India was the country with the highest number of artificial intelligence (AI) app downloads in the world in 2025, according to data published by Sensor Tower. 20% of AI app downloads last year were from India, a 207% increase over 2024.
The United States came in second, followed by China, Brazil, and Indonesia. Although 20% of AI app downloads were from India, it only contributed to 1% of AI app subscription revenue in 2025. This is because last year companies like OpenAI and Google offered free subscriptions for a limited period only in India. The free period has now ended, and next quarter's data will see if this free access tactic pays off for OpenAI and Google.
India is often a test bed for app launches because of its large population and the majority of people owning smartphones. The question remains whether the use of AI has a positive impact on users in India. In a previously reported Harvard study, the use of AI drove productivity gains in the early stages before they fell below the original norm as workers became fatigued.
