OpenAI has opened a new app marketplace inside ChatGPT, allowing developers to submit applications that run directly within the chatbot.
This expands ChatGPT from a standalone AI service into a platform that can host third-party tools, the company said on Wednesday.
The new marketplace appears as an app directory inside ChatGPT’s tools menu and has been informally described by users and developers as an “app store.” Developers can now submit their applications for review through the OpenAI Developer Platform.
Approved apps will be published inside ChatGPT and made available to users over the coming year.
“Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions like order groceries, turn an outline into a slide deck, or search for an apartment,” OpenAI said in a statement.
The company first announced plans to introduce apps in October, saying it wanted to broaden what users could do within ChatGPT.
At that time, several major companies confirmed integrations, including Expedia for travel planning, Spotify for music discovery, Zillow for real estate searches, and Canva for design and presentation creation.
To support developers, OpenAI released an Apps software development kit (SDK), which is currently in beta. The company said developers will be able to track the review and approval status of their submissions through its developer dashboard.
The launch comes as ChatGPT’s mobile app reaches a major financial milestone. According to estimates from app intelligence firm Appfigures, global consumer spending on the ChatGPT mobile app has now reached $3 billion across iOS and Android devices since its launch in May 2023.
Most of that spending occurred this year. Appfigures estimates that users spent $2.48 billion in 2025, a 408% increase from $487 million in 2024. In its first year, 2023, the app generated $42.9 million in consumer spending.
By comparison, Appfigures said TikTok took 58 months to reach $3 billion in consumer spending, while ChatGPT reached the same figure in 31 months. Streaming services Disney+ and HBO Max reached the milestone in 42 months and 46 months, respectively.
Revenue from the ChatGPT mobile app largely comes from subscriptions, including ChatGPT Plus, priced at $20 per month, and ChatGPT Pro, priced at $200 per month for advanced users. OpenAI has indicated that additional revenue streams may emerge in the future, including developer-related fees and possible advertising.
The company noted in a recent blog post that the new app marketplace is expected to be monetized at a later stage, though no specific model or timeline has been announced.
The expansion places OpenAI in closer competition with other AI companies and major technology firms. Google is testing advertising placements in AI-powered search products, while Elon Musk’s xAI has seen rapid revenue growth with its chatbot, Grok. Anthropic, another AI developer, is focusing on enterprise customers and is reportedly targeting long-term business revenue growth.
