As you know, ChatGPT expects strong growth in India, but revenue still lags
as more people in India investigate AI-powered solutions for business, education, and entertainment, the country is fast becoming one of ChatGPT’s biggest audiences. Although usage is growing, OpenAI is finding it far more difficult to turn this interest into a steady stream of revenue
According to new data from analytics firm SensorTower, Indian users have spent around $8 million on ChatGPT subscriptions through mobile in-app purchases since 2023. That might sound like a healthy number on its own, but it pales in comparison to the estimated $330 million spent by U.S. users during the same period. And it’s worth noting that these figures don’t even include payments made through the ChatGPT website, which could shift the balance—but only slightly.
So what’s keeping Indian users from paying? A big part of the puzzle seems to be pricing. ChatGPT’s most affordable subscription tier in India costs $20 a month—roughly ₹1,700—which is relatively steep for a digital service in a price-sensitive market like India. Without localized pricing or lower-cost plans, many users are sticking to the free version.
When asked for specifics on its growth in India, OpenAI declined to offer new details. However, the company pointed to a recent statement by COO Brad Lightcap on X (formerly Twitter), in which he called India ChatGPT’s “fastest-growing market.”
That rapid growth isn’t surprising. With more than 950 million internet users and some of the world’s cheapest mobile data, India has long been a key target for global tech companies. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has openly said the company aims to reach billions of users worldwide—and India could play a central role in achieving that goal.
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To help expand its reach, OpenAI is reportedly in talks with Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom provider.Through improved interaction with local networks or by integrating ChatGPT with cell subscriptions, a partnership with Jio might make it simpler for millions more users to access the service.
Meanwhile, ChatGPT is becoming more and more well-known in India on its own. More than 20% of ChatGPT’s Android downloads this year have originated in India alone, according to Appfigures, a mobile analytics provider. New features like ChatGPT’s AI image generator, which recently garnered recognition for creating visually striking, Ghibli-style illustrations that went viral online, probably contributed to that surge.
Despite the current revenue gap, OpenAI appears to be making long-term plans. With usage growing rapidly and the AI craze showing no signs of abating, India might become a major revenue source in the future if OpenAI can figure out how to align pricing and offerings with local expectations.
Currently, ChatGPT’s rise in India is a prime illustration of high involvement with less income. But in a market as big and vibrant as India’s, free customers today could become paying customers tomorrow.