leapfrog those with larger user bases. The true test will be whether DeepSeek can maintain its top position over time.
A New Era for AI Training
DeepSeek’s success has also sparked intense interest in its AI training methods. The company’s ability to produce competitive models at a lower cost challenges the status quo and puts pressure on leading AI providers to innovate or justify their high compute expenses. Meta, for instance, has reportedly established “war rooms” to analyze DeepSeek’s techniques.
Despite its success, DeepSeek faced challenges this week, including “large-scale malicious” attacks that forced the company to limit registrations for users outside China.
The Road Ahead
DeepSeek’s rise is a testament to the dynamic nature of the AI industry. As the tech world grapples with the implications of its breakthrough, one thing is clear: the race for AI dominance is far from over, and DeepSeek has firmly established itself as a formidable contender.
