Sora nears Meta AI in downloads despite iOS-only release

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OpenAI's Sora app is fast catching up to Meta's AI app in downloads, despite being available only on Apple's iOS platform and requiring an invite to use. 

From September 30 to October 18, Sora notched 2.6 million iOS downloads, compared to 1.1 million for Meta AI during the same period, data from mobile analytics firm Appfigures showed, according to CNBC.

Meta's AI app, which launched its new 'Vibes' feed of AI-generated videos on September 25, has seen a 56 per cent month-on-month surge in total downloads across iOS and Android to 3.9 million as of October 18. 

The company has been paying creators — including several based in India, where Sora isn't available and TikTok remains banned — to generate content using AI tools like Midjourney, according to people familiar with the matter.

Vibes marks Meta's latest effort to position its AI app as a creative hub, adding a TikTok-style video feed entirely generated by AI. 

The app, originally launched in April as Meta View to manage Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, was rebranded as Meta AI to serve as a broader interface for users to engage with the company's ChatGPT-like assistant.

Meta’s reliance on external AI models for Vibes highlights its willingness to seek outside help following the underwhelming rollout of its Llama 4 model earlier this year. 

The company has since reorganised its AI division, spending billions and laying off around 600 employees as part of a broader overhaul led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Meta executives have said India remains the company's largest market for Meta AI usage, primarily through WhatsApp, though not all Indian creators are being paid for their participation in Vibes.