The Most Popular App in China, Ranked

Choose the app you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 17, 2024 06:47
In a country with a thriving tech ecosystem, finding the most popular app can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The sheer number of apps increases daily, each promising unique features and experiences. Having a clear, community-driven ranking helps cut through the noise, simplifying choices for new users and providing insights into what is trending. This interactive list serves as a real-time snapshot of user preferences and app popularity. By casting your vote, you contribute to a broader understanding of which apps are truly making an impact. It’s more than just a list; it’s a community consensus, giving voice to users and guiding new users towards trusted, tested applications.

What Is the Most Popular App in China?

  1. 1
    46
    votes
    A multi-purpose messaging and social media app with over 1 billion monthly active users in China. It offers features like instant messaging, voice and video calls, mobile payments, and social networking.
    WeChat is a multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. It was released in January 2011 and quickly became one of the most popular apps in China.
    • Messaging: WeChat allows users to send text, voice, and multimedia messages individually or in groups.
    • Social Media: Users can share moments, photos, and videos on their timeline, comment on others' posts, and follow celebrities or official accounts.
    • Voice and Video Calls: WeChat offers high-quality voice and video calls, supporting both one-on-one and group conversations.
    • Mini Programs: It provides a platform for third-party developers to create small applications within WeChat, offering various services and features.
    • Mobile Payment: WeChat Pay allows users to make mobile payments, transfer money, pay bills, order food, book flights, and more.
  2. 2
    21
    votes
    A short-video app that allows users to create and share 15-second videos with music, filters, and other creative tools. It has over 600 million monthly active users in China.
    Douyin, also known as TikTok, is a popular social media app in China known for its short-form videos. It allows users to create, share, and discover entertaining clips ranging from lip-syncing to comedic skits. The app has gained immense popularity for its creative filters, effects, and advanced video editing tools.
    • Platform: iOS and Android
    • Launch Year: 2016
    • Monthly Active Users: Over 600 million
    • Video Duration: Up to 60 seconds
    • Music Integration: Users can add popular songs to their videos
  3. 3
    22
    votes
    A mobile payment app that enables users to pay for goods and services, transfer money, and manage their finances. It has over 700 million registered users in China.
    Alipay is a widely used mobile payment platform in China that allows users to make payments for a wide range of services and products. It also offers additional features such as money transfers, bill payments, and financial management tools. Alipay is known for its convenience, security, and widespread acceptance in China.
    • Platform: Android, iOS
    • User base: Over 1 billion users
    • Supported Currencies: CNY (Chinese Yuan)
    • Payment Methods: Bank accounts, credit/debit cards, Alipay balance
    • QR Code Payment: Supports QR code scanning for payment
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    A search engine app that provides web pages, images, videos, and other content based on user queries. It has over 70% market share in China's search engine market.
    Baidu is a leading Chinese language internet search engine and web services company. It is the most widely used search engine in China, providing a wide range of search and related services, such as maps, news, cloud storage, and music. Baidu's mission is to provide the best and most equitable way for people to find what they are looking for online.
    • Market Share: Over 70% in China
    • Monthly Active Users: Over 500 million
    • Language Support: Chinese (Mandarin)
    • Mobile Presence: Available on iOS and Android
    • AI and Machine Learning: Utilized for personalized search results
  5. 5
    16
    votes

    QQ

    A messaging app that offers instant messaging, voice and video calls, online games, and social networking. It has over 800 million registered users in China.
    QQ is a popular multi-platform messaging app in China that allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, share photos and files, play games, and more. It is known for its wide range of functionalities and user-friendly interface.
    • Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
    • Messaging: Text messaging, voice messages, video calls, group chats
    • File Sharing: Photos, videos, documents
    • Stickers: Extensive library of stickers and emojis
    • Games: In-app games and integration with gaming services
  6. 6
    16
    votes
    A microblogging and social networking app similar to Twitter. It has over 500 million registered users in China.
    Weibo is a popular social media platform in China that allows users to share their thoughts, images, videos, and more. It combines features of microblogging, blogging, and social networking, making it a comprehensive platform for sharing and discovering content.
    • Launch Date: August 14, 2009
    • Users: Over 500 million active users (as of Q3 2021)
    • Monthly Active Users (MAU): Approximately 530 million (as of Q3 2021)
    • Daily Active Users (DAU): Approximately 229 million (as of Q3 2021)
    • Content Types: Text posts, images, videos, live-streaming, and more
  7. 7
    19
    votes
    An e-commerce app that allows users to buy and sell various products, including clothing, electronics, and household items. It has over 800 million registered users in China.
    Taobao is China's largest online shopping platform, offering a wide range of products from clothing and consumer electronics to food and services. It was created by Alibaba Group in 2003 as a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplace.
    • Users: Over 800 million active monthly users
    • Product Categories: Various categories including fashion, electronics, home goods, and more
    • Mobile App: Available for both iOS and Android devices
    • Integrated Services: Offers payment processing (Alipay), logistics (Cainiao Network), and other services within the platform
    • Live Streaming: Ability for sellers to showcase products through live streaming videos
  8. 8
    2
    votes
    Didi Chuxing
    N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Didi Chuxing

