Claude Surpasses One Million Daily Registrations and Tops the Google Play Store, Outperforming ChatGPT
Anthropic's Claude AI app has seen a significant surge in users, with recent reports indicating that new account registrations have surpassed one million daily. This global figure reflects the company's rapid expansion, driven by users' growing interest in finding enhanced AI models that meet their diverse needs.
Rising to the Top in App Stores
According to AppFigures data, Claude AI has become the number one free app on both the Google Play Store and the App Store in the US and other regions, surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT.
This rise indicates a clear shift in user preferences, with many seeking a secure and versatile AI experience for both personal and professional use.
Divergent Stances Between Anthropic and OpenAI
This remarkable growth for Claude comes at a time when OpenAI is facing controversy following its announcement of a partnership with the US Department of Defense to implement AI in classified projects—a move that Anthropic and Google employees were reluctant to undertake without stricter controls. OpenAI maintains that its safety procedures are adequate, stating that its internal ChatGPT models cannot be used for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.
Anthropic’s Stance on Military Use
Anthropic was recently designated a “supply chain risk” by the U.S. Department of Defense, a designation the company intends to challenge in court. Anthropic has emphasized that no company, including itself, is involved in operational decisions related to mass surveillance or autonomous weapons, reaffirming its commitment to safety and security in the use of AI technologies.
Impact of the Controversy on User Growth
The controversy surrounding OpenAI’s military partnership appears to have contributed to increased user activity on Cloud, with Anthropic recording record numbers of daily sign-ups. According to reports, OpenAI reported 900 million weekly active users by the end of February 2026, with over 50 million paid subscribers.