For years, U.S.-based tech giants have looked to India as a key market for expansion—thanks to its massive and growing base of internet users. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is no different. In fact, the company claims that India is currently one of its fastest-growing markets for ChatGPT.
But while user growth in India may be booming, monetization is telling a different story.
According to third-party data from analytics firm SensorTower, users in India have spent roughly $8 million on ChatGPT subscriptions** through in-app purchases since 2023. That might sound like a lot—until you compare it to the **$330 million** U.S. users have spent over the same time period. And this doesn’t even account for purchases made via the ChatGPT web app.
Why the Gap?
One major factor could be pricing. OpenAI doesn’t currently offer localized pricing in India. The cheapest ChatGPT Plus plan costs $20 per month—more than ₹1,700—a steep price tag by Indian digital subscription standards.
When asked for comment, OpenAI declined to share country-specific growth numbers, but pointed to a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by COO Brad Lightcap, highlighting India as ChatGPT’s fastest-growing market.
So while revenue may be trailing, OpenAI clearly sees potential in the market.
A Long Game in India
CEO Sam Altman has been vocal about his ambition to make OpenAI a platform with **billions of users**. And with over **950 million internet users**, India is an obvious candidate to help realize that vision.
Reports suggest OpenAI is exploring a partnership with **Reliance Jio**, one of India’s largest mobile networks, to expand ChatGPT’s reach. A deal like that could be pivotal in bringing the AI assistant to a broader, more mainstream user base in the country.
Organic Growth Still Going Strong
Despite the pricing hurdle, ChatGPT is gaining serious traction in India. According to app tracking firm Appfigures, **more than 20% of global Android downloads of the ChatGPT app in 2025** so far have come from India. Part of this spike can be attributed to viral features like the AI image generator, which recently captured users' imaginations with its ability to create Studio Ghibli-style artwork.
And globally? ChatGPT now boasts **over 500 million weekly users**—a number that continues to climb.
So, while the revenue gap in India might raise eyebrows today, the groundwork for something much bigger is already being laid. With the right local partnerships and more region-friendly pricing, India could easily become one of OpenAI’s most valuable markets in the long run.
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