ChatGPT App Store 2025: Complete Guide to OpenAI's App Directory
OpenAI officially opened its ChatGPT App Directory on December 17, 2025 , transforming the popular chatbot into a comprehensive application platform. This launch marks a pivotal shift from AI as a simple question-answering tool to an execution engine that completes real-world tasks without users leaving the conversation.
The ChatGPT App Store brings services like Spotify, DoorDash, Zillow, and Adobe directly into your chat interface. Instead of switching between multiple apps or browser tabs, you can now order groceries, book travel, create presentations, and manage documents through natural language commands. Apps are organized into Featured, Lifestyle, and Productivity categories , making discovery intuitive and seamless.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the ChatGPT App Store—from using apps as an everyday user to building and monetizing your own integrations as a developer.
What Is the ChatGPT App Store and How Does It Work?
The ChatGPT App Directory is an integrated marketplace where third-party applications run directly inside ChatGPT conversations. Unlike traditional app stores requiring downloads, these chat-native apps respond to natural language and operate within the conversational flow , eliminating the friction of context switching between different tools.
Key Features of ChatGPT Apps
Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions like order groceries, turn an outline into a slide deck, or search for an apartment . The platform leverages the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Apps SDK to enable developers to create sophisticated integrations.
- Conversational activation: Apps respond when mentioned by name or suggested contextually based on your discussion
- Real-time actions: Complete transactions, create content, and manage workflows without leaving ChatGPT
- Cross-platform availability: Works seamlessly on iOS, Android, and web versions
- Interactive interfaces: Apps can display maps, slide decks, dashboards, and other visual components within chat
Top ChatGPT Apps and Integrations in 2025
The launch features integrations from major platforms including Spotify, DoorDash, Apple Music, Adobe, Canva, Expedia, and Zillow . Each app transforms how you interact with these services through conversational AI.
Essential Productivity Apps
- Canva: Transform outlines into professional slide decks and social media graphics through natural language design requests
- Adobe (Photoshop, Express, Acrobat): Perform image editing and document management tasks by describing desired outcomes in plain English
- Google Drive & Dropbox: Search documents, gather insights, and prepare reports from your cloud storage without switching apps
Lifestyle and Entertainment Apps
- Spotify & Apple Music: Create playlists, discover tracks, and manage your music library through conversational commands
- DoorDash: Convert meal planning discussions into actual delivery orders with actionable shopping carts
- Expedia & Booking.com: Search flights, hotels, and plan complete itineraries with interactive booking interfaces
Specialized Tools
Beyond mainstream apps, the directory includes specialized tools for property search (Zillow), financial planning, health tracking, and business automation. Apps can be invoked directly by name or suggested contextually based on what you're discussing , creating an intelligent, anticipatory user experience.
How to Use ChatGPT Apps: Step-by-Step Guide
Accessing and using apps in the ChatGPT App Store requires just a few simple steps. The process is designed to be intuitive even for non-technical users.
Connecting Your First App
- Navigate to the Tools menu in ChatGPT or visit
chatgpt.com/apps - Browse the Featured, Lifestyle, or Productivity categories to find relevant apps
- Click an app and select Connect to initiate the authorization process
- Authorize the app to access ChatGPT through the OAuth security protocol
- Start a conversation and mention the app by name or ask questions related to its function
Using Apps in Conversations
Once connected, apps integrate naturally into your chats. For example, after connecting Spotify, simply say "Create a workout playlist with high-energy tracks" and the app generates it instantly. With DoorDash connected, "Order Thai food for dinner" initiates the ordering workflow directly in chat.
Developer Guide: Building ChatGPT Apps
OpenAI now allows developers to submit apps for review and potential publication through the OpenAI Developer Platform . The company provides comprehensive resources including the Apps SDK, best practices documentation, open-source examples, and step-by-step quickstart guides.
Requirements for App Development
- Apps SDK access: Currently in beta through the
OpenAI Developer Platform - MCP server: Build servers that register resources and tools using the Model Context Protocol
- Domain verification: Establish trust through billing verification or DNS TXT record confirmation
- Developer Mode testing: Available for Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans to test apps privately before submission
The Development Process
Creating a ChatGPT app involves constructing an MCP server that advertises capabilities to the AI model. Developers register tools with defined JSON schemas, create interactive UI components using the Skybridge runtime, and test thoroughly in Developer Mode before submitting for OpenAI's quality and safety review.
