OpenAI has taken a major step toward turning ChatGPT into a full-service digital platform by unveiling a new app store built directly inside the chatbot. The move allows developers to create and publish apps that users can access without leaving a ChatGPT conversation, raising questions about how this could reshape the future of app usage.
The new app store is currently in beta and is powered by OpenAI’s Apps SDK. Developers can submit their applications for review through the OpenAI Developer platform, where performance and usage can also be tracked. Once approved, these apps appear in a dedicated app directory within ChatGPT’s tools menu, making them easy for users to discover and use.
Several well-known platforms have already joined the ecosystem. Services like Expedia, Spotify, Zillow, and Canva are now available inside ChatGPT, letting users book travel, play music, search for apartments, or design visuals through simple chat commands. Instead of switching between multiple apps, users can complete tasks in one place using natural language.
OpenAI says the goal is to encourage wider developer participation and make ChatGPT more useful in everyday life. With these apps, users can order groceries, create slide decks, plan trips, or handle work tasks more directly and conversationally.
The launch has sparked debate about whether traditional app stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store could face new competition in the long run. While it is too early to predict that shift, the idea of apps living inside a chat interface marks a clear change in how people may interact with digital services.
For users, this update means fewer downloads and smoother workflows. For developers, it opens a new space to reach millions through ChatGPT itself.
