Threads vs X: Can Meta's Rising Star Dethrone Elon Musk’s Platform?
The rivalry between Threads and X (formerly Twitter) has reached a turning point in 2025. With the recent departure of X CEO Linda Yaccarino and a sharp dip in daily active users, the Elon Musk-owned social media giant is facing unprecedented pressure. Meanwhile, Meta’s Threads is rapidly gaining momentum—boasting massive year-over-year growth and leveraging its ties to Facebook and Instagram to funnel in users. If you’ve been asking, “Is Threads better than X?” or “Why is Threads growing faster?”, this breakdown will answer those questions and more. As of June 2025, the battle of Threads vs X is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating tech stories of the year.
Image Credits:Matt Cardy/ Getty Images
Threads vs X: Daily Usage Trends in 2025
Recent data paints a compelling picture of how usage trends have shifted between Threads and X. According to Sensor Tower, X has seen a 10% year-over-year decline in daily active users in Q2 2025. Despite still having a 65% larger user base than Threads, the platform is losing momentum. Threads, in contrast, has surged ahead with over 127.8% growth, reaching 115.1 million daily active users across iOS and Android. While X maintained 132 million daily users, this number reflects a concerning 15.2% decline from the previous year.
These trends are even more stark when viewed in context: Threads is steadily closing the mobile usage gap, an important battleground in today’s app-first world. While X maintains a stronger web presence, its lead on mobile devices is narrowing—and that’s where future growth lies. The Threads vs X battle is no longer just about size; it’s about momentum.
User Engagement: Threads Is Catching Up, But X Still Leads
When it comes to daily engagement, X still has the upper hand. In Q2 2025, users spent an average of 31 minutes per day on X—nearly four times longer than the 8 minutes per day logged by Threads users. Moreover, 48% of X’s global monthly app users interact with the app daily, compared to just 33% on Threads. These numbers suggest that while Threads is rapidly gaining users, X retains a loyal, deeply engaged core audience.
However, engagement alone may not guarantee long-term dominance. Threads is expanding its feature set quickly and introducing new ways for users to interact, aiming to boost stickiness. As Meta refines its user experience and builds on its Instagram-integrated login system, Threads may start to close the engagement gap—especially as X’s leadership transition could disrupt product innovation and user trust. For now, though, X continues to lead in average user time spent.
Threads vs X: Meta’s Strategic Growth Plan
Threads isn’t growing by accident—it’s the result of an aggressive and coordinated strategy by Meta. The app is deeply integrated into Meta’s broader ecosystem, which includes Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. This gives Threads an unparalleled advantage in user acquisition and cross-platform promotion. In fact, Meta’s ability to funnel users into Threads via Instagram alone has been a significant driver of its growth.
In terms of monetization, Threads is also making bold moves. In April 2025, Meta opened up Threads ads globally and began testing video ads the following month. Unlike X, which has struggled with advertiser trust under Musk’s leadership, Threads benefits from Meta’s seasoned ad infrastructure and long-standing relationships with marketers. As Threads’ ad tools grow more sophisticated, its revenue-generating potential becomes far more attractive. With Meta’s nearly 20 years of experience in optimizing digital advertising, Threads is poised to scale faster and more sustainably than its rival.
The Road Ahead: Can Threads Overtake X?
Although X remains larger, its decline in user growth and executive instability cast doubt on its future. Linda Yaccarino’s exit signals possible turmoil at the top, and competitors are circling. Open-source platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon are also gaining niche traction, but Threads stands out as the most formidable challenger due to its rapid growth and Meta’s strategic backing.
The ultimate question in the Threads vs X rivalry is not just who is winning today—but who is best positioned for the future. Threads’ growth trajectory, feature innovation, and integration with Meta’s existing platforms suggest it has the momentum. X, on the other hand, must address internal leadership issues, reverse its decline in daily users, and improve advertiser confidence if it wants to maintain its lead.
As we move into the latter half of 2025, users and marketers alike will be watching closely to see whether Threads can transform from a fast-growing upstart into the dominant text-first social platform, or if X can regain its footing and defend its crown.
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