For years, U.S.-based tech giants have leveraged India’s expanding internet user base for growth, and OpenAI is following suit. Despite India being one of the fastest-growing markets for ChatGPT, converting this adoption into substantial revenue is proving difficult. Analytics from SensorTower reveal that Indian users have spent $8 million on ChatGPT subscriptions via in-app purchases since 2023, a stark contrast to the $330 million spent by U.S. users. This discrepancy is partly attributed to the absence of localized pricing, with the cheapest plan costing $20 (over ₹1,700) monthly—a price point deemed steep for the Indian market.
Despite current revenue figures, India’s potential as a growth catalyst for OpenAI is undeniable. With over 950 million internet users, India represents a significant opportunity for OpenAI to achieve its ambition of becoming a platform with billions of users. OpenAI’s exploration of partnerships, such as with Reliance Jio, India’s leading mobile carrier, underscores its commitment to expanding its user base in the region.
Organic growth in India continues, with the ChatGPT Android app seeing over 20% of its global downloads originating from the country this year. The introduction of a revamped image generator capable of creating Ghibli-style art has further fueled interest. Globally, ChatGPT boasts over 500 million weekly users, highlighting its widespread appeal.
