Messenger vs WhatsApp:Which is searched more?
In September 2026, WhatsApp had more branded searches than Messenger among messaging apps worldwide. WhatsApp was estimated to have 277M branded searches compared to Messenger’s 13.6M, and held an 85.5% Share of Search versus Messenger’s 4.2%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, Messenger or WhatsApp?
Compare the messaging apps people chat on. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for WhatsApp, Messenger. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | Discord | Messenger | Signal | Viber | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 79.7% | 13.1% | 5.9% | 0.43% | 0.53% | 0.35% |
| Nov 2025 | 80.7% | 13.3% | 4.9% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 77.4% | 15.6% | 5.7% | 0.51% | 0.51% | 0.34% |
| Jan 2026 | 77.4% | 15.6% | 5.7% | 0.51% | 0.51% | 0.34% |
| Feb 2026 | 79.7% | 13.1% | 5.9% | 0.53% | 0.53% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 80.7% | 13.3% | 4.9% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.29% |
| Apr 2026 | 82.8% | 11.1% | 5% | 0.37% | 0.45% | 0.3% |
| May 2026 | 80.8% | 13.3% | 4.9% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.29% |
| Jun 2026 | 82.8% | 11.1% | 5% | 0.37% | 0.45% | 0.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 82.9% | 11.1% | 5% | 0.3% | 0.37% | 0.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 80.8% | 13.3% | 4.9% | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.29% |
| Sep 2026 | 85.5% | 9.4% | 4.2% | 0.31% | 0.31% | 0.25% |
How has the Messenger and WhatsApp comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- WhatsApp was ahead of Messenger in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Messenger’s estimated Share of Search among messaging apps worldwide moved from 5.9% to 4.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.6M to 13.6M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s estimated Share of Search among messaging apps worldwide moved from 79.7% to 85.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 226M to 277M.
How did search popularity change for messaging apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, WhatsApp gained estimated Share of Search among messaging apps worldwide, from 80.8% to 85.5%.
In September 2026, Messenger lost estimated Share of Search among messaging apps worldwide, from 4.9% to 4.2%.
Other head-to-heads among messaging apps
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Messenger’s and WhatsApp’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.