Meta’s Threads has overtaken X in daily mobile users globally for the first time, according to recent data from analytics firm Similarweb. The milestone marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape between Meta’s Twitter alternative and Elon Musk’s X platform.
The Numbers Behind the Growth
As of early January 2026, Threads recorded 141.5 million daily active users across iOS and Android devices, compared to X’s 125 million daily mobile users. This represents a significant reversal in the platforms’ relative performance on mobile devices.
Similarweb’s data reveals stark growth trajectories for both platforms. Threads is experiencing year-over-year growth of 37.8 percent, while X’s daily mobile audience declined by 11.9 percent over the same period. The crossover appears to have occurred between late October and early November 2025, following months of steady growth rather than a sudden spike.
A Divided Picture: Mobile vs. Web
While Threads dominates on mobile, the story differs significantly on web platforms. X maintains a commanding lead with approximately 145.4 million daily web visitors, compared to Threads’ 8.5 million daily web visits. When combined across all platforms, X still attracts an estimated 270 million daily users versus Threads’ roughly 150 million.
In the United States specifically, X retains a narrow edge with 21.2 million daily active mobile users compared to Threads’ 19.5 million. However, Threads has been gaining ground rapidly in the US market, surging 42 percent year-over-year compared to X’s 18 percent growth.
Drivers of Threads’ Mobile Success
The growth of Threads appears driven by several factors rather than user migration from X alone. Meta has leveraged cross-promotions through its larger social platforms—Facebook and Instagram prominently feature Threads to their existing 3.5 billion daily active users. Additionally, Threads has steadily expanded its feature set, introducing interest-based communities, improved filters, direct messaging, long-form text, disappearing posts, and game features over the past year.
The mobile-first strategy has resonated with users seeking a less contentious platform experience, with the data suggesting Threads is building new habits rather than simply capturing disillusioned X users.
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