A new report from market analysis firm Similarweb highlights a significant shift in the social media landscape. According to the data, Meta’s Threads has now surpassed Elon Musk’s X (in terms of daily users) on mobile devices, signaling a potential shift in habits for millions of users worldwide.
While X still maintains a strong presence on the web, Threads seems to be gaining ground where most social media content is consumed today: on smartphones.
The numbers that change the data
According to Similarweb, Threads reached 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android as of January 7, 2026, following a long period of steady growth. At the same time, X saw around 125 million daily active users on mobile.
See also: Threads wants to become your favorite app
This difference did not emerge suddenly. Rather, it is the result of long-term trends and systematic development, which reinforces the view that Threads is not just an alternative, but a platform that is actively claiming the leading role.
It's not just the "drama" of X that's to blame
While X has recently been at the center of intense backlash, largely due to the abuse of Grok to create non-consensual deepfake images, the data shows that Threads' rise is not simply a reaction to these developments.
However, concerns about AI being used in harmful ways have led the California to launch a formal investigation into Grok, and similar investigations are underway in places like the United Kingdom, the European Union, India and Brazil. However, analysts believe Threads' success has deeper roots.
Why Threads wins on mobile
Meta has leveraged its ecosystem to promote Threads. Cross- promotions across Facebook and Instagram – where Threads is frequently featured in recommended content – have been instrumental in driving usage.
See also: Threads now has a better word filter than Instagram
At the same time, the platform has invested heavily in content creators and rapidly adding new features. Within a year, Threads integrated interest-based communities, advanced filters, direct messages (DMs), large-format text, disappearing posts, and, most recently, tested games.
These changes transform Threads from a simple microblogging tool into a more comprehensive social networking experience.
Daily habit makes the difference
The increase in daily active users suggests something more substantial than simple signups: more and more users are opening Threads daily from their mobile, integrating it into their digital routine.
According to official Meta data, Threads surpassed 400 million monthly active users in August 2025, while in October it had reached 150 million daily active users. The upward trend has continued uninterrupted for months.
The web remains a stronghold of X
Despite Threads' success on mobile, X still maintains a clear lead in web usage. According to Similarweb, X records about 150 million visits web 8.5 million for Threads.com and Threads.net combined.
See also: Threads: Dashboard better explains post restrictions
On January 13, X recorded 145.4 million daily web visits, proving that it remains strong among professional, journalistic and political audiences.
What does this mean for the future of social media?
The picture that emerges shows a fragmented landscape, where different platforms dominate different environments. Threads appears to be winning the battle for everyday, mobile-first consumption, while X maintains its role as a key hub for public discourse on the web.
Whether this balance will be maintained or whether Threads will attempt to strengthen its online presence remains to be seen in the coming months.
