The idea of the “super app” where you can do almost everything without leaving the same screen It's no longer exclusive to platforms like WeChat or Elon Musk's plans for X. OpenAI has taken an important step in that direction and has begun deploying, also in Spain and the rest of Europe, a app store integrated directly into the official ChatGPT app, accessible from the chatbot's own sidebar.
With this move, ChatGPT ceases to be just a conversational assistant and becomes a central platform from which to manage third-party services, content and tasksFrom productivity apps like Gmail, Google Drive or Slack to leisure and travel services like Spotify, Apple Music, Booking.com, Uber or TheFork, everything is orchestrated from the same chat interface.
From connectors to apps: what the ChatGPT 'store' is like now
Until recently, what OpenAI now calls applications were simple connectors that allowed ChatGPT to pull external data hosted on services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or SharePoint. With the launch of the new App Directory, the company has decided to rename and reorganize this entire ecosystem under a clearer concept: “apps” within ChatGPT.
The support documentation details that the old connectors are now divided into several categories: “apps with file search” (to access documents in the cloud), “apps with in-depth research” o “apps with synchronization”Depending on the type of integration they offer. In practice, for the user this means that All these functions are unified in a new section called “Applications” within the side menu.
This section is now active in Spain, both on the web version and the mobile apps. When you open ChatGPT, the entry appears in the left column. “Apps” right below the images sectionFrom there you can access a directory that displays the available tools, their categories, and a search engine to locate specific services.
The store is structured in three main sections visible to the user: Featured, Lifestyle, and ProductivityThe “Featured” section groups the integrations that OpenAI wants to highlight, while the other two sections organize the catalog by type of use, from work tools to leisure and daily consumption services.
An initial catalog of 51 apps in Spain
The company says the new apps section is much broader than the handful of connectors that existed until nowIn the case of Spain, the catalog starts with 51 available apps, some recently launched and others that had already been tested since October with a smaller number of users.
OpenAI organizes this list into two main categories: Productivity and LifestyleThe first is, for now, the largest, with names very well known in the digital work environment. In Productivity, the following appear, among others: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Notion, Slack, Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, Figma, GitHub, GitLab Issues, Monday.com, Teamwork.com, Stripe, Replit, Vercel or Zoho in different variants.
In many of these cases the app allows view content or perform actions without leaving the chat itselfSearching for emails in Gmail, reviewing files in Google Drive, viewing tasks on Monday.com, locating issues on GitHub, or reading messages from Slack and Teams. The idea is that ChatGPT can interpret natural language to manage these services and, when appropriate, execute contextual actions, such as generating a document or preparing a data analysis.
Within the Lifestyle section, the range shifts towards leisure, travel, sports and shoppingApps like this are listed here Apple Music, Spotify, AllTrails, Booking.com, Expedia, Instacart, OpenTable, TheFork, Tripadvisor, Uber, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Peloton or ZillowIn Europe, some of these integrations may arrive gradually, but there are already enough active options to see how the ChatGPT user experience changes.
A clear example is Apple Music, which already has its own app within ChatGPTFrom the chat, you can search for songs, create playlists, or manage part of your library without needing to open the native app. Something similar happens with Spotify: if you have a premium account, you can request playlists from ChatGPT tailored to your mood or current situation, leveraging data from the streaming service.
How app integration works in everyday life
Beyond the list, the relevant change is that Interaction with these apps occurs within the conversation flow itself.When a service is connected to ChatGPT, the user authorizes the AI to operate on certain data (emails, documents, reservations, playlists, etc.) respecting the conditions of the external provider.
To use an app after connecting it, there are two main ways. On the one hand, you can Mention the application using the @ symbol in the prompt...in the same way that you tag someone on a social network. On the other hand, it is possible to press the button of “+” and then select the “More” option to select the app you want to add to the conversation. From that moment on, ChatGPT interprets the request, knowing which tool to activate.
The installation experience is also reminiscent of mobile app stores. Each app has its own profile page with a description, images, and a login buttonAfter clicking “Connect”, ChatGPT displays a window warning that it will link the account with the third-party service and, in some cases, offers the option to Allow access to previous memories and chats to enrich the answers.
OpenAI emphasizes that these integrations They don't remove previous features or cut back on what already existed.The connectors have simply been reorganized under the "applications" umbrella, and the catalog has been expanded. Links to the terms and conditions of each service remain available so users can review how their data will be handled.
Basic use of the store and apps is Included for all ChatGPT accounts (Free, Plus, Go and Pro)However, the level of functionality of some integrations varies depending on whether the user is a paying customer of the external app itself; for example, certain advanced options of Spotify or Zoom only make sense if you have a premium subscription.
Memory, data, and privacy: what OpenAI does with information
Another key aspect of the launch concerns how the data is used. OpenAI indicates that Applications can use ChatGPT's Memory feature if the user has it enabled.This allows you to maintain context between conversations and personalize responses or recommendations.
At the same time, the company clarifies that, In the Free, Plus, Go, and Pro plans, some of the information generated in these interactions could be used to train their AI models.This applies as long as the user keeps the "improve the model for everyone" option selected in their account settings. In other words, there is explicit control to decide whether or not to contribute to the overall improvement of the system.
