What’s the most downloaded app in 2023? Here’s the world’s top apps, including the social media platforms most popular among consumers.

The most downloaded app at the beginning of 2023 was TikTok. That fact isn’t so surprising; the list of apps most popular in 2023 includes all the expected major social media platforms, but TikTok in particular has dominated the consumer conversation for a few years now.

Insights gathered by data.ai reveal that in Q1 2023 TikTok overtook Instagram as the most downloaded app. This was despite Meta deploying copycat tactics to try and outrun its rival’s rise, pushing Reels on Instagram and Facebook.


Apps most popular in 2023

Downloads

  1. TikTok
  2. Instagram
  3. Facebook
  4. WhatsApp Messenger
  5. CapCut
  6. Snapchat
  7. Telegram
  8. Facebook Messenger
  9. WhatsApp Business
  10. Spotify

Consumer Spend

  1. TikTok
  2. YouTube
  3. Disney+
  4. Tinder
  5. Google One
  6. HBO Max
  7. piccoma
  8. Bumble App
  9. Audible
  10. Linkedin

Monthly active users

  1. Facebook
  2. WhatsApp Messenger
  3. Instagram
  4. Facebook Messenger
  5. TikTok
  6. Telegram
  7. Amazon
  8. Spotify
  9. Twitter
  10. Netflix

Identifiable among data.ai’s list of the most popular apps worldwide are the top social media platforms, ranked by total downloads, consumer spend and monthly active listeners in Q1 2023.

In terms of monthly active users, Facebook is the number one social media app in the world, followed by WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger – all owned by Meta.

As Social Media Today notes, TikTok refers to itself as an “entertainment” app rather than a social media app. Arguably this is positive for musicians with music in the TikTok library; songs used in videos take more importance within an ecosystem of content that is created to be consumed rather than one based around users sharing personal updates.

Viral video on social media.

Speaking of TikTok, its easy to put your songs in the sound library for free through RouteNote! Once uploaded, TikTok users can choose your tracks as background for their videos, and you’ll collect royalties. Sound good? Find out more here!