PUBG Mobile in 2025: Still a Battle Royale Titan?

Back in 2018, PUBG Mobile hit a wild milestone, racking up 100 million downloads in just four months, making it the fastest game to do so on the Google Play Store. Now, in 2025, it’s still a big deal in mobile gaming, but the scene’s changed a lot. With heavy hitters like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Garena Free Fire in the mix, people are wondering: Is PUBG Mobile still popular in 2025? Let’s break down its current status, download numbers, cash flow, and how it stacks up against Fortnite.

Record-Breaking Downloads and Global Reach

Since dropping on March 19, 2018, PUBG Mobile has stayed a beast in the battle royale world. By December 2022, it had about 1.3 billion downloads worldwide, counting its Chinese version, Game for Peace, and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). In 2024, it pulled in 101 million downloads, a bit more than 2023, showing it’s still got pull despite hiccups like India’s ban, which hit its player base hard. Game for Peace in China is a monster, driving over half the game’s revenue and boasting 50 million daily active users in 2025. Add in 30 million daily players for PUBG Mobile and over 10 million for BGMI, and you’ve got over 90 million folks playing daily across all versions.

China’s the top dog for downloads, followed by places like India (before the ban), the U.S., and Brazil. The game runs smooth on mid-range phones, which keeps it hot in places where fancy devices aren’t everywhere.

Revenue: A Financial Juggernaut

PUBG Mobile’s making bank. By December 2022, it had pulled in over $9 billion, putting it up there with giants like Honor of Kings and Candy Crush Saga. In 2024, it earned $1.1 billion, down a bit but still solid for a free game. Monthly revenue in 2025 sits between $90–140 million, peaking at $140 million in March thanks to seasonal events and the Royale Pass. That pass, inspired by Fortnite and Dota 2, lets players grab rewards through gameplay, with premium options keeping folks hooked and spending.

Skins, cosmetics, and event promos are the big money-makers, especially in China and Japan. Game for Peace alone brings in over half the game’s cash, showing how well it’s tailored for China. That said, revenue took a dip in December 2024, hinting at some struggles during holiday seasons compared to rivals.

Is PUBG Mobile Still Popular in 2025?

No question, PUBG Mobile’s still got a huge crowd in 2025, even with a packed battle royale scene. It averages 41 million monthly active users, with 30 million daily for PUBG Mobile, 50 million for Game for Peace, and over 10 million for BGMI. Numbers dipped to 29.7 million monthly users in October 2024 but bounced back in early 2025. Over half of new players stick around the next day, which is solid for a competitive shooter.

Here’s why it’s still kicking:

• Frequent Updates and Crossovers: Version 3.9 in July 2025 brought Transformers and Attack on Titan collabs, new maps, and cool modes like World of Wonder, keeping things fresh. Recent patches, like fixing the ODM Gear’s grappling hook, show they’re listening to players.
• Esports and Competitive Scene: The 2025 esports plan focuses on local tournaments and big events like the PUBG Global Series, drawing in serious players and keeping the game visible. It’s not as huge as Fortnite’s scene, but it’s got juice with decent prize pools.
• Community Engagement: Streamers, content creators, and modders keep the community tight. Custom matches and modding tools add replay value, and posts from @PUBGMOBILE on X about updates and events, like Cybertron Heroes or Bonus Pass rewards, keep players hyped.
• Accessibility and Optimization: It runs well on mid-range phones, making it a go-to in places like Southeast Asia and South America, where it beats out Fortnite, which needs beefier hardware.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. The India ban was a gut punch, and while BGMI’s helped, it hasn’t fully made up for it. Lag, cheaters, and long matchmaking times are still issues, with players on X griping about “network lag detected” errors. Plus, battle royale games are losing some steam, dropping from 19% of gaming hours in 2021 to 12% in 2024 as other genres like RPGs pick up.

Competition with Fortnite

Fortnite’s still the one to beat, but PUBG Mobile holds its own. In 2025, Fortnite has 650 million registered players, 110 million monthly users, and 60 million daily users, outdoing PUBG Mobile in daily playtime. It’s also a cash cow, with over $40 billion in lifetime revenue and $6 billion expected in 2025, compared to PUBG Mobile’s $1.1 billion in 2024. Fortnite’s app store drama in 2020 gave PUBG Mobile a mobile download edge, but Fortnite’s cloud streaming and cross-platform progress keep it ahead.

Here’s how they differ:

• Gameplay Style: PUBG Mobile’s about realistic combat and strategy, with detailed weapons and maps like Erangel and Sanhok. Fortnite’s faster, flashier, and has building mechanics, pulling in younger, casual players.
• Monetization: Fortnite’s Battle Pass and endless skins, emotes, and dances rake in more per player ($73.33 vs. PUBG Mobile’s $59.79). PUBG Mobile’s Royale Pass and loot boxes work but catch flak for being pushy.
• Market Reach: PUBG Mobile rules Asia, especially China and India (via BGMI), while Fortnite owns the U.S. and Europe. Fortnite’s missing from Android stores, but its 81.1k Twitch viewers show its cultural clout.
• Innovation: Fortnite’s wild updates and events, like the Juice WRLD concert with 14 million players, keep it fresh. PUBG Mobile leans on crossovers and esports, but its mobile focus gives it an edge for accessibility.

Why PUBG Mobile Stays Relevant

Even with Fortnite’s revenue and streaming lead, PUBG Mobile’s no slouch. Its 2024 Unreal Engine 5 upgrade, better servers, and modes like Cybertron Heroes tackle old issues and pull in players. Going free-to-play on PC and consoles in 2022 opened the gates, leading to over 80 million registered players across platforms.

Players on X are still pumped, with @PUBGMOBILE posting about anti-cheat efforts (like banning 299,738 accounts from June 13–19, 2025) and new content. Some folks grumble about monetization and bugs, so PUBG Mobile’s gotta keep balancing cash grabs with player happiness to stay strong.