Apps in ChatGPT: The Next Evolution

Apps in ChatGPT: The Next Evolution

Introduction

ChatGPT started as a conversational assistant: you typed prompts, it responded. Over time, its capabilities expanded via memory, web search, code execution, image generation, etc. But a more recent shift is transforming it into a platform: “Apps in ChatGPT” (sometimes called “mini-apps”, “third-party apps inside ChatGPT”, or “ChatGPT Apps SDK”). These allow external services to integrate more directly so that you can do more things in ChatGPT without constantly leaving the chat.

This article explains what “Apps in ChatGPT” are, how they work, what apps are available now, how developers build them, what benefits and risks there are, and what to expect ahead.

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What are “Apps in ChatGPT”

“Apps in ChatGPT” refers to third-party applications/services that are embedded into the ChatGPT environment so you can interact with them inside a conversation. Rather than ChatGPT only producing text responses, these apps provide interactive experiences like maps, playlists, slide designs, course content, or travel bookings, all without forcing the user to switch context to external websites or tools. OpenAI+2TechCrunch+2

Key ideas:

• Apps can be invoked by name (“Spotify, make me a playlist …”) or suggested by ChatGPT when relevant to the conversation. OpenAI+2OpenAI Help Center+2

• They can present interactive elements: maps, slides, interactive UI inside the chat. OpenAI+2TechCrunch+2

• Users connect the app the first time to grant necessary permissions and accept the data‐sharing & privacy terms. OpenAI Help Center+1

So “Apps” are more than just ChatGPT plugins: they are embedded tools you can converse with, that participate in the chat flow, leveraging the context of what you are discussing.

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How It Works: Technology Behind It

To support this feature, OpenAI introduced a couple of new pieces:

1. Apps SDK: For developers to build these apps. It provides the methods, protocols, and interface expectations so that the app can integrate inside ChatGPT. OpenAI+1

2. Model Context Protocol (MCP): This is a framework that allows the model (ChatGPT) to access external data sources, tools, workflows, and integrate them into the conversational context in a structured manner. It helps ChatGPT decide when to call apps, how to use them, and how to combine their outputs with natural language responses. MacRumors+2OpenAI+2

3. Privacy / Permissions / Data Sharing: When an app is used the first time, ChatGPT shows the privacy policy and which data will be shared. Also, if you have memory enabled in ChatGPT, apps may access relevant memories (previous conversation history or stored user info) to tailor responses. OpenAI Help Center+1

4. Availability: As of early October 2025, apps are available to all logged-in ChatGPT users outside the EU, under Free, Go, Plus, and Pro subscription plans. Pilot launch with a few core partners; more apps and support for more markets are expected. OpenAI Help Center+1

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Apps Available Now (Pilot Partners & Examples)

Some examples of apps that are already integrated into ChatGPT (as of Oct 2025) include:

These are part of a pilot set, meant to demonstrate the capability and scope. More are being prepared. OpenAI+1

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How Users Use Apps in ChatGPT: Scenarios & Examples

Here are several ways in which users can leverage apps in ChatGPT, with concrete examples.

1. Planning & Productivity

   • Travel planning: You could say: “Expedia, show me flights from Delhi to Mumbai next month under $100,” or “Booking.com, find hotels in Udaipur with swimming pool and under a budget.” All while staying inside the conversation.

   • Designs & Presentations: “Canva, design a poster for my Diwali event with these themes: …” Then you get design mockups or templates without switching to Canva’s site.

   • Learning: When watching or discussing course material, you might ask Coursera questions and get clarifications inline.

2. Media & Entertainment

   • Music: Create a playlist via Spotify, perhaps ask for a mood-based playlist or regional songs.

   • Visual content: Use Figma or Canva for creative drafts.

3. Shopping / Real-estate

   • Browse properties via Zillow in your desired city, see maps, compare prices.

   • Book hotels or accommodations, check availability, etc.

4. Workflow Integration

   • The apps being embedded reduce overhead: no copying and pasting, fewer tab switching, a more seamless flow.

   • ChatGPT’s ability to suggest apps when they become relevant helps users discover tools. For example, if you say you want to build a presentation, ChatGPT may suggest “Canva” automatically. OpenAI+1

5. Personalization

   • If memory is turned on, ChatGPT plus apps can use stored data (your preferences, past chat history) to make reuse easier. E.g. If ChatGPT knows that you prefer certain styles of posters, Canva’s suggestions might adapt accordingly. OpenAI Help Center+1

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Key Benefits

Here are the advantages of integrating apps inside ChatGPT:

• Seamless UX & Reduced Fragmentation: No need to jump between multiple apps, websites; everything happens in one environment.

