ChatGPT and rivals are testing whether India's massive AI user boom can translate into paying customers as free offers wind down.

TechCrunch (TC) is a leading technology news and media site that covers the latest trends, startups, and innovations in the tech industry. With breaking news,  analysis, and expert commentary, TechCrunch provides  insights into the world of technology and entrepreneurship. Developers can learn about emerging technologies, funding opportunities, and market trends by following TechCrunch's coverage of the tech industry.

TechCrunch

India became the world's largest market for generative AI app downloads in 2025, with installs jumping 207% year-over-year and accounting for roughly 19% of the global AI assistant user base. Despite this, India generates only about 1% of global AI in-app purchase revenue. OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity ran extended free premium promotions to capture users in the price-sensitive market, but those offers are now winding down. ChatGPT leads with 180 million monthly active users in India, followed by Gemini at 118 million. Revenue actually declined in late 2025 following aggressive free-tier launches. Analysts expect gradual monetization improvement through lower-cost tiers, telecom bundles, and micro-transactions, but sustained engagement remains the key challenge.

India’s AI boom pushes firms to trade near-term revenue for users

Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit