Threads overtakes X as Zuckerberg’s young platform beats Musk in daily users

Threads edges ahead in daily mobile users

For the first time, Threads has overtaken Elon Musk’s X in global daily mobile usage. Data from analytics firm Similarweb shows Threads hit about 130.2 million daily active users between September 15 and 21, compared to X’s 130.1 million.

It may be a narrow lead, but symbolically it’s enormous. For a platform launched in 2023, Threads’ rapid climb shows how quickly Meta’s text-based app has carved out space in the conversation economy.

X’s user base is slipping over time

The shift didn’t happen overnight. In September 2024, X had nearly 150 million daily active users, while Threads had 81 million. A year later, X dropped by more than 20 million, while Threads grew by almost 50 million.

That steady decline for X and rapid rise for Threads tells the bigger story: people are moving away from Musk’s platform and trying Meta’s alternative, which integrates directly into Instagram’s massive network.

Threads wins with iPhone users worldwide

Threads has already pulled ahead of X among iOS users. As of September 20, Threads had 62.5 million daily iPhone users worldwide, compared with X’s 56.6 million. The iOS advantage matters because Apple’s base tends to be younger and more engaged.

Meta’s tight integration between Instagram and Threads makes it easier for iPhone users to jump over and test out Zuckerberg’s new space for conversation. It’s a channel X once dominated but is now slipping behind.

X still dominates in U.S. usage

Despite losing ground globally, X holds the advantage in its home market. In the United States, X had 21.3 million daily active users on September 20 compared to Threads’ 16.2 million.

That lead highlights a cultural divide. While Threads is popular worldwide, X’s American base is still significant and is deeply engaged.

Musk’s ability to maintain influence in the U.S. remains strong, even as Threads grows internationally. For Meta, closing that domestic gap will be crucial in the long term.

X leads heavily on desktop traffic

Threads may be thriving on phones, but X dominates the web. On September 20, X had more than 140 million daily visits to its website, while Threads had just 7.7 million. That’s a massive gulf.

Many professionals and media users still rely on X’s desktop version for work, journalism, and breaking news.

Threads, meanwhile, remains a mobile-first platform with little desktop adoption. Until Meta invests in a robust web experience, X will likely keep that edge.

Users spend more time on X than on Threads

Another advantage Musk’s platform still holds is engagement time. On Android, users spend over four minutes per session on X, nearly double the two minutes spent on Threads.

That means X is still stickier for the people who use it, keeping them scrolling longer. Threads has the user growth momentum, but Meta faces the challenge of keeping people engaged.

The next step isn’t just signing up new users, it’s convincing them to stick around and spend more time.

Meta sees Threads as an ad revenue engine

For Zuckerberg, Threads is more than just a Twitter rival; it’s an advertising opportunity. Analysts at Barclays estimate Threads could generate $2 billion in ad revenue by 2026 and $9 billion by 2027.

Meta is already opening Threads to global advertisers, expanding from early tests in the U.S. and Japan.

Because it attracts high-spending markets like the U.S. and Japan, Threads has considerable monetization potential. That makes it an even bigger threat to X, which has struggled with ad sales.

X continues to lose advertisers

Since Musk’s takeover, X has experienced significant declines in ad revenue. In 2023, global ad revenue dropped more than 50 percent, followed by another dip in 2024.

In the U.K. alone, profits fell 74 percent as advertisers pulled out. While some brands are cautiously returning in 2025, analysts say it’s driven more by political pressure than renewed confidence.

Compared to Threads’ growing appeal, X still faces an uphill battle to restore trust among advertisers who value brand safety.

Instagram integration fuels Threads’ rise

One of Threads’ greatest strengths is its seamless tie to Instagram. With more than 3 billion monthly users on Instagram, Meta can funnel people directly into Threads. Signing up is easy.

Instagram credentials work instantly, and Threads content is promoted inside Instagram feeds. That convenience gives Threads a powerful recruitment tool that X simply can’t match.

