OpenAI, Anthropic Surge: Consumers Adopt Gen-AI Apps

Consumers Embrace Wider Array of Gen-AI Apps as OpenAI and Anthropic Evolve Into AI App Stores

Key Facts

Andreessen Horowitz released its “Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps” report for March 2026, showing consumers adopting a broader set of generative AI tools beyond general-purpose chatbots.
OpenAI and Anthropic are transforming into their own artificial intelligence app stores by hosting and promoting third-party AI applications.
Sixty percent of users now report using both general AI assistants and specialized AI tools, according to related industry surveys.
Global consumers spent 5.3 trillion hours on mobile apps in 2025, with generative AI services contributing to increased spending on apps surpassing games for the first time.
Household spending on connected devices rose 17% to $896 in 2025 compared to $764 in 2024.

Lead paragraph

Consumers are rapidly expanding their use of generative AI applications, moving beyond flagship chatbots to embrace a diverse ecosystem of specialized tools, according to a new report from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. OpenAI and Anthropic are positioning themselves as AI app stores to capitalize on this trend by hosting and distributing third-party generative AI experiences. The shift signals maturing consumer adoption of AI, with specialized tools gaining traction alongside general-purpose assistants, as highlighted in Olivia Moore’s “Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps” report for March 2026.

Broadening Definition of Gen-AI Consumer Apps

Andreessen Horowitz’s latest report, authored by partner Olivia Moore, broadens the definition of generative AI consumer apps to include any product where generative AI has become a core part of the experience. This updated methodology now encompasses established tools such as CapCut, Canva, Notion, Picsart, Freepik, and Grammarly, in addition to AI-native applications.

According to the report, this wider lens provides a more accurate picture of how people actually use AI in their daily lives. While the bulk of the top products remain AI-native, the inclusion of mainstream applications with deep AI integration reflects the technology’s permeation across consumer software categories.

Moore discussed the findings in an interview on Bloomberg Tech with Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow, emphasizing that consumers are embracing a wider number of generative AI tools rather than relying solely on a few flagship models.

OpenAI and Anthropic Building AI App Stores

A key theme in the report is the evolution of leading AI companies into platform operators. Both OpenAI and Anthropic are developing their own artificial intelligence app stores, allowing developers to build and distribute specialized applications on top of their foundational models.

This strategy mirrors traditional app store models, giving the companies greater control over distribution and monetization while fostering an ecosystem of applications tailored to specific use cases. By becoming platforms, OpenAI and Anthropic aim to increase user engagement and create new revenue streams beyond direct API access.

The move comes as competition intensifies in the consumer AI space. Google has taken a different approach by creating multiple surface areas for new products, including standalone experiences within Gemini, AI Studio, Labs, and Flow. Google’s Nano Banana and Nano Banana Pro models gained significant attention, generating 200 million images in their first week and bringing in 10 million new users to Gemini, according to Google VP Josh Woodward.

Evidence of Strong Consumer Adoption

Multiple industry reports from early 2026 support the narrative of accelerating consumer AI usage. Sensor Tower’s data revealed that bolstered by generative AI services, global consumers spent 5.3 trillion hours on apps in 2025, with spending on apps surpassing games for the first time.

Deloitte’s Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey found that households are spending approximately 17% more on average on connected devices this year — $896 in 2025 compared to $764 in 2024. Monthly household spending on digital services and subscriptions reached $183 in the survey.

Menlo Ventures’ “2025: The State of Consumer AI” report noted that 60% of users employ both general AI assistants and specialized AI tools. This dual usage pattern indicates that more advanced workflows are emerging as consumers integrate AI more deeply into their routines.

Impact on Developers, Users, and the Industry

For developers, the emergence of AI app stores from OpenAI and Anthropic creates new distribution channels and potential monetization opportunities. Rather than competing directly with the large language model providers, developers can build specialized applications that leverage powerful foundational models while focusing on particular domains or user needs.

Users benefit from a richer selection of purpose-built AI tools that address specific tasks more effectively than general-purpose chatbots. The ability to discover and use specialized applications within familiar platforms may lower barriers to adoption and encourage experimentation with AI across different aspects of work and personal life.

The industry as a whole is seeing generative AI transition from a novel technology to an embedded feature in everyday applications. This maturation could accelerate innovation as developers focus on user experience and domain expertise rather than competing at the infrastructure level.

What’s Next

The report suggests continued growth in the consumer AI sector as more applications integrate generative capabilities and as platforms like OpenAI and Anthropic expand their app store offerings. Future editions of the Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps list will likely reflect further broadening of AI integration across consumer software.

As specialized tools gain prominence, companies may invest more heavily in developer tools, discovery mechanisms, and monetization systems for their AI platforms. The competitive landscape will continue to evolve, with different approaches from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and other players shaping how consumers discover and use AI applications.

Industry observers expect consumer spending on AI-powered tools and services to keep rising as the technology demonstrates clear value in productivity, creativity, and entertainment applications.

Consumers Embrace More Gen-AI Apps

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