Daily Audience of Russian Messaging App Max Reaches 30 Million Users

A National Platform with Global Implications

Russia’s Minister of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, confirmed that more than 30 million users now access Max every day.

According to the minister, the development team is already in talks with federal agencies and service providers to expand the platform’s capabilities and introduce new functions aimed at increasing user value.

For a nationwide service, an audience in the tens of millions is a strong indicator of adoption and a key moment for Russia’s IT sector. Max reduces the country’s dependence on foreign messengers, along with the security and regulatory risks tied to them. The model — a multifunctional, state-backed platform built around a messenger — may serve as an example for other countries seeking digital sovereignty.

Ecosystem Growth Through Integrations

For now, Max is focused on the domestic market, and large-scale international rollout is not expected in the near term. However, if the platform matures into a full-scale digital ecosystem, export or licensing of its payment and service modules is not excluded.

“Statistics show that Max is not only attracting users — it is keeping them active. People return to the app daily, which means it is becoming part of their digital routine. And the fact that advertisers are already interested is a strong indicator of market trust. In the long run, this will drive the development of the entire ecosystem around the messenger.”

Rifat Sabitov

Chairman of the Civic Chamber Commission on Digital Development

The roadmap includes integration of business tools, mini-apps, and government services. Russian Post, for example, is exploring the possibility of embedding support and identity-verification services into the app.

Analysts note that Max is following the “super-app” model pioneered by China’s WeChat — expanding from messaging into a service layer for both government and commercial organizations. At the same time, competition between embedded services and user fatigue remain real risks.

Record Growth of the User Base

The idea of a national messenger was first discussed in 2015 by Russia’s telecom regulator, but real development accelerated in 2024–2025, when Max emerged as a fully domestic product.

Today, the platform’s user base is growing steadily as businesses, public institutions, and schools migrate communications into Max. In the context of sanctions, data-security concerns, and fraud incidents in foreign apps, Max is increasingly viewed as a safer alternative. Like its Chinese counterpart, the app is expected to evolve into a hub not only for communication, but also for payments and everyday digital services.

Infrastructure, Regulation, and the Road Ahead

Max is already becoming a critical component of Russia’s digital infrastructure. In the near future, the platform is expected to expand through government-backed initiatives such as mandatory pre-installation on devices sold in Russia, which would increase both reach and ecosystem stability.

However, the project still faces challenges: user resistance, competition with foreign messengers, and questions of long-term data security and trust. If these risks are managed successfully, a controlled international rollout could follow, especially to markets that prioritize digital sovereignty.