Russia’s Max Messenger Hits One Million Users, Eyes Government Integration
A new homegrown messaging app, Max, is quickly becoming Russia’s answer to WeChat—with government services next on the roadmap.
Russia’s new messaging platform Max has surpassed one million registered users, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital independence efforts. The app, developed by VK, is seen as a promising domestic alternative to China’s all-in-one WeChat.
In just a few weeks, users have sent over 14 million messages and made more than 420,000 calls via the platform. The average call duration clocked in at 8 minutes and 6 seconds, according to the company’s press service.
Max is more than a messaging app. It’s a digital ecosystem that includes mini-apps, chatbot builders, and an integrated payment system—all designed to streamline communication and services within a single interface.
The majority of users—about 75 percent—are on Android devices, with around 23 percent using iOS and 2 percent accessing the service from desktop versions. The app has seen strong adoption in major Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, and Krasnodar.
VK has plans to integrate the government’s “Gosuslugi” (Public Services) portal into Max, which would elevate the app’s utility and likely drive user numbers even higher.
