TLDRs;
- Alibaba’s Qwen app surged 149% in November, reaching 18.3 million users and leading global AI growth.
- Qwen’s suite of AI tools, from image generation to research, attracts users seeking versatile functionality.
- Developers see potential in Qwen’s Chinese-language AI models, expanding the ecosystem for customized applications.
- While Qwen’s growth is impressive, global rankings and API accessibility remain key challenges for expansion.
Alibaba’s Qwen app has emerged as the fastest-growing AI application worldwide, according to Aicpb.com. Within just two weeks of its public beta, Qwen reached an impressive 18.3 million monthly active users (MAU), positioning it as the 24th most used AI app globally.
Li Bangzhu, founder of Aicpb.com, emphasized that Qwen’s rapid adoption outpaces other global AI products, though the methodology behind the ranking remains somewhat opaque. Despite this, the growth highlights strong demand for AI applications that combine practicality with advanced capabilities.
Multimodal Tools Drive User Engagement
Qwen offers users a wide range of multimodal AI tools, including deep research, image generation, and slide creation, all powered by Alibaba’s proprietary large language models. This versatility has made the platform particularly appealing in markets that require comprehensive AI solutions for productivity and creativity.
The app’s design, which emphasizes Chinese-language functionality, has contributed significantly to early adoption, as users seek tools optimized for local language processing alongside cutting-edge AI technology.
Third-Party Developers Eye Qwen Integration
Early data suggests strong interest from third-party developers, particularly for applications targeting Chinese-language tasks. The app recorded ten million downloads within the first week of beta, reflecting widespread market demand.
Alibaba’s Qwen App just hit 10M+ downloads in just the first week of its public beta launch, making it one of the fastest-growing AI applications to date! pic.twitter.com/F7vTxLvXeQ
— Alibaba Group (@AlibabaGroup) November 24, 2025
Alibaba plans to invest at least 380 billion renminbi over the next three years across AI infrastructure, foundational models, and AI-native applications. Its cloud arm, Alibaba Cloud, already holds over one-third of China’s cloud market, providing the scale to support rapid deployment and ecosystem growth.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While Qwen’s growth trajectory is notable, some industry observers advise caution when interpreting its “fastest growing AI app globally” claim. Aicpb.com’s methodology lacks transparency, leaving questions about regional coverage, web versus app usage, and comparisons with other AI-powered platforms, including Alibaba’s Quark browser, which leverages Qwen models and reaches nearly 150 million MAU worldwide.
Access to clear commercial terms, including API availability and pricing, will be critical for sustaining growth. Low-cost offerings, around $1 per year for individual users,could accelerate adoption but require clarity for third-party developers to build effectively on Qwen.
Looking ahead, Qwen’s combination of robust AI functionality, local-language optimization, and strategic investments positions it as a key contender in the global AI landscape, though sustaining momentum will depend on market transparency and competitive positioning.
