OpenAI has rolled out Apps in ChatGPT, a new feature that embeds third-party tools and services directly into the chat interface. With this, you don’t have to tab out or switch apps – ChatGPT can now interact with external services within the flow of conversation. Developers can begin building these integrations via a new Apps SDK, now in preview.
A selection of apps launches immediately, including services like Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow. Over time, more apps – such as Uber, DoorDash, and Target – are expected to join. Users will discover relevant apps contextually: ChatGPT may suggest one when it aligns with your request, or you can explicitly call it by name.
You can now chat with apps in ChatGPT. pic.twitter.com/T9Owi3POim
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) October 6, 2025
These apps integrate seamlessly into the chat window, displaying results via interactive cards, carousels, or full-screen panels. Designs follow a set of guidelines to ensure consistency and simplicity, so the experience feels native to ChatGPT rather than bolted on.
What Apps in ChatGPT Changes for Users and Developers
From a user perspective, the new feature turns ChatGPT into a more capable assistant. You can ask ChatGPT to design a poster via Canva, then continue to ask it to turn that into a pitch deck. Or you can search for homes with Zillow and interact with the results – without leaving ChatGPT. All that happens within a single conversation.
“The Zillow app in ChatGPT shows the power of AI to make real estate feel more human,” says Josh Weisberg, Head of AI at Zillow. “Together with OpenAI, we’re bringing a first-of-its-kind experience to millions – a conversational guide that makes finding a home faster, easier, and more intuitive.”
For developers, the Apps SDK gives them tools to integrate their services into this conversational environment. They can control how their app appears—in cards, carousels, or full views—and maintain control over security and user context. OpenAI also publishes design guidelines to help maintain consistency and trust across all app experiences.
Apps in ChatGPT are built on top of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a framework for interoperability and context-sharing between ChatGPT and integrated tools. Through MCP, apps can exchange state and context with ChatGPT to deliver richer, more relevant outputs.
OpenAI plans to open app submissions later this year, subject to review. Monetization engines are still in development, but the company intends to provide avenues for developers to monetize their integrated apps.
Implications, Risks, and What’s Next
This shift transforms ChatGPT from a conversational AI into a platform, similar to how smartphones evolved from single-function devices to ecosystems of apps. It lowers friction by letting users stay in one interface to access many services.
But integration also introduces challenges. Third-party apps could misinterpret user inputs, leak private data, or degrade user experience if not designed carefully. Ensuring privacy, permissions, and robustness will be critical.
Security is especially important because apps inside ChatGPT operate with access to user queries, context, and data. Any vulnerability in an integrated app could compromise that trust boundary. OpenAI’s design guides and MCP-based isolation may help mitigate those risks, but implementation across many partners will be a major test.
Looking forward, adoption depends on how many developers embrace the SDK and how well apps deliver value without overwhelming the conversation flow. If successful, ChatGPT could become a central hub for digital services – one that bridges language-based interaction with functional action.