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Chinese AI lab DeepSeek’s Android app now ranks No. 1 on the Google Play Store, just days after its chatbot app led the Apple App Store. This rapid ascent highlights the growing global interest in AI-powered chatbots and DeepSeek’s increasing dominance in the space.
According to analytics firm AppFigures, DeepSeek’s Android app has amassed over 1.2 million downloads on the Play Store since its mid-January launch. Meanwhile, its iOS counterpart has been downloaded over 1.9 million times worldwide. However, actual installation figures could be much higher, as the app now carries a 5 million+ downloads label on the Play Store.
What’s Fueling DeepSeek’s Growth?
DeepSeek’s sudden rise in popularity is largely attributed to its open-source AI models, which have proven competitive with offerings from OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Anthropic. Unlike its Western rivals, DeepSeek claims its AI models were trained at a fraction of the cost and with significantly less advanced AI chips.
DeepSeek’s app functions as a ChatGPT alternative, powered by its proprietary V3 model. Users can leverage the chatbot for:
- File analysis
- Answering questions
- Gathering information from the web
- Syncing chat history across devices
The app is completely free, making it an attractive alternative for AI enthusiasts and businesses alike.
Can DeepSeek Sustain Its Lead?
While DeepSeek currently dominates the charts, maintaining its position will be an uphill battle. To surpass OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the long run, DeepSeek would need to reach 300 million weekly users—a massive leap from its current figures.
DeepSeek’s breakthrough has caught the attention of the AI and tech industry. Startups like Perplexity and Gloo—founded by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger—have already begun integrating DeepSeek into their platforms.
With its growing influence and rapid adoption, DeepSeek is shaping up to be a major player in the global AI landscape.
