Most Used AI Tools 2026: Global Rankings by Monthly Active Users
As of June 2026, ChatGPT remains the most used AI tool globally with approximately 1.2 billion monthly active users (MAU), followed by Google Gemini (500 million MAU) and Microsoft Copilot (300 million MAU). Other notable tools include Anthropic's Claude (150 million MAU), Perplexity AI (80 million MAU), and Midjourney (40 million MAU). These figures are based on a combination of official company disclosures, third-party estimates from data analytics firms, and industry reports.
Top AI Tools by the Numbers (2026)
The following headline figures summarize the current landscape of AI tool usage as of mid-2026:
- ChatGPT (OpenAI): ~1.2 billion MAU — the dominant AI chatbot, with strong consumer and enterprise adoption.
- Google Gemini (Google): ~500 million MAU — integrated into Google services (Search, Workspace, Android) driving rapid growth.
- Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft): ~300 million MAU — embedded in Windows, Office 365, and Bing, benefiting from enterprise distribution.
- Claude (Anthropic): ~150 million MAU — popular among developers and researchers for safety and reasoning.
- Perplexity AI: ~80 million MAU — an AI-powered search engine growing quickly in the knowledge-work niche.
- Midjourney: ~40 million MAU — leading AI image generation tool, used by designers and creatives.
- Other notable tools include Character.AI (~50 million MAU), GitHub Copilot (~30 million MAU), and Jasper AI (~15 million MAU).
Year-by-Year Trend Table: Monthly Active Users (MAU) of Top AI Tools (2022–2026)
Note: Figures for 2022–2023 are estimated based on available data; 2024–2026 are based on company reports and third-party estimates. All numbers in millions.
| Year | ChatGPT | Gemini | Copilot | Claude | Perplexity | Midjourney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ~100 | N/A | N/A | ~1 | N/A | ~2 |
| 2023 | ~600 | ~100 | ~50 | ~30 | ~10 | ~15 |
| 2024 | ~900 | ~250 | ~150 | ~80 | ~40 | ~30 |
| 2026 | ~1,100 | ~400 | ~250 | ~120 | ~65 | ~38 |
| 2026 | ~1,200 | ~500 | ~300 | ~150 | ~80 | ~40 |
By-Country Breakdown Table: Estimated AI Tool Users (MAU) by Country, 2026
The table below shows estimated monthly active users (in millions) for selected top AI tools across major countries. Data is derived from app store downloads, web traffic analytics, and survey-based estimates. Exact figures vary by source.
| Country | ChatGPT (M) | Gemini (M) | Copilot (M) | Claude (M) | Perplexity (M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 250 | 120 | 80 | 40 | 25 |
| India | 180 | 90 | 50 | 20 | 10 |
| Brazil | 80 | 40 | 20 | 8 | 5 |
| Indonesia | 60 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 3 |
| Japan | 40 | 25 | 15 | 8 | 4 |
| Germany | 35 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 4 |
| United Kingdom | 30 | 15 | 12 | 5 | 3 |
| France | 25 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 2 |
| South Korea | 20 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| Nigeria | 15 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Historical Growth
The AI tool market has experienced explosive growth since the public launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. ChatGPT reached 100 million MAU within two months, setting a record. By the end of 2023, it had grown to approximately 600 million MAU, driven by word-of-mouth, media coverage, and the release of GPT-4. Meanwhile, Google launched Bard (later Gemini) in early 2023, and Microsoft integrated GPT-4 into Copilot, both gaining millions of users quickly. Claude, launched in 2023, grew steadily among developers. Perplexity AI and Midjourney carved out niches in search and image generation, respectively. The growth from 2024 to 2026 has been more moderate as the market matures, but overall adoption continues to rise, with total AI tool users exceeding 2 billion globally by mid-2026.
What Is Driving the Change
Several factors contribute to the rapid adoption of AI tools: 1) Integration into everyday products: Gemini is embedded in Google Search and Android, Copilot in Windows and Office, making AI accessible to billions without separate sign-ups. 2) Improved capabilities: Multimodal models (text, image, video) and better reasoning attract more users. 3) Enterprise adoption: Companies use AI for customer service, coding, content creation, and data analysis, driving usage through workplace licenses. 4) Pricing and freemium models: Most tools offer free tiers with optional paid upgrades, lowering barriers. 5) Global internet penetration: Increasing internet access in developing countries brings new users. 6) Competition: Rivalry among OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic leads to rapid innovation and marketing, expanding the overall market.
Methodology
Monthly active user (MAU) figures are compiled from official company announcements (e.g., OpenAI, Google, Microsoft), third-party analytics firms (e.g., Similarweb, Sensor Tower, DataReportal), and industry reports. For tools that do not disclose MAU, estimates are derived from web traffic, app downloads, and survey data. All figures are approximate and may include overlapping users (e.g., a user may use both ChatGPT and Gemini). Statistics change frequently and should be re-verified before citing. Last updated: June 2026.
Key takeaways
- ChatGPT leads with 1.2 billion MAU in 2026, but growth is slowing as the market matures.
- Google Gemini has grown to 500 million MAU, driven by deep integration into Google services.
- Microsoft Copilot reaches 300 million MAU, benefiting from enterprise and Windows distribution.
- Claude (150 million MAU) and Perplexity (80 million MAU) are strong in developer and search niches.
- The US, India, and Brazil are the top three countries for AI tool usage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most used AI tool in 2026?
As of June 2026, ChatGPT is the most used AI tool with approximately 1.2 billion monthly active users.
How many users does Google Gemini have?
Google Gemini has an estimated 500 million monthly active users as of mid-2026.
Which country has the most AI tool users?
The United States leads with the highest number of AI tool users, followed by India and Brazil.
Are these figures official?
Some figures are official (e.g., OpenAI disclosed ChatGPT had 100 million weekly users in 2023), but many are estimates from third-party analytics. All numbers should be treated as approximate.
How are monthly active users measured?
MAU is typically measured by unique users who interact with the tool at least once in a 30-day period, based on logged-in accounts or device IDs. Different tools may use slightly different definitions.
