Threads wins over mobile users and leaves X behind

This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.

Make Apfelpatient a preferred source One click – and you'll see us more often on Google

Threads has reached a crucial point in the social networking competition. In terms of daily mobile usage, the platform now surpasses X, formerly known as Twitter. Current market data reveals the significant shift in usage to smartphones and highlights the differences between mobile and web.

Since Threads' launch, there has been close monitoring to see if the service can maintain its position alongside X in the long term. For a long time, the focus was primarily on registration numbers and short-term fluctuations. Now, reliable usage data is the focus. This provides a clearer picture of how intensively Threads is actually used and how its relationship with X is developing.

Threads surpasses X in mobile usage

According to market research firm Similarweb, whose findings were cited by TechCrunch, among others, Threads had approximately 141.5 million daily active users worldwide on iOS and Android as of January 7, 2026. During the same period, X had approximately 125 million daily active mobile users.

This puts Threads ahead of its direct competitor in mobile usage worldwide for the first time. Crucially, this lead wasn't achieved through a single, strong growth spurt. Instead, the data shows consistent, steady growth over several months.

Time of the turning point

According to Similarweb, Threads overtook X on mobile devices between late October and early November 2025. There wasn't a clear peak with a sudden surge, but rather a longer period of steady growth. This development suggests that users are not just trying out Threads, but using the app regularly.

Developments in the USA

In the US, X still leads Threads in mobile usage. Nevertheless, the figures there also show a significant shift. Similarweb estimates that the number of daily active mobile users of X in the US has fallen to about half of the previous year's figure. Threads continues to gain users in this market and is gradually catching up, even if the gap hasn't completely closed yet.

X has a clear lead in web usage

Despite Threads' success on mobile devices, X remains significantly stronger on the web. On January 13, 2026, X reached an estimated 145.4 million daily web visitors. Threads, in contrast, only reached approximately 8.5 million daily web visitors during the same period.

These figures clearly show that Threads is currently heavily focused on mobile use. X, on the other hand, continues to firmly maintain its position on desktop and in the browser.

Overall comparison across all platforms

When mobile and web usage are combined, X still holds a clear lead. According to Similarweb, X boasts over 270 million daily users across all platforms. Threads, in comparison, reaches approximately 150 million daily users.

The gap remains significant when all access methods are considered. At the same time, Threads' mobile lead demonstrates how important smartphones have become for the daily use of social networks.

The competition between Threads and X in detail

The current data paints a more nuanced picture. Threads has overtaken X in global mobile usage and is extending this lead with continued growth. X, on the other hand, remains clearly in the lead in web usage and continues to hold the top spot overall. How this ratio develops depends primarily on whether Threads can maintain its strength on mobile devices while simultaneously catching up in web access. Threads users who are interested in current developments surrounding Apple and digital platforms can also find our channel there, featuring regular updates and analysis. (Image: Shutterstock / Diego Thomazini)