Sora’s OpenAI program is struggling with its powerful implementation

After the fast hit the top of the App Store in October, OpenAI’s video production software Sora now he is suffering. New data shows that the app is seeing a decline in both app downloads and consumer spending, as interest in AI-powered online videos fades.

Powered by OpenAI video format Truth 2the iOS version added 100,000 installs on the first day, though it was invite-only. in the near future hit number 1 on the US App Store, that’s it to arrive 1 million downloads much faster than ChatGPT. At the time, the Sora app was only available for iOS and still needed to be called in, making its success all the more impressive.

However, in the weeks since Sora’s mobile launch, the app has started to lose traction.

Based on data from a market intelligence provider App iconsSora’s downloads fell 32% month over month in December. This is because the holidays are often a boon for mobile apps, as people are gifted with new phones and often have time off from work, which allows them to install new apps and games.

The decline continued in January 2026, posting a 45% month-on-month drop, reaching 1.2 million. Consumer usage is also down, down 32% month-on-month since January, Appfigures said.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Like AI-flavored TikTok, Sora allows users to create AI videos using gestures. A special feature allows users to cast themselves and their friends as the main characters in videos, if they choose, while shared videos can be edited by others who can edit them. Videos can also include music, sounds, and dialogue to complement user creations.

Overall, the Sora app has been downloaded 9.6 million on iOS and Android, with $1.4 million in consumer spending to date. The US is the largest spender ($1.1 million) of this figure, followed by Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Thailand.

This month, customers spent $367,000 in the Sora app, down from December’s peak of $540,000.

On the US App Store, Sora is no longer in the top 100 free apps. It is currently ranked at number 101. Its highest ranking is No. 7 in the Photo & Video category. On Google Play in the US, this app ranks high, as it is number 181 among the top free apps.

Those numbers are still too high to label the app as “dead,” but he’s worried.

This decline is caused by several factors working together.

First, Google Gemini, especially his Nano Banana modelhas proven to be a fierce competition, to help his The Gemini AI program is popular. Sora also competes with Meta AI, whose software launched the AI-powered Vibes video, extending its download for Octoberwhen Sora was leaving.

At the same time, OpenAI fought the infringement of the law in Sora. At first, the company told the studios and Hollywood agencies that they had to stop using their IP in Sora, which naturally saw the studio. to go back. But without strong copyright controls, users were able to create AI videos using popular characters, such as SpongeBob and Pikachu, which drove adoption by children. To please Hollywood and avoid legal threats, Sora has been moved from opt-in and restrictions were increased in the program.

Last month, the doors opened a little like OpenAI has announced a partnership with Disneywhich allowed users to create videos of Sora and his characters. But so far, these issues have not increased Sora’s placement or consumer spending. (Not even a good Disney feature, mind you some of the bad videos Sora’s users had created it with his characters.)

Sora 2 was released to great hype, some calling it a to interfere to social media and AI’s TikTok. But many users were not interested in allowing others – even friends – to use their features to create AI videos. With no familiar faces and restrictions on commercial IP use, public interest in Sora seems to have faded. Whether the program can be relaunched with more copyrights or new content remains to be seen.