LINE Messaging App Passes 100m Users

Japan’s LINE messaging app has passed 100m users in just over 18 months. The company says it is used in 231 countries/regions and it is number one in 41 app stores. Stats obtained by TechCrunch said that the app has an estimated 44 per cent market share in Japan.

LINE, which gives users access to free calls and messages, is just one of many OTT messaging apps that have launched in the APAC region and generates revenue by selling virtual ‘stickers’ for its users to send to friends. It is available for free on iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry, as well as on feature phones and as a desktop version. The company, which launched in June 2011, has announced a free ‘sticker’ giveaway for Android and iOS users.

Facebook Messenger, Skype and Whatsapp are among the most popular messaging apps globally.