Is DeepSeek a Competitor to ChatGPT? Insights from Bobble AI’s Market Research
Overview of DeepSeek’s Launch and User Engagement
Introduction to the Study
On March 8, 2025, Bobble AI’s Market Intelligence division released an analysis that examined the early user trends of DeepSeek, a new AI chatbot, in comparison to ChatGPT. This study focused on key performance indicators including the number of new installs, app open rates, user session durations, and overall user engagement during the initial six weeks following DeepSeek’s launch.
Commitment to Ethical Data Use
Bobble AI is committed to protecting user privacy and adheres to ethical data practices. The data used in the study was fully anonymized and aggregated, ensuring that participants’ personal information remained secure.
Key Metrics Analyzed
New Installs: Initial Surge and Declining Trends
During the first six weeks after DeepSeek’s release, the analysis revealed that new installs started slowly compared to ChatGPT. In the initial weeks, the increase in new installs for DeepSeek was modest. However, a significant spike was noted in the third week, reaching the apex of user installs in week four. Unfortunately, the momentum waned in subsequent weeks, with a noticeable decline leading to lower levels of new installs by the sixth week.
- Insights:
- DeepSeek experienced a "bell curve" of new installs within just six weeks.
- Although these numbers are impressive for such a short period, they indicate that DeepSeek has yet to pose a significant challenge to ChatGPT’s established dominance.
- Sustained product improvements could help DeepSeek develop a more competitive edge in the future.
Open Rate: Peaks of Enthusiasm Followed by Stability
The open rate, representing the percentage of users who interacted with the app at least once during the study period, initially soared as users rushed to try DeepSeek. However, after the initial excitement faded and more users downloaded the app, the open rate began to stabilize. Eventually, the open rate settled around 48%, a figure comparable to that of ChatGPT. This decline reflects users’ shift to more consistent app usage as the novelty wore off.
Average Sessions per User: ChatGPT’s Dominance
An interesting pattern emerged when evaluating the average number of sessions per user. ChatGPT users engaged with the app more than twice as often as DeepSeek users throughout the six-week study. The second week showed some convergence in usage, likely due to early user enthusiasm for DeepSeek. However, ChatGPT’s lead in average sessions per user was consistent and highlighted a stronger overall preference among users.
Average Session Duration: Engagement Levels
Similar trends were observed in the average session duration. ChatGPT users stayed engaged for nearly twice as long compared to DeepSeek users. Despite some fluctuations in DeepSeek’s session duration, the general trend indicated lower and less consistent engagement even during DeepSeek’s peak excitement phase.
- Overall Trends:
- Even at its most popular, DeepSeek’s user engagement did not surpass that of ChatGPT.
- ChatGPT consistently showcased dominance, illustrating its firm grip on user interest and satisfaction.
Summary of Key Findings
- Initial Interest: DeepSeek captured considerable attention at launch, showing potential as a competitive AI tool.
- Short-lived Engagement: The rapid decline in user installs and interaction metrics suggested that not all users were ready to abandon ChatGPT.
- ChatGPT’s Reliable Performance: ChatGPT maintained its leading position across various engagement measures, showcasing strong user loyalty.
- Future Opportunities: Though DeepSeek has shown promise, it must work on sustaining and expanding its user base through significant product enhancements to truly compete with ChatGPT.
The insights from this study could influence strategies for both existing chatbots and emerging competitors in the AI space.
