Barcelona, June 30, 2025 – In celebration of World Social Media Day, Softonic has released its biannual ranking of the most downloaded apps worldwide. The key finding is that TikTok has become the most downloaded app on Softonic in the first half of 2025, dethroning WhatsApp after years of dominance and highlighting a profound shift in how people engage digitally.

Global ranking of most downloaded apps on Softonic (January–June 2025)

Compared to the same period in 2024, the decline in downloads of apps like WhatsApp (–54%), Zoom (–67%), and Instagram (–29%) contrasts sharply with TikTok’s remarkable growth (+163%).

This shift suggests a broader behavioural change: users are no longer prioritising communication alone, but rather a complete digital experience, encompassing entertainment, discovery, and expression.

TikTok embodies this new era. Its ability to combine short-form videos, algorithmic discovery, and cultural trends has transformed how the world consumes content and how it searches for information.

“Young people today don’t just see TikTok as an entertainment app, it’s how Gen Z starts browsing and searching. From recipes to product reviews, or travel tips. This shows a deep transformation in digital habits, where information is no longer searched by keywords, but discovered through algorithms via visual narrative context,” explains Cristian González, Head of Content at Softonic.

According to WARC, users now spend over 35 hours per month on TikTok, far surpassing Instagram and Facebook. The platform is projected to exceed $32 billion in advertising revenue in 2025. Social networks are no longer merely spaces for conversation; they've evolved into engines of discovery, consumption, and shared cultural meaning.

Professional Communication: A Continued Rise in Hybrid Environments

Despite the growth of entertainment platforms, messaging apps and video conferencing tools like Zoom and Teams remain essential, particularly in professional settings. Although downloads have decreased year-on-year (by 67% and 31%, respectively), their importance is still key to users. Since the pandemic, user behavior has shifted toward hybrid work models, where these tools are now ingrained in daily routines. Far from being a temporary trend, they have become an essential part of the professional ecosystem.

Softonic’s global download ranking clearly shows that social media remains deeply embedded in our daily lives: apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram still hold strong positions, proving that the need for communication remains relevant. However, the real transformation lies in how users engage digitally. TikTok not only leads in downloads, it redefines the role of social platforms. It’s no longer just about staying in touch; it’s about being entertained, discovering content, and even searching for information through a visual, algorithmic, and contextual experience.

In this new digital landscape, TikTok functions as a social network, search engine, and consumption channel all in one marking a significant evolution in global digital behavior.

About Softonic

Softonic is a leading tech company specializing in secure software distribution. The company operates Softonic.com, the world’s most trusted software download platform. Currently available in 18 languages, the platform classifies, evaluates, and distributes more than 1 million programs and solutions for Windows, Android, and Mac worldwide. Each month, over 75 million users turn to Softonic.com, thanks to its rigorous quality controls that ensure virus-free software downloads.

Founded in Barcelona in 1997, Softonic also manages other initiatives, such as GHacks, a tech news portal for IT users. In July 2024, the company acquired Appvizer, a platform focused on B2B software selection to support professional growth. Today, Softonic has expanded its workforce to over 110 employees representing more than 22 nationalities.