ByteDance's Doubao Hits 155 Million Weekly Users, Dominating China's AI App Market

One app is pulling far ahead in China's consumer AI race. ByteDance-owned Doubao remained mainland China's top consumer artificial intelligence app in December, cementing a trend where the country’s Big Tech firms continue to outpace emerging start-ups.

The ChatGPT-like app boasted 155 million weekly active users in the second week of December, according to a report released Tuesday by business intelligence firm QuestMobile. That figure is nearly double the 81.56 million recorded by its closest competitor, DeepSeek's app.

Big Tech's Unshakeable Grip

Doubao's dominance isn't an isolated event; it's a clear signal of a wider market dynamic. Established giants like ByteDance are leveraging their massive existing user bases, deep pockets, and sophisticated distribution channels to gain an overwhelming advantage. For AI start-ups, competing on technology alone is proving to be an insufficient strategy.

The immense cost of developing and scaling large language models creates a high barrier to entry. While start-ups such as DeepSeek may possess innovative technology, they often struggle to match the marketing and integration power of incumbents. It's a battle that is increasingly fought with capital, not just code.