Perplexity AI Overtakes ChatGPT to Become No. 1 App on App Store India — Here’s Why
Perplexity AI becomes the No.1 app on App Store India after Airtel offers free Pro subscription to all users. Here's how to claim it and what it offers.
image for illustrative purpose
In a major shake-up in the AI app landscape, Perplexity AI has surged past ChatGPT to claim the top spot on the Apple App Store in India. The reason? A strategic move by Airtel, which announced a free Perplexity Pro subscription — worth ₹17,000 — for all its users across platforms, including mobile, broadband, and DTH.
Airtel’s Big Move Sparks a Surge
On July 17, Airtel surprised its user base by offering a complimentary one-year Perplexity Pro subscription to all Indian customers. The premium plan, which grants access to a wide range of AI capabilities, quickly caught the attention of tech-savvy users and AI enthusiasts nationwide.
This partnership led to a massive spike in Perplexity app downloads, catapulting it to the number one position on the App Store India, dethroning OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which slipped to second place.
Perplexity CEO Confirms Milestone
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, confirmed the app’s new status via a post on X.com (formerly Twitter), proudly sharing that Perplexity AI is now the most downloaded app in India — thanks to the Airtel collaboration.
What Makes Perplexity Pro So Popular?
While many users were content with the free versions of ChatGPT and Perplexity, the Pro tier of Perplexity AI unlocks powerful research tools and AI capabilities, such as:
- Access to multiple AI models: GPT-4.1, Gemini 2.5, Claude, Grok, and more
- Image generation tools
- Advanced search and summarization features
- Real-time citations and source tracking
With these enhancements now available for free, Airtel users flocked to claim the offer — triggering a dramatic rise in app installations.
How to Claim Free Perplexity Pro via Airtel
If you’re an Airtel subscriber and haven’t claimed your free Perplexity Pro subscription, here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Airtel Thanks app on your smartphone.
- Navigate to the ‘Rewards’ section.
- Look for the Perplexity Pro offer and tap ‘Claim’.
- Sign in using your Google account when redirected.
Download the Perplexity AI app and log in — your 1-year Pro subscription will be automatically activated.
Final Thoughts
With the race for AI dominance heating up, Perplexity’s rise to the top in India marks a turning point — especially with telcos like Airtel bringing premium AI access to the masses. Whether this lead sustains beyond the free subscription period remains to be seen, but for now, Perplexity has clearly captured India’s AI spotlight.
