← Back to articles

How Well Are ChatGPT’s Apps Performing?

January 3, 2026

ChatGPT apps in action

Recently, a WSJ reporter explored the functionality of various ChatGPT applications. During a casual search for vacation information, the chatbot casually remarked that “Tripadvisor is being a little useless.” The reporter's tests unveiled that among several AI-powered apps, Instacart stands out as one of the better options, perhaps thanks to the influence of its former CEO now serving as OpenAI’s “CEO of Applications.”

Many other apps tested proved to be slow, buggy, and overly complicated, often struggling with performance issues that still make them lag behind traditional iPhone apps.

OpenAI's Challenge to Apple’s App Store

OpenAI is now stepping into the arena with plans to tackle Apple’s dominant App Store. However, according to recent reports, they still have a considerable journey ahead before their platform can rival the established giants. The development of AI-powered applications is promising but remains in early stages, with many hurdles to overcome in terms of speed, reliability, and user experience.

For more updates, follow topics and authors from this story by visiting your personalized homepage feed or subscribing to email alerts.