OpenAI Aims for 220 Million Paying ChatGPT Users by 2030
OpenAI has projected that 220 million ChatGPT users will become paying subscribers by 2030, positioning the chatbot among the world’s largest subscription businesses.
Key Takeaways
- OpenAI targets 220 million paying users from an estimated 2.6 billion weekly user base by 2030.
- Current paying subscribers stand at 35 million for Plus ($20/month) and Pro ($200/month) plans.
- The company’s annual revenue run rate is expected to hit $20 billion by year-end 2025.
Current Subscription Base and Growth Projection
As of July, approximately 35 million users—about 5% of ChatGPT’s weekly active base—were paying for subscription plans. OpenAI projects that by 2030, this will grow to 8.5% of an estimated 2.6 billion weekly users, translating to around 220 million paying subscribers.
Financial Performance and Challenges
While OpenAI’s annualized revenue run rate is expected to reach approximately $20 billion by the end of this year, the company is also facing mounting losses. According to sources, The Information reported in September that OpenAI generated $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025—a 16% increase over all of last year—but burned through $2.5 billion, largely due to AI research, development, and ChatGPT operational costs.
New Revenue Streams
OpenAI anticipates that about 20% of its future revenue will come from new products, including shopping- and advertising-driven features. The recent introduction of a personal shopping assistant for ChatGPT could pave the way for monetization through advertisements or commission-based sales.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
