A 2026 report by Sensor Tower shows that although ChatGPT remains the leading AI platform with 1.1 billion monthly users, its market share has declined to 46.4%.
The decline has largely been driven by the rise of competing platforms, particularly Google’s Gemini, which now accounts for 27.7% of the AI market, and Anthropic’s Claude, which holds a 10.3% share.
One factor behind users switching platforms is trust in companies and their operations. For example, agreements that OpenAI has entered into with the U.S. Department of Defense have prompted some users to stop using its products, including ChatGPT.
Overall, the AI market is generating increasing revenues, with users expected to spend more than $4.2 billion on AI applications during the first half of 2026.
Claude leads in terms of paid subscriptions, with 13% of its users paying for premium services.
In an effort to boost revenue, OpenAI began introducing advertisements in ChatGPT, with about 17% of users reportedly seeing them in May.
AI applications are also reshaping online shopping by directing consumers to various platforms, including Walmart. Meanwhile, companies such as Amazon have restricted connections between their websites and ChatGPT.
Meanwhile, some companies have taken steps to limit how AI systems interact with their platforms. Amazon, for instance, has restricted pathways that allow ChatGPT to connect directly with its website, reflecting broader debates over how AI companies access and use online content.
Experts believe competition among AI developers is likely to intensify in the coming years as companies race to improve their models, attract paying users and establish themselves in an industry that is expected to become one of the most lucrative sectors of the global economy.
