The most popular apps in 2026 are a mix of old giants and one fast-rising newcomer. Meta’s apps still reach the most people, TikTok still earns the most money inside its app, and ChatGPT now sits near the top of the download charts. This guide ranks them three ways, by downloads, by users and by revenue, so you can see which app is really No. 1.
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The 10 most popular apps by downloads
First, downloads show which apps people are installing right now. According to AppTweak, these were the most downloaded apps on Google Play and the App Store combined in 2025:
- ChatGPT: 845 million downloads
- Instagram: 762 million
- TikTok: 546 million
- WhatsApp: 541 million
- CapCut: 501 million
- TikTok Lite: 434 million
- Netflix: 416 million
- Facebook: 408 million
- Temu: 390 million
- Snapchat: 387 million
Other trackers count a little differently, though. For example, Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile 2026 report, as covered by 9to5Mac, put TikTok first for 2025 downloads, with ChatGPT second. It also helps to know that AppTweak lists TikTok and TikTok Lite separately. Added together, they pass ChatGPT’s total.
The most popular apps by monthly users
However, downloads only tell part of the story. Many people installed WhatsApp or Facebook years ago, so a better measure of reach is how many people use an app each month. Here are the latest public figures, rounded:
- Facebook: about 3 billion monthly users
- Instagram: 3 billion
- WhatsApp: more than 3 billion
- YouTube: about 2.5 billion (estimate)
- TikTok: more than 1.5 billion (estimate)
- WeChat: 1.44 billion, mainly in China, according to Tencent’s Q2 2026 results
- Telegram: more than 1 billion
- Snapchat: 971 million, according to Snap’s Q2 2026 results
- ChatGPT: 900 million weekly users, as reported by TechCrunch in February 2026
ChatGPT reports weekly rather than monthly users, so its number is not a perfect match for the others. Still, it shows how fast AI apps have joined the giants. For a closer look at the social side, see our ranking of the most used social networking apps. And if you are curious about younger users, our guide to Gen Z apps breaks down what they open first.
Which of the most popular apps is No. 1?
It depends on what you measure, because each ranking tells a different story:
- People reached: WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, each at around 3 billion monthly users.
- Downloads: ChatGPT, according to AppTweak, or TikTok, according to Sensor Tower.
- In-app spending: TikTok.
So if someone asks which app is No. 1, the fairest answer is “it depends”. For sheer reach, however, Meta’s three apps are still in a league of their own.
Which is the richest app?
If “richest” means the app where people spend the most money, TikTok wins. Sensor Tower ranked it first for in-app spending in 2025, with Google One second and ChatGPT third. Overall, people spent $167 billion on in-app purchases across apps and games that year. In fact, for the first time, spending on apps beat spending on games.
However, in-app spending leaves out advertising. Once you count ads, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube earn far more, because ads bring in most of the money for Meta and Google.
Why the rankings keep changing
App rankings shift every year because people’s habits shift. For instance, short video has spread to almost every social app over the past few years, and AI assistants surged in 2025. In fact, Sensor Tower reported that ChatGPT’s downloads grew 148% in 2025, while its in-app revenue grew 254%. Meanwhile, older apps like Facebook keep their place because so many people still rely on them for groups, events and buying and selling. So expect the top ten to look a little different again next year.
Popular apps by category
Each category also has its own leader, so here is who leads each one:
- Social media: Instagram and Facebook
- Messaging: WhatsApp, while WeChat leads in China and LINE in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand
- Short video: TikTok
- AI assistants: ChatGPT
- Video editing: CapCut
- Streaming: Netflix
- Shopping: Temu
- Professional networking: LinkedIn, which says it has more than 1 billion members
What popular apps mean for your career
Popular apps are where people spend their time, so they are also where a lot of networking starts. A comment on Instagram or a reply on LinkedIn can open a door. Even so, most of these apps focus on content, not on meeting the right people.
That is why many professionals add one goal-based app. For example, Kradoz matches you with people by role, industry, goals and interests, and a chat only opens when both of you say yes. If you want to see which apps fit which goals, read our guide to which app is best for networking, or see what apps professionals use every day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most used app in the world?
WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram are tied at the top, each with around 3 billion monthly users. YouTube then follows with about 2.5 billion.
Is ChatGPT more popular than TikTok?
By some download counts, yes, since AppTweak ranked ChatGPT as the most downloaded single app of 2025. However, TikTok still reaches more people each month by most estimates, and it earns more from in-app purchases.
How much do people spend on apps?
A lot. Sensor Tower estimates that people spent $167 billion on in-app purchases in 2025, across apps and games.
Which app do professionals use most?
LinkedIn is still the main professional network. Many professionals also use WhatsApp for work chats, plus a networking app for meeting new people.
The bottom line
The most popular apps in 2026 depend on how you count. Meta’s apps reach the most people, TikTok earns the most inside its app and ChatGPT has become a top download in just a few years. Whatever apps you use, make a little of that screen time count for your career.
