OpenAI has begun accepting submissions from third-party developers to access their apps directly in ChatGPT, and has launched a new app directory (don’t call it that). "gather"!) which can be opened in the ChatGPT sidebar and at the URL chatgpt.com/apps.
This means the more than 800 million users of OpenAI’s hit chatbot can instantly discover, discover, and start using newly approved third-party apps. Once installed, apps can be triggered during a conversation by mentioning them by name (using @) or selecting them from the tools menu.
The third-party app submission process officially went live last night, December 17, as OpenAI announced in a blog post and on its developer account on Apps that pass OpenAI’s review process will become available to users in early 2026.
For enterprises that want to get in on the action with their own ChatGPT apps, OpenAI said it will host a public webinar “Build Hour” event for third-party developers on Jan. 21, where OpenAI engineers will learn how to build, submit, and design apps for ChatGPT using real-world examples and answering questions.
App Directory vs GPT Store
This entire effort marks the beginning of a broader developer ecosystem beyond the small group of curated partners OpenAI launched its Apps Standard Development Kit (SDK) earlier this autumn, and it appears to be living up to the hype that OpenAI generated when it debuted. "GPT Store" About two years ago, in early 2024.
However, despite the revenue sharing promises made by OpenAI at the time, it has not provided many updates on the GPT store, nor have we heard much from GPT builders about earning substantial revenue from it.
But whereas those custom, user-generated GPTs were limited to primarily text-based experiences, the new ChatGPT app directory and SDK features allow for a far more interactive experience, including user-accessible buttons, maps, multi-views, sliders, shaders, and other interaction modalities. The GPT store is also still available.
Monetization, Sanctions and Review Process
At this early stage, ChatGPT apps may link to external websites to complete purchases Only material things.
Selling digital goods, subscriptions, or in-app services is not yet allowed, although OpenAI says it is exploring additional monetization options over time.
All apps must:
- Comply with OpenAI’s usage policies
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Be suitable for general audiences including teenagers
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Include a clear privacy policy and support contacts
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Avoid advertising, deceptive practices or prohibited commerce categories
Developers submit apps through the OpenAI developer platform, where they can track review status. Only one version of an app can be under review at a time.
What does this mean for developers and users
OpenAI first introduced the Apps SDK at its DevDay conference in October, pitching it as a way to build “apps inside ChatGPT.” CEO Sam Altman described this approach as “enabling a new generation of apps that are interactive, adaptive, and personalized.”
Built on the Open Model Context Protocol (MCP) developed by rival Anthropic, the Apps SDK lets developers connect external services, fetch real-time context, trigger actions, and render UI directly inside ChatGPTT.
Until now, ChatGPT apps were limited to a list of seven pilot partners including:
- booking.com
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Canva
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Coursera
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Expedia
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figma
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spotify
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Zillow
That list has since expanded to dozens of new apps, including Adobe PhotoShop (and Acrobat and Express), Github, Replit, Gmail and Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, Stripe, and many other popular software.
And with general submissions now open, any verified developer – from solo builders to large enterprises – can create and submit apps to ChatGPT, provided they meet OpenAI’s quality, security and privacy standards.
For users, the change means ChatGPT can now act as a hub for specialized tools and workflows. Apps can enhance conversations by pulling live data, presenting interactive interfaces, or taking actions on behalf of the user – such as designing a presentation, searching for accommodation, or interacting with an external service – without leaving the chat.
Apps can appear in several formats, including:
- Inline card or carousel inside a conversation
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Fullscreen view for intensive tasks like maps or slide decks
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Picture-in-picture mode for videos, tutorials or live sessions
OpenAI says the goal is to keep everything interactive while adding real utility.
How is ChatGPT managing apps data
The biggest open question about ChatGPT apps is how user data is handled when third-party apps are involved. Based on OpenAI’s documentation and guidelines, here’s what’s clear—and what’s unanswered.
Here’s what OpenAI clearly stated:
- When a user connects to an app, ChatGPT explains what type of data may be shared with third parties and the app’s privacy policy appears before the connection.
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Third-party developers are responsible for how their apps handle the data after it is received.
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Apps should minimize data collection, requesting only what is necessary to perform a specific task.
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Apps are prohibited from requesting full chat transcripts, extensive contextual data “just in case” or sensitive personal data.
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Any action that sends data outside ChatGPT or modifies an external system must be clearly labeled and require user confirmation.
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Apps must not reconstruct or infer a user’s full chat history and must avoid anonymous tracking or profiling.
What OpenAI has not clarified publicly:
- Does OpenAI itself retain or log the data passed between ChatGPT and third-party apps.
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Whether data exchanged with apps can be used for model training or internal analysis.
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How long OpenAI stores metadata or interaction traces related to app use.
As a result, while OpenAI emphasizes strong guardrails for developers and transparency for users, it has not clearly detailed OpenAI’s own role as a data processor in app interactions. That ambiguity has already been investigated and remains an open issue as the app ecosystem expands.
big picture
With app submissions now open and the App Directory live, ChatGPT is no longer just a conversational AI – it is becoming a distribution platform for AI-native software.
Developers get access to a massively built audience, while users get tools that can be discovered and used when needed during direct conversations.
OpenAI describes it as “just the beginning”. But now with the infrastructure in place, the shift from chatbots to app ecosystems is officially underway.
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