OpenAI Launches ChatGPT App Marketplace, Allowing Developers to Submit and Publish Apps

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  Newsroom

• December 19, 2025

• Newsroom

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT App Marketplace, Allowing Developers to Submit and Publish Apps

OpenAI announced today the opening of submissions for the new ChatGPT App Marketplace, enabling developers to submit apps for review and publication directly within ChatGPT. Users can now discover and explore apps through a dedicated app directory integrated into the platform.

The initiative builds on the announcement made earlier this year at OpenAI DevDay, when apps for ChatGPT were first introduced. As of today, developers can officially submit their apps by following OpenAI’s app submission guidelines. Once approved, apps will be available for discovery by millions of ChatGPT users worldwide.

ChatGPT apps are designed to extend conversations by adding new context and enabling real-world actions. Examples include ordering groceries, turning sketches into slide decks, or searching for apartments — all without leaving the chat interface.

To support developers, OpenAI has released a set of new resources based on insights gathered since DevDay, including:

• Best practices for building high-quality ChatGPT apps

• An open-source UI library for chat-native interfaces

• A step-by-step quick-start guide for app development

In-Chat App Discovery and Activation

OpenAI is also launching an in-product app directory, where users can browse featured apps or search for any published app. The directory is accessible via the Tools menu in ChatGPT or directly at chatgpt.com/apps. Developers can also use deep links to direct users to their app’s directory page from external platforms.

Once connected, apps can be activated during conversations by mentioning them with @ or selecting them from the Tools menu. OpenAI is additionally testing ways to suggest relevant apps directly within chats, using signals such as conversation context, app usage patterns, and user preferences. Clear feedback mechanisms are being incorporated to help improve the ecosystem over time.

Building, Submitting, and Monetizing Apps

According to OpenAI, creating a successful ChatGPT app starts with designing around real user intent. Developers can use the Apps SDK, currently in beta, to build chat-native experiences that bring both context and action directly into conversations.

The strongest apps are described as having a clear scope, intuitive chat interactions, and tangible user value — whether by completing real-world workflows initiated in conversation or enabling entirely new AI-native experiences within ChatGPT.

Developers are encouraged to review submission guidelines early in the process to ensure quality and compliance. Once ready, apps can be submitted through the OpenAI Developer Platform, where developers can track review status and manage metadata, testing guidelines, connectivity details, and country availability settings.

The first group of approved apps is expected to roll out gradually starting next year. Apps that meet OpenAI’s quality and safety standards may be featured more prominently in the directory or recommended directly by ChatGPT in the future.

During this initial phase, developers can direct users from ChatGPT apps to their own websites or native applications to complete transactions involving physical goods. OpenAI said it plans to explore additional monetization options over time, including digital goods, and will share updates as the ecosystem evolves.

Security and Privacy

OpenAI emphasized that all apps must comply with strict standards for security, privacy, and transparency. Developers are required to follow OpenAI usage policies, ensure content is appropriate for general audiences, and comply with third-party terms when accessing external data.

Each app submission must include a clear privacy policy, and developers are expected to request only the data necessary for the app’s functionality. When users connect an app, ChatGPT will disclose what data may be shared with third parties and provide access to the app’s privacy policy.

Users retain full control over their data. They can manage personalization settings, decide whether apps can access past conversations or memories, and disconnect any app at any time — immediately revoking its access.

Looking Ahead

OpenAI described the ChatGPT App Marketplace as an early step toward a broader ecosystem.

“This is just the beginning,” the company said. “Over time, we want apps in ChatGPT to feel like a natural extension of conversation — helping people move from ideas to action — while building a vibrant ecosystem for developers.”

Future plans include improving app discovery, expanding developer reach, and introducing new monetization pathways as OpenAI continues to learn from how users and developers interact with apps inside ChatGPT.