    Wei Cheng
    A ride-hailing app that offers taxi, private car, and other transportation services. It has over 550 million registered users in China.
    Didi Chuxing is a Chinese ride-hailing app that provides on-demand transportation services including taxi hailing, private car hailing, and ride-sharing. It is considered one of the most popular and widely used apps in China, with millions of users relying on it for their daily commuting needs.
    • Launch Date: June 2012
    • Headquarters: Beijing, China
    • Operating Countries: China, Brazil, Mexico, Australia
    • Funding: Over $21 billion from various investors
    • Number of Drivers: Over 31 million
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    An e-commerce app that offers a wide range of products, including electronics, appliances, and groceries. It has over 300 million registered users in China.
    JD.com, also known as Jingdong, is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in China. It offers a wide range of products, including electronics, fashion, home goods, and more. With a user-friendly interface and reliable delivery services, JD.com has gained a large user base and is a preferred choice for online shopping in China.
    • Category: E-commerce
    • Headquarters: Beijing, China
    • Founded: June 18, 1998
    • Available in: Chinese (Simplified)
    • Monthly Active Users: Over 400 million
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    A super app that offers various services, including food delivery, hotel bookings, movie tickets, and ride-hailing. It has over 400 million monthly active users in China.

Missing your favorite app?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular app

  1. Number of active users
    The popularity of an app is often determined by the number of active users, which includes both daily active users (DAU) and monthly active users (MAU). These statistics provide insights into how engaged users are with the app and how frequently they use it.
  2. User growth rate
    The rate at which new users are gained also plays a crucial role in determining an app's popularity. A high user growth rate indicates that the app is well-received, and more people are adopting it.
  3. Downloads
    The total number of app downloads contributes to the app's overall popularity. A higher number of downloads signifies a larger user base, which is an important factor to consider.
  4. User engagement and retention
    The amount of time users spend on the app and how often they return for subsequent sessions are essential factors to assess an app's popularity. Higher user engagement and retention rates signal that the app is providing value to its users.
  5. Ratings and reviews
    User ratings and reviews also help determine an app's popularity. Positive ratings and reviews are indicators of user satisfaction and offer insights into the app's strengths and weaknesses.
  6. App store rankings
    An app's rank in app stores such as Apple's App Store and Google Play Store is an essential metric to measure its popularity. Higher rankings usually translate to higher visibility, which can lead to more downloads and new users.
  7. Market share
    The market share of an app within its specific category helps determine its popularity compared to its competitors. A higher market share indicates that the app is dominating its category.
  8. Awards and recognition
    If an app has received awards or industry recognition, it can also indicate its popularity and wide acceptance among users.
  9. Social media buzz
    An app's presence on social media platforms and the buzz it generates can also influence its popularity. More user discussions, shares, and mentions can indicate a higher level of interest in the app.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular app in China. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or app is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2567 views
  • 169 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each app once every 24 hours. The rank of each app is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular app in china

Background Information: The Most Popular App in China In recent years, China has emerged as a major player in the global technology industry, with many of its homegrown apps becoming incredibly popular not just in China, but around the world. So, what is the most popular app in China? According to recent data, the answer is WeChat. This app, developed by Tencent, boasts over 1.1 billion monthly active users as of 2021, making it not just the most popular app in China, but one of the most widely-used apps in the world. WeChat is an all-in-one messaging app that offers users a wide range of features, from chat and voice messaging to video calls, payments, and even social networking. It's a crucial tool for many businesses in China, as it allows them to reach customers and conduct transactions all in one place. Other popular apps in China include Douyin (known as TikTok outside of China), Alipay (a mobile payment app), and QQ (another messaging app developed by Tencent). However, none of these apps have quite achieved the same level of dominance as WeChat. Overall, WeChat's success is a testament to the power of the Chinese tech industry and the growing influence of Chinese consumers in the global market. As more and more people around the world become familiar with WeChat and other Chinese apps, it's clear that these platforms will continue to shape the way we communicate, shop, and interact with each other in the years to come.

Share this article