The DeepSeek AI assistant has rocketed to the top of global mobile app charts, surpassing even the most well-established competitors. The chatbot, which launched in early January, is now the most-downloaded app across both Android and iPhone platforms, with India driving the majority of new users.
According to data from Appfigures, DeepSeek hit No. 1 on Apple’s App Store on January 26, and has maintained that position globally since. India has accounted for 15.6% of all downloads, making it the largest source of new users. On the Google Play Store, the app also topped the charts in the US, reaching the No. 1 spot by January 28, as per Sensor Tower’s research.
In just 18 days, the app recorded 16 million downloads, outpacing OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which reached 9 million downloads in the same time frame when it first launched. This explosive growth has drawn widespread attention and speculation. The success of DeepSeek, which offers its services for free, has led some to believe that it may signal a shift in AI development — showing that AI tools can be built and scaled without massive investment in hardware.
However, while DeepSeek has certainly made waves, it still trails behind the user base of ChatGPT, which remains the dominant player in the AI space. There are also potential obstacles ahead for DeepSeek’s continued growth. According to Bloomberg, many organizations, including government contractors, have already taken precautions by blocking the app due to cybersecurity concerns.
Despite these challenges, DeepSeek’s rapid rise signals a growing interest in AI applications, and could change the way developers approach the future of artificial intelligence.
Bloomberg
