Messaging apps are an essential part of our daily lives. Whether it’s catching up with friends, coordinating with coworkers, or staying in touch with family, billions of people around the world rely on these apps every day.
As of 2024, WhatsApp remains the undisputed leader globally with over 2 billion monthly active users.
Let’s take a closer look at the latest statistics on the most popular messaging apps and how they stack up against each other.
Key Statistics
- Mobile messenger app users are projected to reach 7 billion globally by 2030, a 92% increase from 3.6 billion users in 2022.
- .There are Over 3 billion active users on messaging apps.
- WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app with 2.4 billion monthly users.
- Telegram is the top messaging app in 10 countries.
- LINE is the leading messaging app in Japan and Thailand.
- 60% of respondents prefer messaging over email or phone calls.
- 66% of consumers are more confident about making a purchase when a company is active in messaging apps.
- WhatsApp Business has over 200 million monthly active users.
- Facebook Messenger has 40 million businesses active on the platform.
- Snapchat generates the most revenue from in-app purchases, $18.07 million per month.
- 41 million messages are sent each minute.
- 90% of text messages are opened in three minutes.
Top messaging apps
| Messaging App | Key Statistic |
|---|---|
| Most popular messaging app worldwide with over 2 billion MAUs. | |
| Facebook Messenger | Integrates closely with Facebook, serving around 1.3 billion MAUs. |
| Snapchat | 75% of users are aged 13-34, particularly popular in the United States. |
| Telegram | Known for privacy features and large group chats, with over 900 million MAUs. |
| Over 90% market penetration in China with 1.3 billion MAUs. | |
| LINE | Popular in Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan with 182 million MAUs. |
| iMessage | Integrated into over 1 billion active Apple devices globally. |
| Discord | Popular among gamers and online communities, with 200 million MAUs. |
| Signal | Known for privacy and security, with around 40 million MAUs. |
| Viber | Significant usage in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Middle East with 850 million MAUs. |
| KakaoTalk | Dominant in South Korea with over 95% market penetration and 54 million MAUs. |
How Many People Use Messaging Apps?
Currently, more than 3 billion people use messaging apps regularly, and this number is predicted to reach 6.9 billion by 2030.
Currently, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app globally, with over two billion active social media users.
Messaging Apps Annual Users Worldwide
The growth of messaging apps worldwide has been remarkable, with the number of users increasing steadily over the years.
In 2016, messaging apps had 2.11 billion active users globally, which surged to 3.32 billion by 2021.
The trend shows no sign of slowing down, with projections reaching 3.9 billion users in 2023 and 4.23 billion by 2024.
Looking further ahead, by 2030, the number of messaging app users is expected to hit an impressive 6.9 billion.
| Year | Number of Users (in billions) |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2.11 billion |
| 2017 | 2.38 billion |
| 2018 | 2.52 billion |
| 2019 | 2.81 billion |
| 2020 | 3.19 billion |
| 2021 | 3.32 billion |
| 2022 | 3.6 billion |
| 2023* | 3.9 billion |
| 2024* | 4.23 billion |
| 2025* | 4.59 billion |
| 2026* | 4.98 billion |
| 2027* | 5.4 billion |
| 2028* | 5.86 billion |
| 2029* | 6.36 billion |
| 2030* | 6.9 billion |
Source: Business Of App, Statista
Messaging Apps By Monthly Active Users
As of 2024, WhatsApp leads the messaging app market with an impressive 2 billion monthly active users, solidifying its dominance in global communication.
WeChat has close to 1.3 billion users, making it the go-to app in China and other parts of Asia.
Facebook Messenger maintains a strong presence as well, with 1.01 billion active users.
Telegram, known for its privacy features, has grown significantly to reach 900 million users.
Snapchat continues to engage younger audiences with 800 million monthly active users.
While Discord, favored by gamers and communities, rounds out the list with 200 million users.
| Messaging Apps | Number of Active Monthly Users (MAU) |
| 2 Billion | |
| 1.3 Billion | |
| Facebook Messenger | 1.01 Billion |
| Telegram | 900 Million |
| Snapchat | 800 Million |
| 554 Million | |
| Discord | 200 Million |
Source: Statista
Messaging Apps By Monthly Downloads
As of 2024, the competition in the messaging app market by monthly downloads showcases Telegram at the top, with 48.3 million downloads each month.
WhatsApp follows closely with 46.3 million downloads, while Facebook Messenger comes in third with 25.96 million.
LINE and Viber round out the list, with 2.64 million and 2.28 million monthly downloads, respectively, reflecting the popularity of niche messaging platforms in different regions
| Messaging Service | Monthly Downloads |
| Telegram | 48.3 million |
| 46.3 million | |
| Messenger | 25.96 million |
| Snapchat | 25.41 million |
| WhatsApp Business | 23.571 million |
| 5.56 million | |
| 3.05 million | |
| Signal | 2.68 million |
| LINE | 2.64 million |
| Viber | 2.28 million |
Source: Statista
Message Apps by Monthly IAP Revenue
As of 2024, Snapchat generating an impressive $24.70 million in in-app purchases.
