Meta's Threads now surpasses X in daily mobile users globally, reaching 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android. The rival platform formerly known as Twitter recorded 125 million daily mobile users as of January 7, according to Similarweb data reported by TechCrunch.
Threads first overtook X in global daily mobile users in September 2025, with the lead widening through late 2025, according to industry reports. The shift occurred gradually between October and November rather than through a sudden spike, reflecting steady growth for Meta's text-based platform.
X maintains a decisive lead in web traffic with 145.4 million daily visitors compared to Threads' 8.5 million. Combined across mobile and web platforms, X totals approximately 270 million daily users versus Threads' 150 million.
The United States presents a different competitive landscape. X continues to attract more mobile users than Threads domestically, though Similarweb estimates X's U.S. daily active mobile user base has declined to roughly half of year-ago levels.
Threads launched in July 2023 as a text-based companion to Instagram, leveraging Meta's existing social ecosystem. The platform benefits from Instagram's over 2 billion monthly active users through seamless credential sharing and cross-promotion features.
Growth metrics show Threads reported 115.1 million daily active users in June 2025, marking a 127.8 percent year-over-year increase, as detailed in an earlier TechCrunch report. The platform's mobile-first design aligns with broader social media trends where apps dominate daily interactions.
X faces ongoing challenges including advertiser pullbacks and policy changes under Elon Musk's leadership. Threads has avoided similar controversies while adding features like threaded conversations, polls, and creator monetization tools.
Industry observers note Threads' growth trajectory could continue through 2026 if Meta sustains its current innovation pace. The platform's integration with Instagram's advertising infrastructure provides financial stability absent from X's subscription-focused model.
Mobile dominance for Threads suggests a generational divide, with younger users already entrenched in Instagram's ecosystem finding Threads a natural extension. X retains strength in web-heavy markets and professional networking contexts.
The rivalry extends beyond user counts to monetization strategies. Threads benefits from Meta's established ad network for social commerce, while X pushes into payments and premium content amid regulatory scrutiny.
Market intelligence indicates Threads could reach 200 million daily mobile users by mid-2026 if current growth rates continue. Both platforms now serve distinct audiences with Threads focusing on positive interactions and X maintaining its real-time news positioning, similar to how Alphabet recently overtook Apple in market value in another tech industry shift.
