Meta’s Threads app has soared past 400 million monthly active users, marking a major milestone in its two-year bid to rival Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter.
Instagram head, Adam Mosseri announced the figure in a post on August 12, 2025, revealing a sharp climb from 350 million users in April.
The growth, he said, underscores Threads’ rapid expansion as Meta leans on Instagram’s massive ecosystem to drive adoption through seamless cross-posting and built-in user discovery tools.
Since its July 2023 launch, Threads has capitalized on discontent with X following Musk’s acquisition, attracting millions seeking an alternative to the platform’s shifting algorithms and often toxic discourse.
According to TechCrunch, the app gained roughly 50 million users in the last quarter alone, far outpacing many rivals.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently told investors that Threads has the potential to reach a billion users, matching Instagram’s scale.
New features such as improved search, customizable feeds, and smarter algorithmic recommendations have helped fuel momentum, while the platform’s emphasis on “positive interactions” has resonated with those turned off by the combative tone on X.
Threads’ daily engagement is also closing the gap. Data from Sensor Tower, cited by TechCrunch, shows 115 million daily active users on mobile, a 128% year-over-year surge, approaching X’s estimated 250 million daily users.
X, however, still claims a larger overall reach, reporting over 600 million monthly active users and 550 million monthly visitors.
Analysts point to Threads’ seamless integration with Instagram’s 2 billion-plus users as its competitive edge, allowing instant audience growth without starting from scratch.
On X, reactions have been mixed, with some users hailing Threads’ rise as evidence of X’s vulnerabilities, while others note X’s continuing dominance in real-time news and global reach.
Monetization and international expansion remain Threads’ biggest challenges. While Meta has begun testing ads, it still trails X’s mature revenue model. Yet, industry observers say the app’s steady climb—and growing appeal among younger users—makes it a formidable contender.
A recent eMarketer report predicts competition will only intensify, particularly if Meta rolls out federated features or deeper AI integrations.
With its current trajectory, Threads could soon outpace X in key demographics, cementing its place as a central player in the text-based social media space.
