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The Most Popular Messaging Apps in 2025 – Which One Should You Use?
But have you ever wondered which messaging apps are the most popular? And more importantly, why people choose one app over another?
With so many options available, I decided to break it all down for you.
In this post, we’ll explore the top messaging apps of 2025, ranked by the number of users, downloads, engagement, and even revenue.
Whether you’re looking for a new messaging app or just curious about trends, this guide will help you understand which platforms are dominating the market.
📲 The Top Messaging Apps by Monthly Users
Let’s start with the biggest players in the messaging world. These are the apps with the highest number of monthly active users (MAUs)—meaning they have the most people logging in and using them regularly.
| Messenger App | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2 billion | |
| 1.34 billion | |
| Facebook Messenger | 979 million |
| Telegram | 800 million |
| Snapchat | 750 million |
| 558 million | |
| Line | 178 million |
| Discord | 154 million |
| Zalo | 77.6 million |
| Momo | 66.4 million |
1️⃣ WhatsApp – The Global King of Messaging
WhatsApp continues to be the most-used messaging app in the world with a staggering 2 billion users. That means nearly a quarter of the global population is using WhatsApp to stay connected.
It’s widely popular because it’s easy to use, secure, and free. Plus, WhatsApp supports text, voice, and video calls, making it a go-to platform for personal and business communication.
2️⃣ WeChat – The ‘Everything App’ in China
WeChat isn’t just a messaging app—it’s a super app. With 1.34 billion users, it dominates China’s digital landscape, allowing people to chat, shop, pay bills, play games, and even book doctor appointments—all within one app.
3️⃣ Facebook Messenger – Still Holding Strong
Facebook Messenger remains a major player, especially in North America, with 979 million users. Since it’s integrated with Facebook, it’s a convenient way for people to communicate without needing a separate phone number.
4️⃣ Telegram – The Privacy-Focused Choice
With 800 million users, Telegram has become a favorite for people who prioritize security and privacy. Its end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages make it ideal for private conversations.
5️⃣ Snapchat – More Than Just Filters
Snapchat isn’t just about fun filters—it’s a popular messaging app with 750 million users. People love its disappearing messages and interactive features, making it especially popular among younger audiences.
📥 The Most Downloaded Messaging Apps
Popularity isn’t just about the number of users—it’s also about which apps people are actively downloading the most. Here are the top messaging apps by monthly downloads:
| Messenger App | Monthly Downloads |
|---|---|
| Telegram | 48.36 million |
| 46.38 million | |
| Facebook Messenger | 25.96 million |
| Snapchat | 25.41 million |
| WhatsApp Business | 23.68 million |
Telegram takes the lead in downloads, showing that more and more people are looking for alternatives to mainstream messaging apps.
WhatsApp still performs incredibly well, and if you combine regular WhatsApp with WhatsApp Business, it would actually be in first place. This suggests that businesses are increasingly relying on WhatsApp for customer interactions.
⏳ Where Do People Spend the Most Time?
Not all apps with high user numbers are the most engaging. Some apps keep people glued to their screens for longer periods.
| Messenger App | Average Monthly Time Spent |
|---|---|
| 17 hours, 6 minutes | |
| Line | 8 hours, 14 minutes |
| Telegram | 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| Snapchat | 3 hours, 33 minutes |
| Facebook Messenger | 3 hours, 21 minutes |
WhatsApp users spend an average of 17 hours per month on the app, which is significantly higher than any other platform. This means WhatsApp is not just widely used—it’s also deeply integrated into people’s daily lives.
Line, a messaging app popular in Japan and Thailand, also has strong engagement. While it doesn’t have as many users, those who do use it spend a lot of time on it.
💰 Which Messaging Apps Make the Most Money?
Some apps rely on advertising, while others make money through in-app purchases and premium features. Here’s how much the top messaging apps earn per month:
| Messenger App | In-App Purchase Revenue |
|---|---|
| Snapchat | $24.7 million |
| Line | $12.92 million |
| Telegram | $8.08 million |
| $6.97 million |
Interestingly, WhatsApp, despite being the most-used messaging app, doesn’t make the most money. Instead, Snapchat leads the way with over $24 million per month in in-app purchases.
This suggests that while some apps focus on maximizing users, others focus on monetizing their features effectively.
📊 Messaging Trends & What’s Next?
Looking at the data, here are some key trends shaping the messaging app industry in 2025:
🚀 Privacy-Focused Apps Are Growing – Telegram’s rise in downloads suggests people are seeking more private and secure messaging options.
🌍 Regional Dominance Matters – While WhatsApp dominates globally, apps like WeChat (China), Line (Japan/Thailand), and Zalo (Vietnam) show that local apps can still thrive.
💰 Monetization Is Key – Apps like Snapchat and Line prove that engagement doesn’t just come from high user numbers—it comes from features people are willing to pay for.
📈 Business Messaging Is Booming – WhatsApp Business downloads show that companies are using messaging apps for customer support, marketing, and sales.
Final Thoughts – Which Messaging App Should You Use?
If you’re wondering which app is best for you, it depends on your needs:
✅ For everyday messaging? WhatsApp remains the most widely used and trusted.
✅ For privacy? Telegram’s encryption and secret chat features make it a top pick.
✅ For business? WhatsApp Business is growing fast.
✅ For younger audiences? Snapchat’s interactive features keep users engaged.
At the end of the day, the best messaging app is the one that fits your lifestyle.
Which one do you use the most? Let me know in the comments! 🚀📩
David Jones
Affiliate Marketer
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