India Is ChatGPT’s Fastest-Growing Market—But There’s a Catch
Over the past few years, American tech giants have eagerly tapped into India’s massive and ever-expanding internet population. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is no different. With over 950 million internet users in India, the country presents a goldmine of digital opportunity.
But while ChatGPT is gaining serious traction among Indian users, there's one problem OpenAI hasn’t cracked yet: monetization.
According to third-party analytics from SensorTower, ChatGPT users in India have spent just $8 million on subscriptions through mobile in-app purchases since 2023. Sounds like a lot? Not quite. Compare that to U.S.-based users, who’ve spent around $330 million in the same time frame—and the revenue gap becomes hard to ignore.
It’s worth noting that these numbers don’t account for web-based purchases, which might paint a fuller picture. Still, the disparity is striking.
One reason for the revenue shortfall may be pricing. In India, the lowest-tier ChatGPT subscription rings in at $20 a month—over ₹1,700. For a country where most digital services are priced affordably, that’s steep. Especially when streaming platforms, mobile plans, and other digital subscriptions are typically offered at local rates.
When asked about their performance in India, OpenAI didn’t share much detail. Instead, the company pointed to a recent post from COO Brad Lightcap, who described India as the platform’s fastest-growing market.
It’s not hard to see why India matters so much to OpenAI. CEO Sam Altman has made it clear that he envisions ChatGPT becoming a multi-billion-user platform. And with India’s sheer volume of connected users, the country could serve as a launchpad for that global vision.
In fact, OpenAI is reportedly exploring a partnership with Reliance Jio—one of India’s largest telecom providers. The goal? To get ChatGPT in front of millions more people by leveraging Jio’s enormous user base.
Despite the pricing hurdle, ChatGPT’s growth in India hasn’t slowed down. Far from it.
According to Appfigures, a tool that tracks mobile app activity, India accounted for more than 20% of all ChatGPT Android app downloads this year alone. That’s a staggering figure—and it underscores the app’s rising popularity in the region.
Part of the recent surge in downloads can be linked to ChatGPT’s revamped image generation feature, which went viral thanks to its uncanny ability to create Studio Ghibli-style visuals. The feature caught fire on social media, prompting a new wave of interest from younger, visually driven users.
Globally, ChatGPT boasts over 500 million weekly users—proof that interest in AI-powered tools is only accelerating. And India’s share of that global user base is growing fast.
While revenue from India may still be relatively small, OpenAI appears to be playing the long game. The country’s digital economy is booming, mobile usage is sky-high, and younger generations are increasingly turning to AI for productivity, creativity, and entertainment.
But if OpenAI wants to convert engagement into real income, local pricing models and regional partnerships will likely be key. India might just be the proving ground for how well OpenAI can balance accessibility with profitability on a global scale.