After a fast ascent in early October, the OpenAI Sora video-generation app is now going through difficulties: new knowledge point out declines in downloads and consumer spending because the prior hype across the AI video social community recedes.
Constructed on the Sora 2 mannequin, the iOS debut gathered greater than 100,000 installations on day one, shortly topped the US App Retailer and reached the one-million-download mark quicker than ChatGPT. At the moment, the service was invite-only, which amplified the notion of its success.
Nonetheless, within the weeks after the cellular debut, curiosity started to wane.
“AI-style TikTok”
Present state of affairs and key metrics
In line with Appfigures, Sora’s December downloads declined by 32% from the earlier month. The vacation season usually supplies a lift to cellular apps, so such a drop has analysts involved.
In January 2026, the decline continued: downloads fell one other 45% in contrast with the earlier month, whole consumer spending declined by 32% and reached about 1.2 million downloads. Consumer spending additionally decreased, Appfigures reviews. OpenAI didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Towards the backdrop of rising competitors from Google’s Gemini with the Nano Banana mannequin, and compared with Meta AI, Sora faces intense aggressive stress, which is mirrored in its obtain dynamics. Copyright issues additionally complicate issues: initially the corporate urged studios to chorus from utilizing their IP in Sora, which sparked outrage; later the mannequin was made extra restrictive and moved to optionally available licensing.
Final month OpenAI introduced a cope with Disney that enables customers to create movies that includes the corporate’s characters in Sora. Nonetheless, to date this has not led to a significant enhance in installs or spending. Furthermore, such a transfer doesn’t appear optimum for Disney, given some provocative movies that includes the characters.
Sora 2 initially generated important hype as an “AI-style TikTok” for social video sharing, however many customers have been reluctant to make use of their very own faces or to have limits on utilizing industrial IP. With the introduction of latest options and potential licensing offers sooner or later, curiosity might rebound, however this stays unsure.
Sara is a TechCrunch reporter since August 2011. Previous to that, she labored greater than three years at ReadWriteWeb and had expertise within the IT sector, together with banking, retail and software program. Contact: [email protected].
Outlook and conclusions
Analysts notice that reviving curiosity in Sora will depend upon whether or not OpenAI can overcome competitors and strike a steadiness between IP rights and the platform’s inventive capabilities. Increasing partnerships, refining content-creation algorithms, and considerate license administration will play a vital function within the service’s future growth. Regardless of the hurdles, the corporate nonetheless has a path again to progress by way of new options and engaging integrations.
