Messenger Rankings: WhatsApp Tops the List with 3 Billion Users

Global Messaging App Popularity

According to НВ — Техно: Messaging platforms have become a daily essential in how people communicate worldwide. According to the latest data, WhatsApp holds the top spot with 3 billion active users. It is followed by WeChat at 1.41 billion, Facebook Messenger at 1.01 billion, and Telegram at 1 billion active users. Snapchat also commands a significant audience with 932 million active users.

It is worth noting that WhatsApp, WeChat, and Messenger are centralized services running on infrastructure owned by Meta or Tencent. In contrast, Telegram-founded by Russian programmer Pavel Durov-relies on its own cloud system, Telegram Cloud. However, end-to-end encryption on Telegram is only available in secret chats, while Signal also operates on a centralized architecture.

Decentralized Messengers and Their Alternatives

Several decentralized messaging alternatives exist, including:

• Matrix, which functions similarly to email with various servers and clients.
• Element, a free, open-source messenger built on Matrix, offering end-to-end encryption for chats and calls.
• XMPP, an open messaging protocol that has been in use since 1999 and is not owned by any company. Snikket is a modern app based on XMPP.
• Session, a decentralized messenger that requires neither a phone number nor an email address, using a decentralized P2P infrastructure and onion routing.
• Briar, which transmits data directly via Tor, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth and blocks screenshots.
• Bitchat, which operates over Bluetooth without internet or SIM cards, creating a local mesh network.

What about the downsides? A 2022 study by cryptographers from Royal Holloway, University of London, and the University of Sheffield uncovered vulnerabilities in Matrix's encryption. Additionally, bugs were found in Element that allowed a server administrator to intercept chat keys. After these vulnerabilities were disclosed, Matrix developers urged users to update immediately. Thus, despite their growing popularity, decentralized messengers still face challenges in ensuring security and user convenience.

The rising popularity of messaging apps-especially decentralized ones-reflects a shift in consumer preferences toward communication tools. Users increasingly seek control over their data and privacy, driving the development of new technologies. However, as research shows, the security of these services remains a critical issue that requires attention from both developers and users.