Imagine a world without instant messaging apps. It’s hard, right? These apps have seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, becoming a necessity for many.
Their prominence has surged in recent years, with over 3 billion people now using messaging apps on a regular basis, and this trend shows no signs of slowing.
But the question is: which app should you choose to have better communication in this diverse digital marketplace?
This article will delve into the most popular messaging apps of 2025.
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Popular Messaging Apps: How Many People Use Them?
As of 2025, the total number of people using this type of communication channel has surpassed the astounding figure of 5 billion.
This figure includes a wide range of platforms, from well-known ones such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and Telegram to more regionally specific apps that cater to different cultural and linguistic preferences.
Below is a summary of the most popular messaging apps with active monthly users:
| Rank | Messaging Platform | Active Monthly Users |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2.4 billion | |
| 2. | 2 billion | |
| 3. | 1.3 billion | |
| 4. | Facebook Messenger | 1.01 billion |
| 5. | Telegram | 900 million |
| 6. | Viber | 260 million |
| 7. | Discord | 150 million |
7 Most Popular Messaging Apps Globally
The 7 most popular instant messaging platforms across the globe are:
1. WhatsApp
With more than 2.5 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app across the globe. This Facebook-owned platform has a simple user interface and provides end-to-end encryption for secure communication across multiple devices.
WhatsApp has been the only free messaging app, connecting Android and iPhone users.
Below is an outline of WhatsApp downloads from the Google Play Store globally in 2025 (in millions)
As of the first quarter of 2025, WhatsApp experienced significant growth in its global downloads. Indian users contributed approximately 8.5 million downloads via the Google Play Store, while Indonesia followed with about 3.7 million downloads. Globally, WhatsApp achieved a total of 46.38 million downloads during this period, positioning it as the second most downloaded messaging app, just behind Telegram.
WhatsApp continues to offer secure messaging, voice, and video calling services. Recent updates have introduced features such as disappearing messages, which can be set to delete after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days, and enhanced end-to-end encrypted group chats, providing users with greater control over their communications.
WhatsApp has implemented an “Advanced Chat Privacy” feature, allowing users to prevent chat exports, disable auto-downloads of media, and restrict the use of messages in AI tools. This feature adds an extra layer of privacy, especially in sensitive conversations.
: How To Create Whatsapp Business Account?2. WeChat
While predominantly used in China, WeChat boasts over 1.2 billion monthly active users globally.
Apart from messaging, it offers a wide array of services, including mobile payments, social networking, and even gaming, making it a super-app in its own right.
Leading Countries for WeChat App Downloads:
| Country | WeChat App Downloads (in Millions) |
|---|---|
| China | 66.31 |
| United States | 2.08 |
| Indonesia | 2.07 |
| Vietnam | 1.78 |
| Malaysia | 1.37 |
| Taiwan | 1.07 |
| Thailand | 0.99 |
| Phillipines | 0.91 |
| Russian Federation | 0.9 |
| Hongkong | 0.75 |
China has the highest number of downloads, accounting for 66 million. Moreover, WeChat has managed to acquire a sustainable user base in the US, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
3. Facebook Messenger
Messenger could be the greatest social messaging app for you if the Asian market is important to your business, especially India. Messenger has a large user base in India, with almost 378 million users.
But that is not to say that big brands can’t profit; over 1.3 billion people use Messenger to maintain friendships and relationships, communicate with their families, and manage their companies worldwide.
Below are the lists of countries that have large Facebook messenger users (in millions)
India leads the world in terms of Facebook audience size, with over 378 million users in that country alone.
Other than India, the US, Indonesia, and Brazil have 193.8 million, 119.05 million, and 112.55 million Facebook users, respectively, making them the three markets with more than 100 million users each.
: How to Manage Multiple Facebook Accounts?4. Telegram
As of March 2025, Telegram has surpassed 1 billion monthly active users, marking a significant milestone in its growth. India remains Telegram’s largest market, with over 450 million users, accounting for approximately 45% of its global user base. In the United States, Telegram’s user base is relatively modest, with approximately 50 million users, representing about 5% of its total global user base.
