The AI app DeepSeek, developed by a Chinese lab, has surged to the top of app store charts worldwide, replacing ChatGPT as the leading app. Over the weekend, DeepSeek claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store and in 51 other countries, according to mobile app analytics firm Appfigures. This unexpected rise marks a new chapter in the competitive world of AI-powered apps.
DeepSeek’s rapid growth
DeepSeek’s mobile app has seen explosive growth in recent days, driven by the launch of its new open AI models. These models, rival offerings from OpenAI and Google, were reportedly trained using less advanced chips at a fraction of the cost. This efficiency has disrupted the industry, with Nvidia’s stock price dropping by as much as 17% on Monday. The tech world is now closely monitoring the implications of DeepSeek’s breakthroughs.
DeepSeek downloads have soared, reaching 2.6 million across the App Store and Google Play as of Monday morning. Just days earlier, the app had only 1 million downloads. As reported by Appfigures, DeepSeek is now a top app in 111 countries on the App Store and 18 countries on Google Play. Over 80% of DeepSeek’s total downloads have occurred in the past week alone, showing a remarkable 300% increase compared to competitors like Perplexity.
In the U.S., DeepSeek climbed to the No. 1 position on the App Store on January 26, after being ranked 31 just days before. It now holds the 14th spot on Google Play’s Overall Free Apps chart, rising rapidly from 133 on January 24. Daily active users in the U.S. and globally have more than doubled in the past week.
Global appeal with a strong U.S. presence
Although China remains DeepSeek’s largest market, accounting for 23% of its total downloads, the app’s popularity spans far beyond its home country. The U.S. represents 15% of its downloads, making it the second-largest market, followed by Egypt at 6%.
The app’s ability to attract a global audience raises questions about the stability of established AI apps like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. While these apps boast hundreds of millions of users monthly, DeepSeek’s rise shows that the consumer AI market remains dynamic and open to new challengers.
What’s next for DeepSeek and the industry?
Reaching the top of the App Store involves more than just downloads. Apple’s ranking algorithm considers factors such as the speed of installs, which has helped DeepSeek surpass apps with larger user bases. However, the real test will be whether DeepSeek can maintain its top position over time.
DeepSeek’s innovative AI models have pressured competitors to improve their offerings and justify the high costs of advanced training techniques. Meta, for example, is investigating DeepSeek’s methods through several “war rooms” to understand its approach.
Despite its success, DeepSeek has faced challenges. On Monday, the company reported “large-scale malicious” attacks, prompting it to restrict new registrations for users outside China. Whether these issues will hinder its growth remains to be seen.
DeepSeek’s rise reminds us that the AI app market is still evolving, and even dominant players must adapt to stay ahead in this competitive field.
