India has become ChatGPT’s fastest-growing market, but despite this remarkable uptake, OpenAI is struggling to turn engagement into revenue. According to a new report from TechCrunch, citing third-party data, ChatGPT has seen massive downloads in India, but user spending remains modest when compared to global figures—especially those from the United States.
Rapid Growth, Limited Conversion
Data from analytics firm SensorTower indicates that Indian users have spent around $8 million on ChatGPT subscriptions through in-app purchases since 2023. This excludes payments made via the web. In contrast, users in the United States have spent an estimated $330 million during the same period.
While OpenAI offers a premium plan at $20 per month (roughly ₹1,700), the price point appears steep for a digital subscription in India’s value-conscious market. Despite the pricing gap, user adoption in India has skyrocketed. According to Appfigures, over 20% of ChatGPT’s Android app downloads in 2025 so far have originated from India.
The Viral Ghibli Boost
A recent surge in user activity was sparked by the launch of ChatGPT’s Ghibli-style image generation tool. The feature went viral almost instantly, helping the platform gain one million users in just an hour. CEO Sam Altman described it as one of the “craziest viral moments” he had witnessed—remarkably quicker than ChatGPT’s original launch in 2022, which took five days to hit that milestone.
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India’s Rising AI Influence
India’s increasing prominence in the global AI landscape hasn’t gone unnoticed. In a post on X, Altman praised the country’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence: “What’s happening with AI adoption in India right now is amazing to watch. We love to see the explosion of creativity—India is outpacing the world.”
During his February visit to New Delhi, Altman met with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and highlighted India’s potential to lead the AI revolution. He cited India’s robust tech ecosystem and creativity, adding, “India is very important to us and we hope to have more to share soon. It’s a market we want to do way more in, and are working on some large partnerships here. It’ll be a core part of our future.”
what's happening with ai adoption in india right now is amazing to watch.
we love to see the explosion of creativity–india is outpacing the world.
— Sam Altman (@sama) April 2, 2025
What Lies Ahead
OpenAI’s challenge now lies in aligning its global strategy with regional pricing expectations and economic realities. India may be fueling the platform’s reach, but for OpenAI to build a sustainable business model in the region, it must rethink monetisation tactics that resonate with its vast and diverse user base.
