KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea by a massive margin (2024)

Article by Sara Lebow|May 13, 2021

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Nearly all mobile messaging app users in South Korea use KakaoTalk, making it by far the most popular messaging app in the country. Others see significantly less use: Close to 3 in 10 use Instagram messages, while 2 in 10 are on Facebook Messenger.

KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea by a massive margin (1)KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea by a massive margin (2)

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KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea by a massive margin (2024)

FAQs

KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea by a massive margin? ›

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2023 among mobile messenger users, 94.6 percent of surveyed mobile messenger users stated to use KakaoTalk. It was by far the most used messenger service in South Korea.

What is the most used messaging app in South Korea? ›

If both parties agree to use a messaging app, then KakaoTalk is the most commonly used and accepted messaging app in South Korea. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate with your Korean counterparts and establish a successful business relationship.

Is KakaoTalk popular in Korea? ›

Similar to its much-touted Chinese equivalent, WeChat, KakaoTalk has a hold on the messaging market in Korea, with up to 97% of the market share of messaging.

Why is KakaoTalk so popular? ›

KakaoTalk began as a messenger service but has become a platform for the distribution of various third-party content and apps, including hundreds of games, which users can download and play with their friends through the messaging platform.

What is Kakao known for? ›

Kakao is a platform that provides messaging, gaming, mobile payments, music streaming, and taxi services, amongst others. It has become one of the most used mobile apps in South Korea, with millions of users relying on it for various purposes.

What is the best app to chat with in Korea? ›

The most widely used messaging service in Korea is KakaoTalk, which is utilized by practically everyone.

Do Koreans use WhatsApp? ›

Is WhatsApp Available in South Korea? South Korea is among those countries that use WhatsApp. You can use WhatsApp to call and text friends from overseas. This App is easier to use by all persons of different ages.

Why is KakaoTalk popular in Korea? ›

Why is KakaoTalk more popular in Korea than in Japan? Because Kakao(Daum) is a primarily a Korean company and Kakaotalk is a necessity in Korea as about 93% of smartphones in Korea has Kakaotalk. Koreans basically don't use anything else other than maybe Facebook messenger.

Is KakaoTalk still popular? ›

With over 53 million active users worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2022, KakaoTalk is one of the most popular mobile messaging apps from South Korea. Operated by the South Korean Kakao Corporation, it is particularly popular in its homeland.

Is Kakao better than WhatsApp? ›

The app is available on Android, iOS, BB OS and Windows phones. It trumps over WhatsApp because of its Offline chat facility, better sticker collection, hidden chat feature, and free messaging to non-Hike members. Not everyone must have heard about the KakaoTalk instant messaging app.

Why temporarily banned from KakaoTalk? ›

KakaoTalk automatically limits your account when suspicious activity is detected. During this time, you may still use most of the features of KakaoTalk, but certain features may not be available for use.

Is KakaoTalk for Korean only? ›

KakaoTalk has become an ingrained part of South Korean culture, but you can use it anywhere in the world.

What do Koreans use to chat? ›

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2022, around 99 percent of respondents stated that they used the instant messenger service KakaoTalk. Other popular instant messenger services were Facebook Messenger at about 23 percent, followed by Instagram messenger at 18 percent.

Can non Koreans use Kakao? ›

Foreign tourists can use Kakao T in South Korea without that app. Based on the global mobility aggregator platform Splyt, this service connects overseas users and the network of Kakao T app.

Can Americans use KakaoTalk? ›

Is the service available worldwide? KakaoTalk is available in 230 officially registered international country codes. Please select the correct code for your country, then enter your phone number (without the country code), and then continue through the SMS verification process.

Can foreigners use Kakao? ›

This has allowed domestic users to make payments abroad without currency exchange and enabled foreign tourists to use their native mobile payment services at Kakao Pay-affiliated stores in Korea. It is the only fintech company in the domestic market providing such a service.

What social media apps do most Koreans use? ›

Korea has the second-highest rate of active social media users in the world. Users toggle between multiple platforms, such as KakaoTalk, Meta, Instagram, Naver LINE, and TikTok.

Is KakaoTalk safe? ›

Kakao meets national and international certification standards on user information protection activities and systems.

What is the number one dating app in South Korea? ›

5 Best Dating Apps in South Korea

Tinder (free, hookup app) Noondate (free, focused on serious relationships) Azar (free, video chat app) Amanda (free, women-focused)

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