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Meta’s text-based platform Threads has crossed a historic milestone, overtaking X (formerly Twitter) in daily active users for the first time, according to Forbes and Similarweb data. This shift, observed between September 15 and September 21, signals that Threads has successfully moved beyond its early hype phase and is now winning the battle for user attention on a daily basis.
Daily active users (DAUs) are a critical metric for social platforms, reflecting habitual engagement rather than occasional visits. For Threads, surpassing X in this metric marks a major validation of its strategy to build a community-driven alternative to Musk’s platform, one that is not just bigger but stickier.
Threads Daily Active Users Are Climbing Fast
Meta announced earlier this year that Threads had crossed 400 million monthly active users, up roughly 50 million since April. The platform has since accelerated growth by rolling out direct messaging, customizable feeds, fediverse support, and a standalone web app that untethers Threads from Instagram.
While X still leads in desktop traffic, Threads is dominating the mobile experience where most users engage. Its tight integration with Instagram also gives Meta a powerful funnel to onboard new users.
Brands and Celebs Already Favor Migration
Threads vs X sounds interesting on paper, but with the recent shift in ground realities, brands should look for a way to migrate. For businesses, creators, and marketers, Threads is quickly becoming a viable alternative for live engagement, campaign launches, and customer interaction.
Industry experts note that Threads’ rapid DAU growth could soon lead to stronger monetization features, better ad targeting, and a more brand-safe environment compared to X.
What Lies Ahead for Threads
Surpassing X in daily users is a major milestone, but sustaining that lead will require continued innovation. Meta will need to refine its recommendation algorithms, expand creator tools, and introduce monetization pathways to keep users coming back.
X, meanwhile, still has an edge in legacy user base and desktop reach, despite their subscription plans not being as fruitful as expected. The rivalry is far from over, but for the first time, Threads is no longer the underdog but a major contender.