As one analyst put it, Meta is siphoning users away from Instagram’s massive base, fueling Threads’ rapid growth and keeping it top of mind for younger audiences.

Threads positions itself as advertiser friendly

Advertisers value platforms that can effectively target their audiences, and Meta has years of experience through Facebook and Instagram.

Threads benefits from that same data and targeting power, making it a safer and more efficient buy for brands. Compared to X, which has struggled with controversial content and unpredictable moderation, Threads looks far more stable.

Analysts say this positioning could push more companies to divert ad dollars away from Musk’s platform and into Zuckerberg’s growing ecosystem.

Musk and Zuckerberg continue their feud

This race isn’t just about apps; it’s personal. The rivalry between Musk and Zuckerberg has stretched back years, from a SpaceX explosion in 2016 to jabs about artificial intelligence.

Their exchanges escalated when Musk challenged Zuckerberg to a cage fight in 2023, which almost came to pass before falling apart. Now, the fight has moved online.

Threads’ success lets Zuckerberg claim an edge in their long-running duel, while Musk tries to downplay Threads as “Instagram minus photos.”

Threads launches into X’s chaos

When Threads debuted in July 2023, X was in turmoil. Musk had rebranded Twitter, altered its verification process, and reduced moderation, sparking an exodus of frustrated users.

Zuckerberg pounced, promising Threads would be an “open and friendly” place for public conversation. Within a day, Threads was downloaded 30 million times.

The timing couldn’t have been better. While Musk threatened legal action, claiming Threads copied trade secrets, Zuckerberg leaned into the chaos and positioned Threads as a calmer alternative.

Threads’ early growth proves sustainable

Skeptics initially thought Threads’ explosive launch would fizzle, but the numbers show otherwise. After hitting 30 million downloads in its first day, Threads steadily built a user base that now exceeds 130 million daily active users.

Unlike earlier “Twitter killers” that burned out, Threads has held its ground and even surpassed X on mobile.

That sustained growth shows Meta’s strategy is working. Rather than being a novelty, Threads has become a legitimate contender in the global conversation space.

X still has cultural influence in the U.S

Even as Threads grows, X remains a dominant cultural force, especially in the U.S. Politicians, celebrities, and news organizations still flock to X for real-time updates.

That influence is hard to replace. Threads is growing faster, but it hasn’t yet become the go-to platform for breaking news or political discourse.

Musk’s challenge is to maintain that relevance while stabilizing his business. Zuckerberg’s challenge is to make Threads feel indispensable, not just like an Instagram extension.

Zuckerberg sees a billion-user goal

Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear: his ambition is for Threads to reach one billion users eventually. He’s said it repeatedly since launch, calling it the next great public discussion platform.

Threads, backed by Instagram’s scale, aims to surpass milestones once held by Twitter. If it continues expanding its user base, enhancing engagement, and attracting advertisers, it could achieve this goal. For Zuckerberg, the competition is not just with Musk but also with history.

As Zuckerberg pushes Threads toward a billion users, Musk is plotting his own moves. X is even preparing to auction inactive names for $10,000.

The fight for the future of conversation continues

Threads passing X in daily mobile users is a milestone, but it’s only one chapter in a long story. X still holds advantages in engagement, U.S. reach, and desktop traffic.

Threads is growing fast, backed by Meta’s resources and Instagram’s ecosystem. Both Musk and Zuckerberg are betting their reputations on these platforms.

For users, it means more choice and more competition. The question is simple but powerful: which platform will define how the world talks next?

As the rivalry intensifies, even minor feature changes can spark debate. See how users are reacting to Threads’ new DMs update.

What do you think about Threads overtaking X in terms of the number of daily users? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Read More From This Brand:

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• Elon Musk’s X faces India’s push to ban 2,000+ accounts, including Reuters
• X Premium Plus users spot surprise ads sparking uproar over hidden changes

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.