New usage data from Similarweb indicates a shift in how people are using major social platforms on mobile devices. According to the firm’s latest estimates, Threads has surpassed X in daily active users on iOS and Android, marking a notable milestone in the ongoing competition between the two services.
As of January 7, 2026, Threads recorded roughly 141.5 million daily active users across mobile platforms, compared with about 125 million for X. The figures reflect steady growth for Threads over several months rather than a short-term spike. X, meanwhile, continues to hold an advantage on the web, where its daily visits remain significantly higher than Threads’ relatively limited browser-based usage.
The timing of the shift coincides with renewed scrutiny of X following controversies linked to its integrated AI assistant, Grok. Users were found using the tool to generate non-consensual nude images, including content involving minors. These incidents have prompted investigations into Grok by multiple regulators, including the California Attorney General, as well as authorities in the UK, EU, India, and Brazil. While these developments have added pressure to X, Similarweb’s data suggests that Threads’ growth is better explained by longer-term platform dynamics rather than a direct response to recent events.
One factor supporting Threads’ rise is its integration into the broader Meta ecosystem. Cross-promotion within Facebook and Instagram has provided Threads with ongoing visibility among existing users, reducing friction for adoption. Meta has also leaned into creator-focused tools and a faster cadence of feature updates. Over the past year, Threads has expanded beyond its initial text-only format, adding interest-based communities, direct messages, longer posts, disappearing content, and more advanced filtering options. The platform has also been seen testing lightweight games, signaling continued experimentation around engagement.
These additions appear to be contributing to more habitual use on mobile, even as Threads remains less relevant as a web destination. Similarweb estimates that X still attracts around 150 million daily web visits globally, compared with fewer than 10 million combined daily visits to Threads’ web domains. This gap highlights how differently the two platforms are currently being used, with Threads leaning heavily on mobile-first behavior.
Meta’s own disclosures provide additional context. The company reported in mid-2025 that Threads had surpassed 400 million monthly active users, and later confirmed daily usage of around 150 million. While those figures are broader than Similarweb’s mobile-only estimates, they suggest that Threads’ overall growth trajectory has been sustained rather than episodic.
At the same time, alternative platforms have benefited from turbulence elsewhere. Bluesky, for example, has seen a recent increase in app installs, reflecting continued fragmentation in the social media landscape. For now, the data points to a gradual reshaping of user habits, with Threads establishing itself as a regular mobile destination while X retains its strength on the open web.
