Anyone who follows app stores knows that the list of most downloaded apps changes quickly!
Which of these apps do you already have on your phone?
Even so, some names remain at the top because they deliver exactly what the public asks for: practicality, fun, and direct contact with friends, creators, and brands.
Below, you can see who reigns supreme in this fierce competition – data compiled from the global rankings of the App Store and Google Play in the last week.
The analysis covers a variety of categories, from social networks to video editors, and explains why each service attracts so many clicks during installation.
Spoiler alert : they all run well on entry-level devices, offer free features, and are keeping an eye on innovations like artificial intelligence and in-app purchases.
TikTok
The vertical feed remains unbeatable. TikTok hooks the user in the first few seconds with an algorithm that understands personal tastes like few others.
Live streams featuring product sales, filters that play with augmented reality, and soundtracks that become hits are the recipe that maintains an average of one billion videos watched per day.
Content creators can still find very advanced editing tools without having to leave their phones.
High-quality photos remain popular, but the engine of growth today is Reels. This feature has become Meta's main strategy to retain the audience that is migrating to short videos.
In addition, Instagram integrated one-tap shopping and released the Broadcast Channel, a space where influencers chat in real time with followers using text messages, polls, and exclusive stickers.
With 20 years in the market, the blue app shows staying power when it comes to community. Themed groups, a second-hand marketplace, and live streams from creators continue to generate high engagement.
The company boosted the feed with artificial intelligence to suggest posts from profiles the user doesn't even follow – a strategy that increased the consumption of silent video, perfect for those browsing during their work break.
Update after update, the messenger has transformed into a mini-platform.
Today it's possible to record short video messages, send documents up to 2 GB, create polls in groups, and even make purchases through the app's payment system (already available in Brazil).
Multi-device mode allows you to use your account on up to four screens simultaneously without relying on your main phone.
CapCut
If TikTok is the stage, CapCut has become the dressing room. ByteDance's editor has gained AI-powered filters that remove backgrounds, change voices, and even create automatic captions in seconds.
Exported videos are sent directly in the correct aspect ratio for Reels, Shorts, or the Chinese network itself. The user-friendly interface explains the explosion of downloads among those who never edit on a computer.
Telegram
Those who value privacy will find extra features on Telegram, such as self-destructing chats, the ability to send 4 GB files, and channels with the capacity for millions of subscribers.
The app has enabled native message translations and, in the Premium version, doubled the limit for folders and stickers. Public groups continue to grow thanks to moderation tools and internal searches.
Snapchat
Stories originated here and, even though they've been copied, they remain relevant. The teenage audience keeps Snap lively with daily streaks, augmented reality filters, and the map that shows friends in real time.
The latest venture is called My AI: a chatbot that suggests everything from captions to sightseeing ideas, all within the conversation.
Messenger
Although it is a "sibling" of Facebook, Messenger maintains its own identity.
The feature of video rooms with no time limit gained automatic captions, and games integrated into the chat resurfaced to retain users looking for quick entertainment.
Integration with SMS on Android still makes the app the central messaging tool for many entry-level devices.
Over 20 billion combined downloads...
These apps rank highly because they deliver clear benefits: instant communication, unhindered creativity, and active communities.
The battle for attention keeps all development teams busy with new filters, generative AI, and payment features.
If you haven't yet tried any of the names on the list, open your system's app store, find the corresponding icon, and see why billions of people clicked "Install.".
