Threads overtakes X on mobile, but still lags far behind | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Threads overtakes X on mobile, but still lags far behindComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMetaCloseMetaPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MetaThreads overtakes X on mobile, but still lags far behindElon Musk’s platform still dominates for daily web visits.Elon Musk’s platform still dominates for daily web visits.by Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedJan 19, 2026, 11:53 AM UTCLinkShareGiftIllustration: The VergeJess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.After launching almost three years ago, Meta’s Threads is now reportedly attracting more daily mobile users than rival platform X. According to Similarweb data shared by TechCrunch, Threads has 141.5 million daily active iOS and Android global app users as of January 7th, compared to 125 million users for Elon Musk’s mobile platform.Similarweb reports that Threads actually overtook X sometime between late October and early November after a consistent period of growth, meaning this milestone wasn’t suddenly achieved in reaction to recent Grok-related controversies. X still has more mobile users than Threads in the US, according to Similarweb, but notes that Threads is catching up, and that X has half as many daily active mobile users in the US now as it did last year.Web traffic is another story, however. As of January 13th, X was attracting 145.4 million daily web visitors, compared to just 8.5 million on Threads. Meta may have won the mobile battle, according to these new estimates, but with only 150 million daily users combined, it has an uphill struggle to catch up with X’s more than 270 million.PreviousNext1/2X has seen a steady slump in daily mobile traffic compared to Threads… Image: Similarweb via TechCrunchFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedMetaCloseMetaPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MetaNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechThreadsCloseThreadsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ThreadsTwitter - XCloseTwitter - XPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Twitter - XMost PopularMost PopularDisney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the repliesWhy Coinbase derailed the crypto industry’s political futureUnder Musk, the Grok disaster was inevitableThe LG C5 and Apple’s M4 Mac Mini are both steeply discounted this weekendHere are the 10 deals worth grabbing from Best Buy’s winter sales eventThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in NewsKaoss Pad V is the first major upgrade to Korg’s touch-based effects in 13 yearsDisney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the repliesThe Setapp Mobile iOS store is shutting down on February 16thGoogle is appealing a judge’s search monopoly rulingTrump and Mid-Atlantic governors want tech companies to pay for new power plantsFortnite blocks creators from selling prize wheel spinsKaoss Pad V is the first major upgrade to Korg’s touch-based effects in 13 yearsTerrence O'BrienJan 18Disney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the repliesTerrence O'BrienJan 17The Setapp Mobile iOS store is shutting down on February 16thTerrence O'BrienJan 17Google is appealing a judge’s search monopoly rulingLauren FeinerJan 16Trump and Mid-Atlantic governors want tech companies to pay for new power plantsJustine CalmaJan 16Fortnite blocks creators from selling prize wheel spinsJay PetersJan 16Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop StoriesJan 18Under Musk, the Grok disaster was inevitableJan 16How to fireproof a cityJan 18Why Coinbase derailed the crypto industry’s political futureJan 17Minnesota wants to win a war of attritionJan 17All You Need Is Kill is a dazzling movie with the soul of a video gameJan 17Fear and blogging (and prerelease laptop testing) in Las VegasThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie PolicyLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform Status© 2026 Vox Media, LLC. 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Jess Weatherbed’s report for The Verge highlights a significant shift in the social media landscape, noting that Meta’s Threads has surpassed Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) in daily mobile user counts, according to Similarweb data. As of January 7, 2026, Threads reported 141.5 million daily active iOS and Android users globally, outpacing X’s 125 million. This milestone, achieved between late October and early November, reflects a sustained growth trajectory rather than a sudden surge tied to recent controversies surrounding X’s AI-powered chatbot, Grok. Despite this victory in mobile engagement, Threads faces an uphill battle to match X’s broader reach, as web traffic remains heavily skewed toward the latter. On January 13, X attracted 145.4 million daily web visitors compared to just 8.5 million on Threads, underscoring a stark disparity in overall user base. While X’s mobile traffic has declined significantly—halving since last year in the U.S.—the platform still holds a dominant position in web-based interactions. Threads’ growth, however, signals a potential long-term challenge to X’s supremacy, particularly as the latter grapples with its ongoing struggles. The data also reveals that X maintains a stronger presence in the U.S. market, where it continues to outpace Threads in mobile users despite a broader decline in daily active users. For Meta, the success of Threads represents a critical step in its efforts to reassert itself as a major player in social media, though the platform’s combined daily user base of 150 million pales in comparison to X’s more than 270 million. Weatherbed’s analysis underscores the complex dynamics of platform competition, where mobile adoption and web traffic serve as distinct metrics that reflect different facets of user engagement. The report also hints at the broader implications for social media ecosystems, as platforms like Threads and X navigate evolving user preferences, technological advancements, and regulatory pressures. While Threads’ growth is a notable achievement, the article suggests that X’s entrenched position—particularly its dominance in web traffic and U.S. market share—remains a formidable obstacle for Meta’s new venture. The data from Similarweb, cited throughout the piece, provides a quantitative lens through which these trends can be evaluated, though it also highlights the limitations of relying solely on mobile metrics to gauge a platform’s overall influence. As both platforms continue to evolve, the article implies that their competition will remain a focal point in the ongoing debate over digital engagement, content moderation, and the future of social media. Weatherbed’s reporting contextualizes these developments within a broader narrative of technological disruption and market realignment, offering readers a snapshot of the shifting dynamics in one of the most scrutinized sectors of the tech industry. The piece also touches on the broader challenges faced by X, including its declining user base and the impact of Musk’s leadership style on its long-term viability. For Meta, Threads’ success could signify a strategic pivot toward mobile-first strategies, but the platform’s ability to sustain growth and convert mobile users into a more cohesive community remains an open question. The article ultimately portrays a landscape in flux, where traditional powerhouses like X must contend with emerging competitors while newer platforms strive to carve out their own niches. The findings from Similarweb, while indicative of current trends, also raise questions about the reliability of such metrics in capturing the full spectrum of user behavior, particularly as platforms increasingly blur the lines between mobile and web experiences. Weatherbed’s work serves as a timely reminder of the rapidly changing nature of digital ecosystems, where even incremental gains can have significant implications for market share and user retention. The report’s focus on quantitative data provides a clear framework for understanding these shifts, but it also leaves room for further exploration into the qualitative factors that drive user engagement and platform loyalty. As both Threads and X continue to refine their offerings, the article suggests that the battle for dominance in social media is far from over, with each platform navigating its own set of challenges and opportunities. The piece ultimately positions Threads’ growth as a promising but incomplete milestone, emphasizing that sustained success will depend on more than just mobile user counts. Instead, the article implies that platforms must address deeper issues related to content quality, community standards, and technological innovation to secure long-term relevance in an increasingly competitive market. Weatherbed’s analysis, informed by specific data points and contextualized within broader industry trends, offers a nuanced perspective on the evolving social media landscape, highlighting both the progress and the persistent hurdles faced by emerging platforms. The report’s emphasis on measurable metrics underscores the importance of tracking user behavior across multiple dimensions, while also acknowledging the limitations of relying on any single data source to fully capture a platform’s impact. As the digital space continues to evolve, the article suggests that the interplay between mobile and web traffic will remain a critical factor in determining the trajectory of social media platforms.