In a strategic move to solidify its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, OpenAI has officially launched the ChatGPT App Store. This new platform, accessible directly within the ChatGPT interface, marks a significant evolution from its predecessor, the GPT Store, aiming to transform the popular chatbot into a central hub for a wide array of third-party applications and services. The launch represents OpenAI's most direct attempt yet to build a sustainable ecosystem around its flagship product, challenging established tech giants and redefining how users interact with digital tools.
A New Storefront for AI-Powered Tools
The newly launched ChatGPT App Store, found under the "Apps (BETA)" section within ChatGPT or at chatgpt.com/apps, organizes available tools into familiar categories like "Featured," "Lifestyle," and "Productivity." This structure is a deliberate shift towards the intuitive browsing experience of mainstream app stores like Apple's App Store. Users can now discover and connect with applications from major companies including Adobe Photoshop, Apple Music, Canva, Figma, and Booking.com. Once connected, these apps can be invoked directly within a chat by using the "@" symbol followed by the app's name, or selected from an application bar, allowing users to perform real-world tasks like creating presentations, ordering food, or booking travel without leaving the ChatGPT conversation window.
App Categories & Examples:
- Featured / Lifestyle / Productivity: Apps are categorized for easier discovery.
- Available Partners: Adobe Photoshop, Apple Music, Canva, Figma, Booking.com, DoorDash, Spotify.
- New Market Expansion: The Spotify in ChatGPT app is now available in the UK, Switzerland, and throughout the EU.
Enhanced Functionality and Developer Onboarding
Beyond mere discovery, the platform introduces smarter integration. ChatGPT can now recommend relevant applications based on the ongoing conversation context, user habits, and preferences. To support this expanded vision, OpenAI has rebranded its existing data "connectors" (for services like Google Drive) as "apps" and has opened its SDK for developers to build new, interactive experiences. The company is providing a comprehensive resource suite for developers, including best practice guides, open-source example apps, a UI library, and the beta-stage Apps SDK. Developers can submit their applications for review, with approved apps being listed in the directory. OpenAI has stated it is exploring monetization options, including support for transactions involving physical and digital goods.
Developer Resources: OpenAI provides a full suite for developers including a Best Practices Guide, Open-Source Example Apps, a dedicated UI Library, and the beta-stage Apps SDK.
Strategic Pivot and Competitive Landscape
This launch is widely seen as a course correction from the earlier GPT Store, which was criticized for being more of a repository for prompts than a robust commercial platform. By packaging complex capabilities into subscribable, combinable "apps," OpenAI is betting that the ChatGPT dialog box can become a universal front-end to a vast network of third-party services—a foundational layer for the AI era. This strategy directly pits OpenAI against ecosystem giants like Google, which possesses a mature suite of operating systems, browsers, and developer tools. Building a comparable "ecosystem inertia" is now a critical battleground.
Early User Experience and Future Implications
Initial user reports indicate the experience is still in a beta phase, with some lag in connection speeds and a requirement to log into third-party accounts on first use. All apps must adhere to strict OpenAI usage and privacy policies, and users retain full control, able to disconnect an app at any time. If successful, this model could fundamentally alter user behavior, shifting the primary digital entry point from traditional web browsers and search engines to conversational AI interfaces. The announcement follows reports that OpenAI is in early talks to raise a new funding round at a staggering valuation of approximately USD 750 billion, underscoring the immense scale of its platform ambitions. The success of this app store will be a key test of whether OpenAI can transition from a model innovator to an ecosystem architect.