Texting apps have become an indispensable part of everyday communication for billions of people around the world. With so many texting apps to choose from, determining the most popular option is an important question. While personal preferences will vary, looking at overall user numbers reveals the current number one texting app worldwide.
The Rise of Texting Apps
The use of texting apps has exploded over the past decade. In 2011, only about 17% of mobile phone users reported using messaging apps. By 2013, that number had jumped to 41% as apps like WhatsApp, LINE, and WeChat gained popularity. Today, an estimated 80-90% of all smartphone users make use of texting apps regularly.
Several factors have driven the success of texting apps:
- No costs – Most texting apps provide free messaging, while cell providers often charge per text.
- Enhanced features – Texting apps offer multimedia messaging, group chats, video calls, stickers, GIFs, and more.
- Cross-platform availability – Apps work across iOS and Android devices.
- Global connectivity – Text and call across borders with an internet connection.
As texting apps removed the limitations of traditional SMS, adoption and daily usage have soared. With so many users across the world now relying on texting apps, determining the most widely used option provides key insights into the messaging app landscape.
Top 5 Texting Apps by Monthly Active Users
The number of monthly active users (MAUs) indicates how many unique users opened a texting app during the month. This metric best captures the overall size of an app’s user base. Here are the top 5 texting apps globally based on MAUs:
| Texting App | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2 billion | |
| Facebook Messenger | 1.3 billion |
| 1.2 billion | |
| QQ Mobile | 731 million |
| Telegram | 550 million |
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, tops the list with a massive base of 2 billion monthly users worldwide. Facebook Messenger and WeChat follow, with QQ Mobile and Telegram rounding out the top 5. All of the leading apps have over 500 million MAUs each.
WhatsApp Dominates as #1
With its unmatched user base of 2 billion MAUs spread across 180 countries, WhatsApp decisively claims the title as the number one texting app globally. WhatsApp’s success stems from several key advantages:
- First mover advantage – WhatsApp pioneered the modern cross-platform messaging app model when it launched in 2009.
- Intuitive interface – Simple, user-friendly design makes it easy for anyone to start messaging.
- Group chat features – Seamless group conversations cement WhatsApp as a communication hub.
- Media sharing capabilities – Users can exchange photos, videos, documents, and voice messages.
- Global reach – Available in over 180 countries and supports 60 languages.
- Minimal barriers to entry – Just need an internet connection and phone number to sign up.
These qualities have made WhatsApp the texting app of choice for users ranging from individual consumers to small businesses and multinational corporations. Its first mover advantage also gives it unmatched global name recognition and brand awareness.
WhatsApp User Statistics
Some additional statistics highlight WhatsApp’s dominance:
- 130+ billion messages sent daily
- Supports sending messages, photos, videos, documents, voice messages and calls
- Used by 90% of internet users in Indonesia, India, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, and dozens more countries
- Processes 100+ million voice calls each day
- Shared over 100 billion photos in 2019 alone
These staggering usage numbers cement WhatsApp’s position as the definitive global leader in texting apps.
Challenges to WhatsApp’s Dominance
Despite WhatsApp’s first mover advantage and massive user base, some threats on the horizon could challenge its dominance:
- Facebook integration – Plans to integrate WhatsApp more deeply with Facebook have sparked privacy concerns.
- Messaging fragmentation – Many users now split usage across multiple messaging apps.
- SMS fallbacks – Carriers now offer enhanced SMS features and RCS messaging.
- Emerging rivals – Apps like Signal and Telegram have seen rapid growth recently.
- Regulatory action – Authorities have targeted Meta/WhatsApp for anticompetitive behavior.
While none of these factors currently endanger WhatsApp’s supremacy, they do represent threats that could slowly erode its user base over time. WhatsApp will need to carefully navigate challenges to maintain its number one position long term.
Potential WhatsApp Response Strategies
To defend against emerging threats, WhatsApp may need to undertake initiatives like:
- Improve privacy controls to ease user concerns
- Develop innovative new messaging features
- Partner with carriers on interoperability
- Fend off regulatory action by demonstrating benefits to consumers
- Continue growth via viral sharing and word-of-mouth
Executing effective countermeasures will be critical for WhatsApp to protect its leadership in the years ahead.
Conclusion
With 2 billion monthly active users spanning nearly every country, WhatsApp stands as the definitive global number one among messaging platforms. Its first mover advantage, intuitive interface, group chat capabilities, media sharing, global reach and minimal barriers to entry have made WhatsApp the texting app of choice for a substantial portion of humanity.
Emerging privacy concerns, messaging fragmentation, enhanced SMS, new competitors, and regulatory action pose challenges to WhatsApp looking forward. However, WhatsApp’s network effects and brand recognition remain formidable advantages. If WhatsApp can proactively address looming threats, its position as the top texting app worldwide appears secure for the foreseeable future.