• Contextual Integration: Because ChatGPT knows the context of your conversation, the apps can respond more relevantly.

• Better Discovery: Users may not know all the tools available. Having ChatGPT suggest apps when they are relevant helps find useful tools.

• Efficiency & Speed: Faster to issue a command (“Spotify, do this”) than opening app, navigating UI.

• Unified Permissions & Privacy Controls: With this model, the first-use permission prompts help users understand what data is involved.

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Challenges & Concerns

While the concept is powerful, there are important trade-offs, limitations, and risks to be aware of.

1. Privacy and Data Sharing

   • When you connect an app, some data from your chats (and memories, when enabled) may be accessible to the app. Not all users may fully understand what is shared. OpenAI Help Center

   • Cross-jurisdiction privacy laws (e.g. GDPR in EU) may complicate how apps are deployed, stored, or regulated. Note: as of Oct 2025, “Apps” inside ChatGPT are not yet available in the EU. OpenAI Help Center

2. Security

   • Apps represent third-party software. There is always a risk that bugs, vulnerabilities, or even malicious behavior could arise.

   • Ensuring that app developers follow secure practices is crucial.

3. Quality & Oversight

   • The usefulness of an app depends on how well it is integrated, how well the user interface inside chat works, latency, etc.

   • Poorly designed apps or ones with limited functionality may disappoint users.

4. Discoverability and Fairness

   • Which apps are suggested when? There is potential for bias toward big/known brands vs smaller/new ones.

   • Users may miss apps if suggestions are not visible or relevant.

5. Technical Limitations

   • Not all functions of the full external app may be available inside ChatGPT; there may be simplified or constrained versions.

   • Performance and latency constraints: rendering interactive UI inside chat, fetching external data, etc.

6. Legal / Compliance / Market Access

   • In certain regions, regulatory restrictions might delay or limit availability.

   • Legal compliance (consumer protection, data protection) must be managed carefully.

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How to Build Apps (Developers’ View)

For developers wanting to build apps that plug into ChatGPT, here’s what is known (as of this stage):

• Use the Apps SDK: OpenAI provides a preview SDK so developers can build apps that integrate with ChatGPT via the Model Context Protocol. OpenAI+1

• Define what the app does: may expose interactive UI elements, make use of chat history, external data, etc.

• Privacy & permission specs: apps must clearly specify what data is needed, how it is used.

• Testing & compliance: ensure UX works well in chat, support performance, be secure.

OpenAI also indicates that more apps will be accepted later this year (post-pilot) via app submissions. So developer access will broaden. OpenAI Help Center+1

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Comparisons: Apps in ChatGPT vs Plugins vs GPTs

To avoid confusion, it helps to distinguish “Apps in ChatGPT” from related concepts:

• Plugins: Earlier, ChatGPT supported “plugins”, which allowed the assistant to call external APIs/tools. Apps are similar but they seem to be more UI-integrated and interactive, embedded inside the conversation.

• Custom GPTs / GPTs: These are personalized or custom agents you can build with instructions, specialized knowledge or workflows. GPTs are more about configuring ChatGPT’s behavior; Apps are about adding external tools.

• Standalone Apps (Spotify, Canva, etc.): These are full apps outside ChatGPT. The new integration doesn’t replace them but offers lighter versions or selected functionality inside ChatGPT.

Apps in ChatGPT thus combine the convenience of chat + tool invocation + UI elements, more tightly aligned than only API-based plugins.

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Case Study / Example Flows

To illustrate, here are a few detailed example user flows:

Example 1: Planning a Trip

1. User: “I’m thinking of going to Goa for 5 days in December, budget ₹40,000. Expedia, suggest hotels and flights.”

2. ChatGPT brings up Expedia app inside the chat, shows options for hotels & flights.

3. User picks some options, compares, maybe calls Canva: “Canva, design a travel itinerary poster with images.”

4. At the same time, user might ask Zillow if looking for holiday homes (if relevant region).

This keeps everything in one conversation: planning, design, logistics.

Example 2: Organizing an Event

1. User: “I want to throw a Diwali party next month.”

2. ChatGPT suggests apps: Spotify (“Spotify, create a playlist with Bollywood party songs”), Canva (“Make me invitation cards”), etc.

