TikTok beats Facebook, becomes the world’s most downloaded app; Whatsapp in 3rd spot

Facebook is facing challenges from Chinese apps like TikTok. The short videos app has taken over Facebook in terms of the number of downloads. TikTok is now the world’s most downloaded app worldwide. It is the first time that a Chinese app has topped the charts since the study was first conducted in 2018. On the other hand, amidst privacy concerns, WhatsApp has stayed in the top three of the rankings.

As per a report by Nikkei Asia, TikTok is now the world’s most downloaded app. To recall, ByteDance launched the international version of TikTok in 2017, and within four years, the app has overtaken Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and more. Furthermore, Facebook Messenger ranked first in 2019. It has now slipped to the fifth position.

Interestingly, all apps from the 2nd to 5th positions are owned by Facebook. TikTok is followed by Facebook. WhatsApp is ranked number three, and Instagram is at number four, followed by Facebook Messenger. After the Facebook-owned apps, you’ll see Snapchat at number six, which is followed by Telegram and Likee. Twitter has managed to be in the top ten but is below Pinterest at the bottom of the list.

Amidst privacy concerns from the US where some believe that personal information shared with TikTok is not secure, the short videos app hasn’t seen a downfall. To recall, in 2020, former President Donald Trump called on the company to sell off its US operations or be banned. Nevertheless, TikTok’s popularity grew in the pandemic, and it became the leading download in Europe, South America and the US.

Furthermore, China's Likee, a TikTok competitor has also managed to grab a spot in the top 10 rankings for the world’s most downloaded apps. It is ranked eighth in the latest global download league. Discord, an app popular among gamers for chatting when online, has also benefited from the pandemic. The app has moved up to seventh place in the US.