Messaging apps hit 6.1 billion users: Tencent and Facebook have 75% of them

According to a report from IHS Markit, mobile-messaging apps achieved a combined user base of 6.1 billion monthly active users by the end of 2017.

The research outfit reports that as the market matures, the overall growth rate is slowing, and smaller players are struggling to increase their user bases. Facebook and Tencent together accounted for 75 percent of monthly active users in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The massive resources of Tencent and Facebook spell stiff competition for smaller, country-focused messaging platforms, like Kakao and Line, according to IHS Markit. However, their strong positions and deep integration in their local markets should help them defend their positions for some time.