Meta’s text-based app surges to 350 million users, positioning itself as serious Twitter rival
Meta’s social media platform Threads is experiencing unprecedented growth momentum, surging to over 350 million monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2025, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The text-based platform has emerged as the strongest competitor to X, formerly Twitter, in the microblogging space.
Threads is the fastest-growing platform in 2025 by number of users, more than doubling its user base from 130 million to 320 million users between 2024 and 2025. The platform added 30 million users in the first quarter of this year, compared with 20 million in Q4 2024, demonstrating accelerating growth.
Record-Breaking Launch and Recovery
When Threads launched in July 2023, it gained 2 million signups in 2 hours since its launch and gained over 100 million users in its first five days, breaking the record previously held by ChatGPT. However, the platform faced early challenges with user retention.
Two days after launching, Threads reportedly had 44 million daily active users. But by the end of its first month, there were just 8 million Threads daily active users. The platform lost significant momentum initially, with only 10.3 million daily active Android users by August 7th, 2023.
Sustained Growth Through 2024-2025
Despite early setbacks, Threads has demonstrated remarkable resilience. According to another recent post from Adam Mosseri, Threads has been averaging around a million new sign-ups each day for the last three months, indicating sustained user acquisition.
The platform now boasts 100 million daily active users worldwide as of December 2024, representing a significant recovery from its initial decline. Meta also shared that Threads has seen a 35% increase in time spent on the platform.
Threads Competing with X and Other Platforms
While X claims 600 million monthly active users, Threads is rapidly closing the gap. As of early 2025, it now has over 350 million monthly active users, making it a formidable competitor in the social media landscape.
An analyst at Evercore ISI estimated that Threads could contribute $11.3 billion to Meta’s bottom-line by 2026, highlighting the platform’s significant revenue potential.
Threads User Demographics and Engagement
The platform attracts a diverse user base, with 37% of Threads users are between 18 to 24 years old, whereas 63% of users are above 24 years old. India leads in user adoption, with just under 20% of all Threads downloads have come from India, followed by the United States and Brazil.
Platform Features and Expanded Access
In a significant policy update in May 2025, Threads removed the Instagram account requirement for new users. Users can now sign up directly with their email address or phone number, instead of needing an Instagram account as previously required. This change potentially means broader access to Threads and distinguishes data collection between Instagram and Threads.
The platform allows users to share text posts up to 500 characters, along with photos and videos up to five minutes long. Threads expands its media limits: add up to 20 videos or photos to a post, providing users with enhanced content creation capabilities.
The platform has also improved its functionality, with Meta acquires Threads.com, making it easier for users to find the platform on desktop by transitioning from the original threads.net URL.
Industry Impact
Threads is still evolving, but it’s quickly become a space for creators, founders, and brands to build connections through short-form content without pressure. The platform’s growth comes at a time when users are seeking alternatives to X, particularly following changes in ownership and platform policies.
The competition between Threads and X highlights the evolving landscape of social media platforms, with users and brands exploring multiple avenues to connect and communicate.
As Threads continues its upward trajectory, it positions itself as a significant player in the social media ecosystem, offering users and brands an alternative platform for real-time conversations and community building.
Confused by Threads? Julie can be reached at juliedaloiso@gmail.com