The Battle for Daily Users: Threads vs. X
Threads and X are locked in a fierce competition, both aiming to dominate the realm of short messaging and public discourse. Recent data indicates that on mobile platforms, Threads has significantly narrowed the gap in daily active users, sometimes even surpassing X. However, the larger narrative surrounding public conversations remains largely unchanged, with most significant discussions continuing to emerge from X.
Current User Metrics
According to Similarweb, a prominent analytics firm, Threads and X are nearing 130 million daily active users globally. Notably, there were days in September 2025 when Threads outperformed X in user engagement. Despite these instances of temporary leadership, the overall trend points to a tightly contested environment rather than any solidified supremacy.
Daily active users on iOS and Android. Threads approaches X on mobile phones globally | Source: Similarweb
Understanding User Engagement
It’s crucial to dive deeper into what these metrics represent. Similarweb’s analysis measures daily active users on iOS and Android, treating each person as unique for a single day, even if they open the app multiple times. Importantly, users only need to engage minimally—such as opening the app—to be counted as active. While this provides insights into access habits, it lacks clarity on user interactions, the nature of the accounts active, and the content that gains traction beyond the platforms themselves.
Web Traffic Insights
Daily web traffic on a global scale. X maintains a significant advantage over Threads in browser visits | Source: Similarweb
However, when analyzing web traffic, X emerges with a substantial lead over Threads. This metric is crucial as web engagement often correlates with more professional setups, such as newsrooms and real-time journalism. The variation in metrics can shift the narrative entirely, highlighting that user numbers don’t always translate to influence or prominence.
The Role of Information Consumption
The way in which individuals consume information on these platforms is pivotal. Reports, such as those from the Digital News Report 2025, emphasize that while user base size is important, function within the media landscape holds more weight. X serves as a “passive sensor,” effectively tracking opinion leaders and facilitating real-time public discourse. Such structural advantages make X a more valuable tool for media professionals.
Threads: Growth Through Integration
Threads’ growth can be attributed partly to its seamless integration with Instagram and the broader Meta ecosystem. This relationship significantly lowers entry barriers, enabling users from other Meta platforms to experiment with Threads effortlessly. While this drives mobile usage upward, it does not automatically translate to Threads becoming a primary platform for meaningful discourse or the replication of X’s information-sharing dynamics.
Conclusion: The Stability of X
Despite ongoing changes and the rise of Threads, X remains an unshakable player in the informational sphere. Even high-profile controversies surrounding its ownership have not decisively impacted its role. For Threads to carve out a new niche, it will require a significant restructuring of habits in professional and political circles, something that has yet to be observed.
Images | Mohamed Nohassi | Kelly Sikkema