06/21/2025
The ultimate timeline of the world's most popular instant messenger apps from 1998 to 2024. We dive deep into the evolution of chat software, starting with the iconic desktop messengers of the late 90s and early 2000s. Rankings are based on monthly active users (MAU) worldwide, focusing on apps where messaging is the core feature. Excluded are video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. Data is sourced from market reports, press releases, and SEC filings.
