ChatGPT, Uber, Temu and Netflix Top Global App Downloads in 2025
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, ride-hailing platform Uber, e-commerce app Temu, and video streaming service Netflix ranked among the most downloaded mobile applications worldwide in 2025, according to the State of Mobile 2026 report released by Sensor Tower.
The annual report analyses app downloads across the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, covering key sectors including AI, Social Media, Retail, Finance, Video Streaming, Travel & E-hailing, Gaming, Sports, and Food & Drinks.
ChatGPT Tops Overall App Downloads
Across all categories, ChatGPT emerged as the most downloaded app globally in 2025, highlighting the rapid mainstream adoption of generative AI tools.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, claimed the second spot, reflecting the sustained global popularity of short-form video, particularly among Gen Z users. Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Messenger followed closely in third, fourth, and fifth positions, underlining Meta’s continued dominance in mobile engagement.
Rounding out the top 10 most downloaded apps were CapCut, Temu, Google Gemini, Telegram, and Snapchat.
Sensor Tower noted that download figures were calculated on a per-user basis, meaning repeat downloads by the same Apple or Google account were excluded.
Social Media Downloads Slow, Engagement Grows
In the social media category, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Messenger ranked as the top five most downloaded apps globally in 2025. Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), and WeChat also featured in the top 10.
Despite strong engagement, total global downloads for social media apps declined by 12%, falling from 9.14 billion in 2024 to 8.07 billion in 2025, the lowest level since 2022.
However, total time spent on social media apps increased slightly, rising from 3.3 trillion hours in 2024 to 3.4 trillion hours in 2025. Social and messaging platforms accounted for over 60% of total time spent across all mobile apps during the year.
Retail: Temu Leads Downloads, Amazon Dominates Usage
In retail, Temu and SHEIN topped global app downloads, followed by Amazon Shopping, Meesho, and Shopee.
While Temu led in downloads, Amazon remained the most used retail app globally, averaging 685 million monthly active users in Q4 2025. Alibaba, Flipkart, AliExpress, Mercado Libre, and Myntra completed the top 10.
Overall retail app downloads declined by 2% year-on-year to 6.4 billion, driven by slower expansion from Chinese platforms and market saturation, particularly amid rising U.S. tariffs.
Finance Apps Cross 8 Billion Downloads
Finance apps recorded strong growth in 2025, with Digital Wallets and P2P Payments dominating the category.
PhonePe, PayPal, Navi, Paytm, and Google Pay led finance app downloads, reflecting a shift away from cryptocurrency toward credit, lending, and payment solutions.
Global finance app downloads rose 6% YoY, reaching 8.2 billion, the first time the category surpassed the 8-billion mark. Time spent within finance apps also grew by 8.5%, hitting 42 billion hours.
Video Streaming Sees Short-Drama Boom
In video streaming, DramaBox, ReelShort, and Netflix topped downloads globally in 2025.
The category saw a 39% year-on-year surge in downloads, climbing from 3.8 billion to 5.3 billion, driven largely by the global resurgence of short-form drama content. Total time spent on video streaming apps also increased by 8%, reaching 109 billion hours, signalling a shift in consumer viewing habits.
AI Apps Record Explosive Growth
AI assistants dominated the AI category, with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DeepSeek, Doubao, and Perplexity ranking as the top five most downloaded AI apps globally.
AI apps experienced a dramatic 240% increase in time spent, jumping from 13.4 billion hours to 48.1 billion hours in 2025. Session volume also surpassed one trillion, indicating deeper and more frequent user engagement.
Other notable AI apps in the top 10 included xAI’s Grok, Seeker, Meta AI, and Microsoft Copilot.
Travel and E-Hailing Continue to Expand
In the travel category, Uber emerged as the most downloaded app globally, followed by Google Maps, Wave, and inDrive, highlighting Uber’s sustained global reach.
Overall travel app downloads and time spent grew by 3% and 8% respectively, driven largely by rapid digital adoption and infrastructure expansion in emerging markets.
Sports Apps Hit Record Engagement
Sports apps also saw strong performance in 2025. Dream11, DAZN, BeSoccer, My11Circle, Flashscore, Sofascore, and ESPN led global downloads.
Total sports app downloads reached nearly 1.2 billion, surpassing the 2023 peak and signalling record fan engagement.
However, in-app purchase revenue declined from $1.6 billion to $1.4 billion, reflecting pressures in the sports streaming market and the continued impact of piracy despite regulatory crackdowns.