This point is especially sensitive in Europe, where authorities and users themselves... They closely monitor compliance with data protection regulations and how it affects your privacyAlthough OpenAI has not gone into detail about how it audits each integration, it does insist that the store has app moderation and review mechanisms to prioritize security and usability.
The company reminds us that All connections to external services are made respecting the terms of those platforms.When a user links ChatGPT to, for example, their hotel booking account, they are redirected to the service's official page to log in and authorize the integration, a process similar to the familiar login with Google or Microsoft.
At a time when AI is being integrated into more and more areas, these terms of use and transparency regarding data processing have become a determining factor for European users and companies to adopt or not adopt these new tools in their daily lives.
Open SDK and new opportunities for European developers
The store launch is accompanied by another important move: OpenAI has opened its SDK so that third parties can create interactive experiences that run within the ChatGPT interface.This allows companies, startups, and independent developers to design specific applications that leverage context, memory, and, with user consent, certain personal data.
With this approach, ChatGPT aims to become a platform on which others build products and servicesJust as the iOS and Android app stores did in their time, developers can offer niche solutions, automate workflows, add AI layers to existing services, or even launch entirely new products based on conversational interaction.
For the European ecosystem, this means lowering the barrier to entry for applied AIInstead of developing models from scratch, companies can leverage OpenAI's infrastructure and focus on designing use cases, user experience, and local regulatory compliance. The store itself acts as a global showcase where any ChatGPT user can discover these solutions.
OpenAI has indicated that the marketplace It will focus on the usefulness and security of the apps that are published.It is planned that there will be mechanisms to highlight the most popular or best-rated tools and that, over time, direct monetization options will be enabled for creators, although the details have not yet been specified.
This scenario opens the door to the possibility that Spanish and European companies and technical teams develop products designed from the outset to operate within ChatGPT.From AI-enhanced customer service systems to corporate assistants that consult internal documentation, including vertical solutions for finance, health, education, or tourism.
Monetization, payment models, and the role of advertising
One of the big unknowns surrounding this new app store is how it will contribute to that OpenAI's business is sustainable in the long termFor now, access to the applications is included with all ChatGPT accounts and usage is perceived as "all free", beyond any subscriptions the user may already have with some external services.
The company acknowledges that They are exploring additional monetization optionsThese include potential digital assets and ways for developers to generate revenue through the platform. Details of these plans will emerge as we observe how users and creators interact with the new app environment.
The role of advertising also remains uncertain. OpenAI has been delaying the introduction of ads in ChatGPTAmong other things, this is to avoid losing ground to Google in terms of public perception and to prevent outright user rejection during the initial adoption phase. The rollout of the app store opens up another revenue stream that could, in part, compensate for the initial lack of traditional advertising formats.
In any case, it cannot be ruled out that Access to certain apps or advanced features may be restricted to paying users in the future.This will depend on operating costs and actual demand. For now, the strategy seems to focus on showcasing the ecosystem's potential and encouraging its widespread adoption before making more restrictive decisions.
Some analysts see this move as another step towards Sam Altman's vision of turning ChatGPT into something very similar to an operating system, an environment on which multiple services run, managed through natural language instead of traditional icons and windows.
A user experience closer to an “app for everything”
Looking at the whole picture, the new application directory brings ChatGPT closer to the concept of “everything app” or app for everythingThis model, where a single platform allows users to chat, shop, book, work, and consume content without switching between different sites, is gaining traction. WhatsApp has already experimented with payments and added services, and X (formerly Twitter) also aspires to something similar; now OpenAI joins the race in the field of artificial intelligence.
For the average user, the change means that It is becoming less and less necessary to leave the ChatGPT window to complete everyday tasksIt's possible to organize a trip by combining Booking.com and Tripadvisor, reserve a table with TheFork or OpenTable, order food through Uber Eats or DoorDash, prepare a presentation with Figma, and coordinate a project with Monday.com, all guided by the same conversational assistant.
At the same time, the store has a integrated search engine This allows users to find specific apps without having to browse through all the categories. If a tool is available in the user's region, it will appear in the results and can be accessed from its listing, just like in a traditional app store.
In Europe, not all apps have been activated at the same time, nor do they always offer the same features as in the United States, but The list is already extensive enough to cover the most common uses productivity and leisure. Furthermore, OpenAI has made it clear that the catalog will continue to grow progressively.
For many mobile and computer users, who already saw ChatGPT as one of the essential applications for everyday life, The appearance of this integrated store represents a new leap forwardAI is no longer just an add-on to other platforms; it is now at the center of the experience, with all other services orbiting around it.
Everything suggests that this App Directory is just the first step in a broader strategy: ChatGPT positions itself as a hub from which to work, consume content, travel, Shop without leaving the chat and organize digital lifeLeveraging an app ecosystem that will continue to expand and an open SDK that invites Spanish and European developers to join, it remains to be seen how payment models and monetization will be structured, but the direction is clear: conversation is becoming the new home screen on which much of online service consumption is built.