LINE suprisingly follows with $12.90 million, driven largely by its digital stickers and other virtual goods.
Telegram, with its growing user base, earns $8.07 million per month from in-app purchases.
Skype, a long-time player in the messaging space, continues to see revenue from in-app purchases, bringing in $2.6 million each month.
Kik, another messaging app with a loyal user base, rounds out the list with $1.30 million in monthly IAP revenue.
| Messaging App | Monthly In-App Purchase Revenue |
| Snapchat | $24.70 million |
| LINE | $12.90 million |
| Telegram | $8.07 million |
| $6.87 million | |
| $4.50 million | |
| KakaoTalk | $3.70 million |
| Skype | $2.6 million |
| TextMe | $2.30 million |
| TextNow | $2.15 million |
| Kik | $1.30 million |
Source: Statista
Most Popular Messaging App In US
As of 2024, Facebook Messenger holds the top spot as the most popular messaging app in the U.S with a user base of 108 million.
Snapchat follows closely with 106 million users, largely driven by its popularity among younger audiences.
Google Messages ranks third, with 100 million users, cementing its role as a default messaging service for Android users.
WhatsApp is also widely used in the U.S., with 98 million users, despite its stronger presence in international markets.
| Messaging App | User Base (in Millions) |
|---|---|
| Facebook Messenger | 108 Million |
| Snapchat | 106 Million |
| Google Messages | 100 Million |
| 98 Million | |
| Discord | 50 Million |
| Telegram | 7 Million |
As of 2024, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in India, with a huge market share of 84%.
Facebook Messenger comes in second, used by 52% of people, while Telegram is also widely used, with 45% of the market.
Other popular apps include Google Chat/Google Meet at 38%, Zoom at 33%, and Discord and Skype, both with 16% market share.
Microsoft Teams has 14%, and FaceTime and JioChat each have 12%.
| Messaging/Communication App | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 84% | |
| Facebook Messenger | 52% |
| Telegram | 45% |
| Google Chat / Google Meet | 38% |
| Zoom | 33% |
| Discord | 16% |
| Skype | 16% |
| Microsoft Teams | 14% |
| FaceTime | 12% |
| iMessage | 12% |
| JioChat | 12% |
| Indian Messenger | 9% |
| Hike | 7% |
| Signal | 6% |
| LINE | 4% |
| Viber | 4% |
Source: Spocket
As of 2024, Facebook Messenger dominates the messaging app market in the U.S. with a 55% penetration rate.
Instagram, which also offers messaging features, follows with 39% usage.
Apple’s iMessage holds 29% of the market, making it a key platform for iPhone users.
WhatsApp is used by 24% of the population, while Snapchat has a 23% share, especially popular among younger users.
Smaller platforms like WeChat and Slack each have 3%, and Viber rounds out the list with 2% penetration in the U.S. messaging landscape.
| Messaging Platform | Penetration Percentage |
|---|---|
| Facebook Messenger | 55% |
| 39% | |
| Apple (iMessage) | 29% |
| 24% | |
| Snapchat | 23% |
| 19% | |
| Discord | 10% |
| Telegram | 9% |
| 3% | |
| Slack | 3% |
| Viber | 2% |
| Whisper | 2% |
Source: Statista
As of 2024, WhatsApp leads the messaging app market in the UK with 73% of users relying on it for communication.
Facebook Messenger follows closely, used by 53% of the population.
FaceTime and iMessage, both popular among Apple users, hold 26% and 24% market share, respectively.
WeChat remains less popular in the UK with just 3% market share.
| Messaging Platform | Usage Percentage |
|---|---|
| 73% | |
| Facebook Messenger | 53% |
| FaceTime | 26% |
| iMessage | 24% |
| Microsoft Teams | 14% |
| Zoom | 12% |
| Discord | 10% |
| Telegram | 10% |
| Google Chat / Google Meet | 9% |
| Skype | 9% |
| 3% |
Messaging App Stats By Region
WhatsApp: Maintains its leading position, ranking number 1 in 63 out of 100 countries, the same as in 2023.
Facebook Messenger: Continues to hold the second spot, ranking number 1 in 16 out of 100 countries, consistent with its 2023 standing.
Telegram: Retains its third-place position, ranking number 1 in 10 out of 100 countries, though it has lost ground compared to last year.
While not as popular as the top three, other trending messaging apps are also making their mark:
- Viber has a strong presence in Europe, leading in four countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia.
- Line continues to be popular in Asia, particularly in Japan and Thailand.
- Several apps dominate in just one country each: KakaoTalk in South Korea, Zalo in Vietnam, and WeChat in China.
Source: SimilarWeb