Telegram continues to offer free instant messaging, voice, and video calling services, distinguishing itself with features such as hidden chats, self-destructing messages, and a vast array of stickers, catering to diverse communication preferences.
Its secret chat feature, along with robust encryption protocols, appeals to users seeking enhanced privacy in their communications.
The app is available in over 190 countries, supporting a wide range of languages and platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Here’s a table of Telegram users by country as of 2025:
| Country | Telegram Users |
|---|---|
| India | 104.04 million |
| Russia | 34.40 million |
| Indonesia | 27.21 million |
| United States | 26.85 million |
| Brazil | 21.94 million |
| Egypt | 14.85 million |
- Telegram receives approximately 49.41 million unique visitors per month.
- Telegram currently has over 900 million active users.
- The platform has an average of 318 million monthly visits globally.
5. Viber
As of 2025, Viber has 230 million monthly active users, with strong popularity in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, especially in Ukraine, where it holds over 97% market share.
While WhatsApp leads globally with 2 billion users, Viber’s user base is smaller, with around 50 million users in the U.S. Viber offers free messaging, voice, and video calls, along with unique features like hidden chats and self-destructing messages. The app is available in over 190 countries and on multiple platforms.
According to MixPanel, Viber has over 260 million monthly users across the globe.
Here’s a breakdown of the percentage of Viber downloads in different countries.
| Country | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Russia | 21.24% |
| Ukraine | 20.19% |
| Belarus | 7.23% |
| Philippines | 5.85% |
| Greece | 4.55% |
| Others | 40.94% |
6. Tencent QQ
QQ is a highly popular messaging and social platform in China, boasting around 554 million monthly active users as of 2025. Initially launched as an instant messaging service, QQ has evolved to include a wide array of features, including social networking, gaming, and multimedia sharing. Its versatility has made it an integral tool for both personal communication and business marketing in China.
QQ stands out for its robust ecosystem, allowing users to share files, engage in video and voice calls, and connect with friends through various channels. With its widespread use in China, QQ remains a key player in the Chinese digital landscape.
Businesses targeting Chinese audiences often use QQ to engage with customers, thanks to its high user engagement and broad appeal across all age groups.
QQ users span a wide age range, from young teenagers to older adults, reflecting its widespread use across various life stages in China. Whether for messaging, gaming, or entertainment, QQ provides an all-in-one platform for staying connected in the digital world.
7. Discord
Initially designed for gamers, Discord has expanded its user base to include communities, businesses, and educators, with over 200+ million monthly users worldwide.
Its text, voice, and video communication channels, along with features like screen sharing and custom emojis, make it a versatile platform for collaborative work and social media platform interaction.
As of 2025, Discord remains most popular in the United States, making up around 30% of its global user base, followed by Brazil at 4.4%. The United Kingdom and Canada each contribute about 4%, with India also showing strong engagement.
However, Discord is banned in China due to strict government internet censorship. Despite this, some users in China access the platform via VPNs, though restrictions on VPN use are increasing.
| Countries | Users (%) |
|---|---|
| USA | 27% |
| Brazil | 12.8 % |
| Russia | 4.4 % |
| India | 4.24 % |
| United Kingdom | 3.85 % |
How Many People Use Messaging Apps?
According to the latest report, more than 3 billion people actively use messaging apps worldwide on a monthly basis.
Try ControlHippo – Omnichannel Messaging Platform
As technology advances and user preferences evolve, the popularity of popular chat apps will continue to soar, shaping the way we interact and communicate in the years to come.
Try ControlHippo, an omnichannel messaging platform that streamlines and improves your business interactions. Integrate your multiple communication channels, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social media platforms, and streamline your communication with clients to give them a personalized experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
WhatsApp is the only messaging apps among others, which has over 2.5 billion users worldwide.
The best free messaging app varies depending on individual preferences and requirements. Some popular choices include WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.
While WhatsApp enjoys global popularity, Americans often use alternatives such as Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and SMS for messaging purposes.
Updated : June 11, 2025
Dharmik Joshi is a dedicated content writer with a focus on business communication solutions and omnichannel communication platforms. His strength lies in simplifying complex concepts and crafting engaging narratives that appeal to a broad audience. Dharmik’s passion for clear communication makes him a trusted voice in the communication technology space.