More than three years after its launch, ChatGPT remains the world's most widely used AI assistant, but its grip on the market is easing as users explore a broader range of tools. According to Sensor Tower's State of AI Report for 2026, ChatGPT's global market share has fallen below 50% for the first time.
The report shows that by the end of May, ChatGPT held 46.4% of the market, down from above 50% in January. At the same time, Google's Gemini rose to 27.7%, while Anthropic's Claude reached 10.3%. Other assistants, including Grok, Perplexity, DeepSeek and Meta AI, continue to build smaller but active user bases.
Despite the shift, ChatGPT still leads in scale with more than 1.1 billion monthly users. Gemini follows with 662 million, and Claude has 245 million. The data also suggests that switching between assistants is becoming a normal part of the AI experience, with users choosing platforms based on workflow, ecosystem fit and trust.
Sensor Tower notes that monetization is also entering a new phase. In the first half of 2026, AI apps are on track to reach nearly 2.3 billion downloads and more than $4.2 billion in spending, up sharply from the previous year. Growth remains strong, but the pace is beginning to stabilize as the category matures.
Claude stands out on the revenue side, with 13% of Anthropic users paying for a subscription plan. Meanwhile, ChatGPT has started testing ads and expanding shopping features, sending referral traffic to major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Costco. In parallel, AI tools inside retail platforms are becoming more visible, showing how assistants are moving from novelty to everyday utility.
As AI assistants become more specialized and integrated into daily routines, the next phase of competition may be shaped less by scale alone and more by usefulness, trust and ecosystem depth. That shift could define the future of digital interaction.
