Kik, the under-the-radar mobile chat app, now has over 100 million users

The popularity of mobile devices has fueled the rise of mobile chat apps. Kik, a relatively low-profile messaging app based in Canada, recently announced that it has surpassed 100 million users.

Despite reaching this milestone, Ted Livingston, the 26-year-old CEO (and former BlackBerry employee), was initially reluctant to make an official announcement. It was only after pressure from his public relations team that the news was finally released.

Media estimates suggest that with over 100 million users, Kik has now surpassed Snapchat, which recently turned down a $3 billion acquisition offer from Facebook. Additionally, Kik's user base is comparable to BlackBerry's BBM messaging service.

Compared to other chat apps, Kik offers a more "all-in-one" user experience. For example, it allows GIFs to be embedded directly in chat windows and includes an integrated YouTube search button. Its simple and easy-to-use interface is also a key feature.

Kik was launched in 2010, and within just 15 days of its release, it had already acquired over one million users. Notably, shortly after its launch, Kik faced a ban by BlackBerry, which removed it from its app store. This dispute was only resolved in 2013 when both companies reached an agreement.