Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, recently announced a significant milestone for his messaging app, declaring that it now boasts over 1 billion monthly active users. This announcement came just days after Durov received temporary permission to leave France amidst ongoing legal issues regarding allegations that Telegram has facilitated organized crime.
Flying from Paris to Dubai, the location of Telegram's headquarters, Durov reported that his platform's growth has been extraordinary, positioning it as the second-most popular messaging app in the world—if one excludes China’s WeChat. This claim follows a list of the most prominent messaging apps published on January 30, 2025, which indicated that WhatsApp leads with 2 billion users, and Facebook’s Messenger ranks next with 979 million users, leaving Telegram trailing with its reported 800 million users.
The rapid increase in user numbers is notable, with estimates suggesting that Telegram has added over 200 million users just within six weeks. Durov points to not only the growth in user numbers but also the engagement level among Telegram users. On average, he claims, each user opens the Telegram app 21 times a day and spends a total of 41 minutes using the app daily.
Further bolstering his claims, Durov stated that Telegram’s financial performance has also seen remarkable improvements, reporting a profit of $547 million in 2024. As Telegram continues to evolve, Durov expressed confidence in its future: "We are just getting started," he concluded in his updates.
However, amidst this celebration of growth, Durov did not shy away from harshly criticizing his main competitor, WhatsApp. In his statement on Telegram, he dismissed WhatsApp as a "cheap, watered-down imitation of Telegram." Durov accused WhatsApp of attempting to replicate Telegram's innovations while spending heavily on lobbying and public relations in a failed effort to stifle Telegram's rise.
His comments mark a stark challenge to WhatsApp’s market position as the leading messaging application. Despite Telegram's impressive growth, Durov's statements could be seen as a rallying point for his user base, encouraging them to embrace the platform that prides itself on its independence and innovation.
As Telegram continues to carve a niche for itself in the competitive messaging app landscape, users and developers alike will be watching closely to see how these dynamics play out. Can Telegram maintain its rapid growth and improve further in user engagement? How will WhatsApp respond to Durov’s pointed criticisms and the challenge posed by Telegram’s expanding user base?
Only time will tell, but Durov remains optimistic. The messaging app market is bustling, and with major players vying for user attention, Telegram is positioning itself to succeed as a profitable alternative that champions privacy and user autonomy.
