The most used AI chatbots today: numbers, user habits, and digital trends

The use of major AI chatbots today reflects a silent transformation in digital habits.

The rise of multimodal platforms has accelerated the adoption of chatbots among users of every demographic and need.

Over the past twelve months, the AI chatbot world has taken on a distinctive character: platforms like ChatGPT, Meta AI, Gemini, and Perplexity have become daily reference points for hundreds of millions of users, reshaping the way people interact with technology. The growth is not just about absolute numbers, but also about depth of use, with sessions now accompanying study, work, information management, and recreation. The introduction of voice features, the ability to analyze images, the customization of context, and the constant optimization of models have pushed engagement far beyond simple text chat. In this new routine, the chatbot is no longer just a response tool, but a conversational companion and a transversal assistant that adapts to the rhythm of digital days.

THE SITUATION TODAY:

Chatbot	Estimated Monthly Users	Main Strengths	Notable Facts
ChatGPT	~850 million	Multimodal, plugins, wide adoption	~5.2B visits/month, 100M+ daily users
Meta AI	~900 million	Social integration, proactivity	Used in Facebook, Instagram, Messenger
Gemini	~300 million	Google ecosystem, research/summarize	Rapid growth, strong in Asia
Perplexity	~90 million (est.)	Web search, cited sources	11% global market share
Copilot	~40 million (est.)	Office integration, Windows 11	Deep in business/workflows
Deepseek	~30 million (est.)	Open source, privacy	Top free iOS app early 2025
Claude	~15 million (est.)	Long context, accuracy	Niche but highly rated

ChatGPT remains the benchmark in terms of traffic and engagement, while Meta AI dominates the social landscape.

Data reveal a polarization between general-purpose solutions and platforms deeply integrated within social media ecosystems.

ChatGPT is now the main gravitational center of the AI conversation, averaging over one hundred million daily active users and more than five billion monthly visits to its website. The multimodal experience, which enables both voice and visual interaction, has made the service accessible and natural, attracting highly diverse audiences. More than sixty percent of its traffic comes from social platforms, indicating ongoing cross-pollination between digital worlds.

The under-25 demographic remains the most dynamic, but engagement is also growing among professionals and companies using plugins for specific tasks—from document automation to vertical research. Meanwhile, Meta AI reaches even higher numbers thanks to its integration with Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, surpassing 900 million monthly active users and introducing proactive features that shift the traditional chat paradigm. The ability to intervene spontaneously in conversations broadens the scope for interaction, though it also raises questions about privacy and the management of sensitive information.

Gemini and Perplexity offer interaction models focused on efficiency and research.

Specialization is becoming a key factor for users and businesses seeking precise and contextualized tools.

Within a rapidly expanding market, Gemini positions itself as a versatile assistant in the Google ecosystem, engaging hundreds of millions of users monthly, particularly thanks to its ease of access from everyday apps. Its ability to summarize, organize, and anticipate informational needs allows Gemini to carve out an important space among professionals and advanced users. Perplexity, in turn, has established itself as a reference solution for advanced search: its quality of citations and reliability in handling sources make it a valuable tool for those working with large volumes of information and requiring careful verification of answers. This evolution signals a growing demand for chatbots that go beyond conversation and can build knowledge and provide personalized operational support.

Emerging and niche solutions address specific needs, driving greater market differentiation.

The presence of open-source chatbots, specialized agents, and emotionally focused platforms expands the use cases beyond productivity.

While major brands hold the majority of market share, there is increasing interest in alternative solutions like Deepseek, Grok, Replika, and new regional agents. Deepseek stands out for its open-source nature and privacy-focused approach, becoming the most downloaded free app on iOS in the United States in early 2025. Grok, featuring an “irreverent” personality and integrated with the X ecosystem, represents the boldest experiment in both style and content. Replika continues to expand as a chatbot focused on emotional support, while in Asia and emerging markets, local agents like Kruti (India) and Ernie (China) meet linguistic and operational needs very different from those in the West. This market fragmentation suggests a maturing phase in which the value of specialization and human connection sits alongside technical performance and response speed.

The impact of chatbots on digital habits can be seen in productivity, personalization, and new relationships with technology.

Companies focus on integration, users on flexibility, while the debate shifts to privacy and responsibility.

The integration of chatbots into work platforms, social networks, and public services is redefining the boundaries between automation and human interaction. The efficiency in processing requests, the possibility to personalize the tone and depth of answers, and the constant presence in daily routines make chatbots a key pillar of the contemporary digital lifestyle.

At the same time, the exponential growth of these platforms brings new challenges: privacy protection, transparency of answers, the risk of overreliance, and the need for clearer regulation. In this scenario, choosing the most suitable solution involves balancing immediacy, trust in the provider, control over information, and creative possibilities. The near future will be marked by a convergence of advanced features and a renewed focus on the user experience, with the chatbot becoming an integral part of the relationship with technology.

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