For years, a heated debate raged in the digital world: Is mobile usage surpassing desktop? In 2020, the answer became definitive. That pivotal year, marked by a global shift to remote work and online living, didn’t just push mobile to the forefront—it cemented it as the primary way people access the internet.
But the story doesn’t end there. Understanding the mobile vs desktop usage trends of 2020 is key to understanding how we use the internet today. This guide will revisit that crucial year and explain how it has permanently reshaped user behavior, and what that means for your digital strategy today.
The Great Shift of 2020
By 2020, the trend was already clear. Mobile was the dominant force, a fact that was accelerated by a global shift towards working and living from home. By the end of that year, mobile devices accounted for over 68% of all web visits globally. In contrast, desktop usage hovered around 29%.
However, these numbers tell only half the story. While mobile was a king in traffic volume, desktop still reigned supreme in user engagement. In 2020, desktop users spent roughly twice as long on a site as their mobile counterparts. They also viewed more pages per visit and had a lower bounce rate, indicating that while we used our phones for quick, on-the-go browsing, we were still using desktops for deeper, more focused tasks.
Did the Pandemic Make Desktop Usage Increase in 2020?
Yes, the pandemic increased desktop usage in 2020, but not in the way you might expect.
While mobile devices continued to drive the largest share of overall web traffic, desktop usage saw a significant increase in absolute terms due to the shift to remote work and online learning. The data shows that global PC sales surged by over 10% in the second and third quarters of 2020. This was a reversal of a decade-long trend of declining PC sales.
The reason for this dual trend is that devices were used for different purposes. Mobile was for quick, high-volume activities like social media and news consumption. Desktop, however, became the go-to tool for longer, more focused tasks like:
- Remote Work and Collaboration: Video conferencing platforms (like Zoom and Microsoft Teams) and work software were used primarily on desktops.
- Online Education: With schools and universities moving online, students and teachers relied on computers for assignments and virtual classes.
- High-Value Transactions: Even as mobile e-commerce saw a spike, desktop often maintained a higher conversion rate for complex purchases, such as large online orders or financial transactions.
The study made by Perficient.com shows mobile versus desktop usage on the web. The data in the study was pulled from Google Analytics’ Benchmarking feature.
The table below gives a comparison of traffic patterns in 2019 and 2020, both U.S. and globally.
Key Takeaways:
- Mobile experiences are still increasing.
- Mobile devices make 61% of visits to U.S. websites in 2020, from 57% in 2019.
- Globally, 68.1% of all website visits in 2020 come from mobile devices, from 63.3% in 2019.
- Desktop continues to be very significant.
- Desktops make 53.3% of total time on-site in the U.S. and 46.4% of total time on-site globally.
This surge in desktop usage in 2020 proved that while mobile is crucial for accessibility, desktop remains vital for productivity and in-depth engagement.
Today’s Digital Landscape (2025)
The trend has only continued. Today, mobile has solidified its position, accounting for roughly 60-64% of all global web traffic, while desktop usage has stabilized at around 36-40%. The device split is no longer about which one “wins,” but about understanding how and why people use each one.
- Mobile is for Convenience & Volume: Users grab their phones for quick, high-volume activities. This includes social media browsing, checking news, watching short videos, and impulse shopping.
- Desktop is for Productivity & Research: Desktops still dominate for focused work and complex tasks. For example, professional work, high-end gaming, and detailed online research are still overwhelmingly done on a desktop.
This user behavior is reflected in the data. While mobile brings in the majority of traffic, desktop users still tend to have a higher conversion rate, especially for major purchases or complex transactions like booking travel. They are more committed and willing to fill out long forms or complete a high-value purchase on a larger screen.
The Impact on Strategy: Why Mobile-First is a Must
The 2020 shift fundamentally changed how we should approach digital presence. Today, a mobile-first strategy is no longer optional—it’s essential. This means building your website, content, and user experience for a mobile screen first, and then scaling it up for larger devices.
- Design for the Thumb: Your site’s navigation and calls-to-action should be easily accessible with a thumb. Think about tap targets, button sizes, and font readability.
- Optimize for Speed: Mobile users are impatient. A site that takes too long to load on a mobile connection will have a high bounce rate. Prioritizing site speed is crucial.
- Content is King (but a new kind): Think short, scannable paragraphs, bullet points, and high-quality images that load quickly. Your content must deliver value quickly to capture a user’s attention.
To ensure your website is up to today’s standards, you need to check its performance and design on mobile devices. How to Check Your Website’s Mobile-Friendliness is a critical step in a mobile-first approach
A Balanced Approach: It’s Not a Zero-Sum Game
While mobile has taken the lead in traffic, the data clearly shows that desktop is not “dead.” It’s simply serving a different purpose. Many users now engage in a cross-device journey, starting their research on a mobile device and completing a purchase on a desktop.
A successful modern strategy requires a balanced approach. You must have a seamless, fast, and user-friendly mobile experience to capture high-volume traffic while also ensuring that your desktop site is optimized for the detailed research, longer sessions, and high-value conversions that happen there.
Conclusion
The mobile vs. desktop debate has evolved from a question of which device is better to a nuanced understanding of how they work together. The trends of 2020 cemented mobile as the primary entry point to the internet, but desktop remains vital for specific, high-value tasks. By understanding these distinct user behaviors and designing for a flawless experience across both devices, you can build a truly effective digital presence for today’s market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is desktop usage dead?
No, not at all. While mobile drives the majority of web traffic, desktop continues to be essential for specific tasks, especially in professional, high-value, and content-heavy industries. It’s a critical part of the cross-device user journey.
What is a mobile-first strategy?
A mobile-first strategy is a web design and content approach that prioritizes the user experience on mobile devices. You start by designing for the smallest screen and then add features and complexity as the screen size increases.
How do I check my own website’s mobile vs. desktop usage?
You can use a free tool like Google Analytics. By navigating to the Audience > Mobile > Overview report, you can see a breakdown of your website’s traffic, conversions, and other metrics by device type (mobile, desktop, and tablet).