ChatGPT Leads the AI Assistants, With Gemini 2 Points Behind
60% of US AI users use ChatGPT and 58% use Gemini. Claude nearly tripled its users in a year.
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by Navid Moazzez·Updated Sept 30, 2026·2 min read·Navid.me is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.Share of US AI users who use each assistant, 2026 (Menlo Ventures)
| Item | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 60 | 60% |
| Gemini | 58 | 58% |
| Claude | 20 | 20% |
Source: Menlo Ventures, The State of Consumer AI 2026 (5,067 US adults, surveyed with Morning Consult in July 2026) (checked Sept 29, 2026)
ChatGPT is still the most used AI assistant, but its lead is almost gone.
Menlo Ventures' 2026 survey found that 60% of US AI users use ChatGPT, and 58% use Gemini.
In this post, you'll find:
- Which AI assistants people use most
- How fast each one grew in a year
- How many assistants each person uses
- How often people use AI
Every number comes from Menlo Ventures' survey of 5,067 US adults, run with Morning Consult in July 2026.
Key AI assistant stats
Here are the numbers at a glance:
- 60% of US AI users use ChatGPT, up from 45% (Menlo Ventures)
- 58% use Gemini, up from 36% (Menlo Ventures)
- 20% use Claude, up from 7% (Menlo Ventures)
- The average AI user uses 3.0 AI assistants, up from 2.2 (Menlo Ventures)
- 39% of AI users use AI every day, up from 31% (Menlo Ventures)
Let's look at each one.
The most used AI assistants
Here's each assistant and the share of US AI users who use it:
Source: Menlo Ventures, The State of Consumer AI 2026.
Gemini cut ChatGPT's lead from 9 points to 2. Claude grew fastest, nearly tripling from 7% to 20%.
People use three assistants on average
The average AI user now uses 3.0 AI assistants, up from 2.2 a year ago.
That's why the shares add up to more than 100%: one person can count for ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude at once.
How often people use AI
AI is a daily habit for a growing group:
How often people use AI (%)
25% of all Americans use AI every day, up from 19% a year ago. Among AI users, it's 39%, up from 31%.
How to use these numbers
When you pick your AI assistants:
- Try the two most used first: ChatGPT and Gemini
- Keep a second assistant for the jobs your first one handles badly
- Give Claude a real job before you rule it out, since it grew fastest
- Check what you pay each month, since most people now use more than one assistant
You don't have to pick one winner. The average AI user already uses three.
FAQs about the most used AI assistants
Questions about which AI assistants people use? Here's what to know.
ChatGPT, used by 60% of US AI users, according to Menlo Ventures' 2026 survey.
Gemini is 2 points behind at 58%.
20% of US AI users use Claude, up from 7% in 2025, according to Menlo Ventures.
3.0, up from 2.2 a year ago, according to Menlo Ventures.
25% of all Americans use AI every day, up from 19%.
Among AI users, it's 39%.
60% of US AI users use ChatGPT, up from 45% in 2025, according to Menlo Ventures.
58% of US AI users use Gemini, up from 36% in 2025, according to Menlo Ventures.
Yes: Gemini cut ChatGPT's lead from 9 points in 2025 to 2 points in 2026, according to Menlo Ventures.
Claude: its share of US AI users nearly tripled in a year, from 7% to 20%, according to Menlo Ventures.
Most people use more than one assistant.
The average AI user uses 3.0, so one person can count for ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude at once.
It comes from Menlo Ventures' survey of 5,067 US adults, run with Morning Consult in July 2026 and published September 16, 2026.
Sources (1)
Navid Moazzez
AI business strategist
Navid Moazzez helps creators and founders master AI and build their own AI Operating System (AI OS) to automate their business and life.
Navid.me is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Read the affiliate disclaimer.
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