3. Using these, the user gets a playlist, invitation design, perhaps booking via Booking.com if people are coming from out of town.

Example 3: Learning & Content Creation

1. User: “I’m learning Machine Learning via Coursera. I just watched Lecture 3 — can you help me with the mathematical derivation?”

2. ChatGPT with Coursera can reference the video, pull up slides, perhaps clarify concepts.

3. Maybe Figma or Canva is used to sketch diagrams or explain visually.

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Limitations & What It’s Not (Yet)

• Apps don’t yet completely replicate all features of full external services. They are often “mini” or “embedded” versions.

• Region restrictions: not available in all geographies (e.g., EU). OpenAI Help Center

• Some subscription tiers or plan restrictions may apply (though many apps are available even in Free plan, outside EU). OpenAI Help Center+1

• Performance: speed may vary; depending on external service APIs.

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Safety, Privacy & Regulatory Concerns

Since Apps in ChatGPT involve third-party services, interactive content, and data sharing, several safety & privacy considerations must be handled carefully:

1. User Consent: Clear disclosure of what data is shared, what app will see.

2. Limiting Data Exposure: Only share what’s needed; avoid overbroad permissions.

3. Security of Data in Transit & At Rest: External app providers must secure their side.

4. Moderation: Ensuring apps do not facilitate misuse (misinformation, malicious content).

5. Regulatory Compliance: GDPR, CCPA, India’s rules on data protection (the evolving laws), localisation of data, etc.

OpenAI has published information about privacy policies, what data is shared when apps are enabled. OpenAI Help Center

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Impact and Importance

This shift is significant for several reasons:

• ChatGPT as a Platform: Moves ChatGPT beyond the role of just “question & answer / assistant” into a hub for multiple workflows.

• Potential to Reshape How We Use Apps: We may rely less on switching between multiple apps for small tasks; more can be done conversationally.

• Democratization & Efficiency: If more developers can create apps inside ChatGPT, users get more choices; small apps can reach users via this ecosystem.

• Competitive Edge: Positions OpenAI/ChatGPT to compete not just in AI assistants, but as a platform for productivity tools.

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Visions for the Future

Looking ahead, here are potential directions and developments we might see (or hope to):

1. Wider Availability & More Apps

   • Expansion into more geographic regions, including the EU, India, etc.

   • More partner apps: e-commerce, finance, health, local services, etc.

2. Deeper Integrations

   • Richer UI elements: better map interactions, embedded video, more visual/graphic apps.

   • More powerful memory: apps that remember your preferences across sessions.

3. More Custom GPTs with App Skills

   • GPTs that are tailored for particular tasks (e.g., small business owner, teacher, content creator), can combine multiple apps under the hood.

4. Monetization / App Marketplace

   • Possibly a directory or “store” for apps inside ChatGPT, with ratings, reviews. Users might pay for premium app features.

   • Developer monetization options.

5. Improved Safety & Transparency

   • Better tools for users to control what is shared with apps.

   • Clearer audit trails, logs of what apps did and when.

6. Localisation & Adaptation

   • Apps tailored for local markets: regional content, languages, compliance with local data laws.

   • Supporting vernacular languages, local payment systems, etc.

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Potential Challenges & Risks in the Future

While there’s high promise, some obstacles will need addressing:

• App Quality Control: As the number of apps grows, ensuring good user experience and avoiding bloated, redundant, or low-quality integrations.

• Privacy Backlash & Regulatory Pressure: Regions with strict data protection regulations may limit or scrutinize apps heavily.

• Competition & Ecosystem Dynamics: Big companies may dominate; smaller developers may find it harder to gain visibility.

• Technical Limits: Latency, stability, reliability especially when calling external APIs or handling large data.

• User Adoption & Learning Curve: Users need to become aware of these apps, how to invoke them, trust them, etc.

• Monetization Ethics: Ensuring that monetization doesn’t lead to exploitative practices, ads, or misleading suggestions.

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Conclusion

“Apps in ChatGPT” represent a significant step in the evolution of what AI assistants can be. They blur the line between conversation and action: you don’t just ask, you do. For users, this promises efficiency, seamless interaction, and new capabilities. For developers, a new platform to build upon. For OpenAI and the AI assistant field, this is an evolution toward more integrated, multifunctional AI ecosystems.

However, with power comes responsibility: privacy, quality, fairness, and regionally inclusive rollout are critical to get right. If those are handled well, Apps in ChatGPT could shift how we interact with digital tools — making conversations the center of doing.

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