The Top 100 Most Used AI Apps in 2025

Key takeaways

The Consumer AI Top 100 list reflects actual user engagement with AI products rather than just revenue.
New trends like vibe coding are emerging, indicating shifts in how consumers interact with AI technology.
Google's recent entries into the AI space have set significant benchmarks in user engagement on both web and mobile.
Chinese AI companies are adapting rapidly, leading in both domestic and international markets despite regulatory challenges.
The AI presence in consumer products is stabilizing, with brands consistently populating the list at a higher rate.
Future AI landscapes are expected to see diversification in application categories, particularly in productivity and ed-tech.

Summary

Introduction to the Consumer AI 100

In this episode, Olivia Moore and Justine Moore discuss the Consumer AI Top 100 list, a biannual ranking of the most used AI-native products across web and mobile. They emphasize the purpose of the list, which is to gauge actual consumer usage and interest in AI applications, rather than revenue generation. The data is sourced from SimilarWeb and Sensor Tower to track usage metrics.

Trends and New Entrants in AI

The hosts explore the new companies that have made it into the Top 50 list for both web and mobile. Notably, the mobile app side has seen significant fluctuations due to evolving app store policies, while the web list has stabilized. The emergence of 'vibe coding' is highlighted as a key trend, reflecting a shift towards more productive applications in AI. They also discuss the dominance of companionship applications, which continue to lead the list.

Google's Impact on the AI Landscape

A detailed discussion about Google's strong presence in the latest ranking reveals that new products such as Gemini and AI Studio have made significant strides, debuting in the top rankings. The conversation illuminates Google's strategies and the fluctuation of apps in their ecosystem, showcasing their growth in both web and mobile categories.

Chinese AI Companies and Global Trends

The episode delves into the rise of Chinese AI companies, including those specifically tailored for the domestic Chinese market and those aimed at global audiences. The hosts discuss the unique challenges faced by non-Chinese AI products in China due to stringent regulations, and highlight successful Chinese products that have reached international recognition.

Vibe Coding: A New Trend Evolving

'Vibe coding' is introduced as a standout trend, which allows users to create and manage projects easily. Its emergence in the rankings points towards a growing consumer interest in more interactive and creative AI applications and reflects a shift from traditional companionships towards productive uses.

AI All-Stars: Companies to Watch

The podcast identifies the 'AI All-Stars,' companies that consistently perform across multiple list iterations. These include ChatGPT, and various creative tools. The discussion emphasizes the importance of user experience and community engagement as factors contributing to sustained growth and success in the AI space.

Predictions for Future AI Developments

Looking to the future, the hosts predict that AI applications will continue to evolve and verticalize. They express expectations for increased reliability in productivity tools and the potential rise of new categories such as ed-tech and personal finance. As the landscape matures, they anticipate more products achieving recognition as user interest shifts.

Show notes

What are real consumers actually doing with AI today?

In this episode, a16z consumer investors Olivia Moore and Justine Moore break down the fifth edition of our Consumer AI 100, a biannual ranking of the most used AI-native web and mobile products across the globe.

Timecodes:

0:00 Introduction

1:45 New Companies & Trends

3:32 Companionship & Creative Tools

4:20 Big Tech on the List: Google’s Impact

6:24 Chinese AI Companies & Global Trends

10:19 Vibecoding: A New Trend

13:40 AI All-Stars: Consistent Top Performers

15:30 Network Effects & Product Experience

17:20 Enterprise Adoption & Prosumer Growth

19:40 Biggest Takeaways

21:09 Grok's debut

22:56 Future predictions

25:14 Closing & Audience Engagement

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