Threads Surpasses X in Daily Mobile Users
Threads by Meta Platforms Inc. has emerged as a leader, overtaking X owned by Elon Musk in the number of daily mobile users, indicating a notable transformation in the social media arena as X deals with increasing scrutiny related to its AI chatbot Grok and the proliferation of non-consensual explicit images.
Daily Active Users Comparison
As of January 7, 2026, Threads reached 141.5 million daily active mobile users on iOS and Android, in contrast to X’s 125 million daily active mobile users, as reported by Similarweb. These statistics highlight Threads’ accelerating growth on smartphones, although X maintains a strong lead in desktop web traffic.
X’s Web Audience versus Threads
Despite Threads’ rapid rise, X still retains a significantly larger online presence, boasting 434.1 million monthly new website users worldwide, while Threads has 737,505 monthly new app users only.
Trends in User Adoption
TechCrunch, which was the first to highlight these statistics, suggested that the increase in mobile users for Threads represents a long-term adoption trend, rather than being solely driven by X’s recent issues.
Controversies Surrounding X
The platform is currently under international scrutiny after its Grok AI chatbot was implicated in creating and spreading non-consensual sexualised images of women and what seemed to be minors. Moreover, the attorney general of California has launched an investigation into Grok.
Alternative Platforms Gain Popularity
Simultaneously, platforms similar to X are experiencing a rise in popularity. Bluesky, a microblogging app, has noted a significant jump in iOS downloads as reports regarding AI-generated deepfakes on X emerged, as per Appfigures.
X vs Threads: The Indian Market
In India, X maintains an overwhelming dominance on the web. Data from Similarweb for October to December 2025 indicates that X accounted for 99.9% of social microblogging web traffic, while Threads, which is solely an app, captured only 0.1% of web traffic in the region.
Meta’s Strategy with Threads
Meta has aggressively promoted Threads via cross-promotion on Facebook and Instagram, enabling the app to grow swiftly. In October 2025, the company announced that Threads had surpassed 150 million daily active users worldwide, supported by ongoing feature enhancements and stronger integration with Meta’s social platforms.