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Meta's Muse AI App Outpaces ChatGPT's Early Mobile Launch in Downloads and Daily Active Users

New data from Apptopia shows Muse attracted 1.8 million iOS downloads in its first 12 days in the US and Canada, compared to ChatGPT's 1.3 million.

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
Meta's new AI assistant app, Muse, is off to a stronger start on mobile than OpenAI's ChatGPT, according to estimates from market intelligence firm Apptopia. In the first 12 days after launch, Muse was downloaded 1.8 million times on iOS in the US and Canada, surpassing ChatGPT's 1.3 million downloads in the same period. Apptopia also reports that Muse's daily active user count in the US is higher than ChatGPT's was at the equivalent stage.

The comparison, made possible by Apptopia's analysis of iOS data restricted to the US and Canada, addresses the differing launch strategies of the two apps. ChatGPT debuted globally on iOS only, while Muse launched on both iOS and Android but is limited to the US and Canada. By normalising for platform and geography, Apptopia found Muse had a 38% download advantage over ChatGPT at the 12-day mark.

Overall, Muse has racked up 2.8 million total installs globally in its first 12 days. The app has climbed from No. 2 to No. 1 on the US App Store, according to Business Insider, topping ChatGPT in the charts. Another analytics firm, Appfigures, reported that Muse had crossed 1 million downloads shortly after launch.

The data suggests that Meta's bet on a multi-platform, region-focused rollout may have paid off in terms of early traction. However, it is still early days, and the long-term retention and engagement numbers will be critical to determining whether Muse can sustain its lead over ChatGPT.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Muse's strong launch signals that Meta has a viable competitor in the consumer AI assistant space, challenging OpenAI's early dominance.
  • The comparison highlights how launch strategy (platform exclusivity vs. regional staging) can affect early adoption metrics.
  • If Muse maintains momentum, it could reshape the AI assistant market and intensify competition between major tech firms.

Background

Meta has been investing heavily in AI, and Muse represents its most direct consumer-facing competitor to ChatGPT. The app offers a personal AI agent integrated with Meta's ecosystem. ChatGPT's mobile launch in May 2023 set a high bar, quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing apps. Comparing early-stage metrics provides a snapshot of initial public reception, though long-term success depends on user retention and feature updates.

Key Perspectives

Meta: Muse's multi-platform availability and tight integration with Meta's social apps could give it a distribution advantage. The early numbers validate their go-to-market strategy. OpenAI: ChatGPT benefited from first-mover advantage and global immediate availability. Its early mobile launch was iOS-only, which may have capped initial downloads compared to a dual-platform launch. Critics/Skeptics: Early download spikes do not guarantee sustained engagement. The AI assistant market is crowded, and user retention will be the true test. Muse's regional limitation means it has not yet faced global competition.

What to Watch

  • Weekly active user (WAU) and retention rates for Muse versus ChatGPT in the coming months.
  • Expansion of Muse to additional countries and whether adoption accelerates or plateaus.
  • OpenAI's response — potential Android launch timing or feature updates to counter Meta's momentum.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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