Monetization Options
Currently, developers can monetize apps by linking out from ChatGPT to their websites or native applications . However, OpenAI is exploring additional monetization options including digital goods and internal payment systems . The company previously piloted an engagement-based revenue-sharing program for custom GPT builders, which may expand to the full app ecosystem.
ChatGPT Pricing Plans and App Access
Access to the ChatGPT App Store varies by subscription tier. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right plan for your needs.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | App Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited usage | Basic experimentation and personal use |
| Plus | $20 | Full app directory access | Power users needing regular app integration |
| Pro | $200 | Unlimited apps + Deep Research | Professionals and data researchers |
| Team | $25-$30 | Shared workspace apps | Small teams with collaborative needs |
| Enterprise | Custom | Advanced security + SOC 2 | Large organizations with compliance requirements |
The Plus plan offers the best value for most users, providing unlimited access to all published apps and priority access to new integrations. Enterprise plans include additional administrative controls, custom app sections, and enhanced security features.
Security, Privacy, and Safety Policies
OpenAI emphasizes privacy with requirements for companies to provide clear policies about data handling and usage. The platform implements multiple security layers to protect users while maintaining rich functionality.
Safety Framework
- Automated review: Apps undergo quality and safety checks using
gpt-oss-safeguard models before publication - Sandboxed execution: Interactive components run in isolated environments with strict Content Security Policies
- Data minimization: Apps can only request data essential for their stated functionality
- High-stakes restrictions: Apps cannot provide tailored legal, medical, or financial advice without licensed professional involvement
Prohibited uses include illegal activities, violence, exploitation of minors, and automation of critical decisions in insurance, credit, employment, or housing without human oversight.
ChatGPT App Store vs. Custom GPTs: Key Differences
While both Custom GPTs and the new App Store enhance ChatGPT capabilities, they serve different purposes and audiences.
| Feature | Custom GPTs | ChatGPT Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Creation | No-code, natural language instructions | Code-based with Apps SDK |
| Complexity | Text-focused prompt engineering | Full API integrations with UI |
| Target Audience | Non-developers and casual users | Professional software engineers |
| Capabilities | Specialized responses and knowledge | Real-world actions and transactions |
| Discovery | GPT Store browsing | App Directory with category organization |
Custom GPTs remain excellent for specialized knowledge applications and personalized assistants, while full apps excel at connecting external services and enabling transactional workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the ChatGPT App Store launched?
OpenAI officially opened the ChatGPT App Directory on December 17, 2025, allowing developers to submit apps for review and users to access integrated services across web, iOS, and Android platforms.
How much does it cost to use ChatGPT apps?
Free users have limited access to apps, while Plus subscribers ($20/month) get full app directory access. Pro, Team, and Enterprise plans offer additional features like unlimited usage, shared workspaces, and advanced administrative controls. Individual apps may have their own pricing for premium features.
Can developers make money from ChatGPT apps?
Yes, developers can currently monetize by linking to their websites or native apps for transactions. OpenAI is exploring internal monetization options including digital goods sales and engagement-based revenue sharing, similar to their previous pilot program for custom GPT builders.
What's the difference between apps and connectors?
OpenAI rebranded "connectors" (like Google Drive and Dropbox) as "apps" with the December 2025 launch. All tools now fall under the unified "apps" category, though some retain specialized functions like file search, deep research, and sync capabilities.
Are ChatGPT apps safe to use?
OpenAI implements rigorous safety measures including automated content reviews, sandboxed execution environments, and strict privacy policies. Apps undergo quality and safety checks before publication, and users control which apps can access their data through OAuth authorization.
Conclusion: The Future of Conversational Computing
The ChatGPT App Store represents OpenAI's strategic transformation from a text-generation tool into a comprehensive AI operating system. The company aims to make apps feel like natural extensions of conversation, helping people move from ideas to action while building a thriving developer ecosystem .
With over 200 million users and growing partnerships with major platforms, the ChatGPT App Directory positions itself as a potential successor to traditional mobile app stores. The key differentiator lies in conversational access—users discover and use tools through natural language rather than hunting through app grids and menus.
Whether you're a user looking to streamline workflows or a developer seeking new distribution channels, the ChatGPT App Store offers unprecedented opportunities. Explore the app directory today, connect your first integrations, and experience the future of AI-powered productivity. Developers can visit the OpenAI Developer Platform to start building chat-native applications that reach millions of users worldwide.