Explosive Growth: ChatGPT’s AI Chatbots Rivals Surge in User Race

ChatGPT, the name synonymous with AI chatbots, might be the reigning champion, but the race for chatbot dominance is far from over. While OpenAI’s creation still holds a massive lead, data reveals a compelling narrative: rivals are not just participating; they’re experiencing significant user growth. Are we witnessing a shift in the AI Chatbots landscape? Let’s delve into the numbers and explore who’s challenging for the top spot.

The Surging Popularity of AI Chatbots Beyond ChatGPT

While ChatGPT boasts impressive figures, with over 500 million weekly active users, the focus is now shifting to its competitors. Analytics firms like Similarweb and Sensor Tower are painting a picture of a vibrant and competitive market. Here’s a breakdown of the key players and their recent growth:

• Google Gemini: Web traffic to Gemini witnessed a healthy 7.4% month-over-month increase in March, reaching an average of 10.9 million daily visits globally.
• Microsoft Copilot: Copilot also experienced growth, with daily visits rising by 2.1% from February to 2.4 million in March.
• Anthropic Claude: Claude marked its presence with 3.3 million average daily visits in March.
• DeepSeek: This Chinese AI chatbot made a significant impact, eclipsing 16.5 million visits in March.
• Grok: Elon Musk’s xAI’s Grok, a relatively new entrant with a web app, matched DeepSeek’s impressive 16.5 million daily web visits.

To put this into perspective, let’s look at a quick comparison table:

Chatbot	Average Daily Web Visits (March)	Month-over-Month Growth
ChatGPT	Significantly Higher (500M+ Weekly Active Users)	–
DeepSeek	16.5 Million	-25%
Grok	16.5 Million	~800%
Gemini	10.9 Million	7.4%
Claude	3.3 Million	–
Copilot	2.4 Million	2.1%

The Fierce Battle for the No. 2 AI Chatbots Spot

David Carr from Similarweb highlights the intense competition for the second spot in the AI Chatbots arena. While DeepSeek initially surged, Grok is exhibiting remarkable momentum, experiencing an almost 800% increase in traffic month-over-month. This rapid growth positions Grok as a strong contender and signals a dynamic shift in the chatbot hierarchy. The data suggests that while ChatGPT leads comfortably, the race to be the top alternative is heating up.

Mobile AI Chatbots Apps are Riding the Wave

It’s not just web traffic that’s on the rise; mobile AI Chatbots apps are also experiencing user base expansion. Sensor Tower data reveals a 21% week-over-week increase in weekly active users for the Claude app around the time of the Claude 3.7 Sonnet model release. Similarly, Gemini app usage saw a 42% jump after the Gemini 2.0 Flash model became widely available. These figures underscore the impact of new model releases and feature additions on user engagement.

Abraham Yousef, a senior analyst at Sensor Tower, points to a combination of factors fueling this growth:

• New AI Model Releases: The introduction of advanced models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet and Gemini 2.0 Flash generates excitement and attracts users.
• Heightened Consumer Interest: General public curiosity and adoption of AI technologies are on the rise.
• New Features and Functions: Innovations like Gemini’s “canvas” feature for coding previews and Anthropic’s continuous tool additions enhance user experience and utility.
• Growing Use Cases: As people discover more ways to utilize AI Chatbots in their daily lives, adoption naturally increases.

ChatGPT’s Dominance Remains, But the Landscape is Evolving

Despite the impressive growth of its rivals, OpenAI’s ChatGPT still holds a significant lead. Its mobile app weekly active users are reportedly ten times greater than Gemini and Claude combined. However, the data clearly indicates that the AI Chatbots market is not a one-horse race. Competition is thriving, innovation is accelerating, and users are exploring a wider range of options. While ChatGPT remains the giant, the rapid ascent of challengers like Grok and Gemini signals a potentially more distributed and dynamic future for AI Chatbots.

To learn more about the latest AI market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping AI features.