Stray Kids are the bigger group right now when you look at global numbers and touring power. Both groups are absolute giants in 4th Gen K-pop, but they shine in different ways.
JYP’s self-producing eight-member crew and HYBE’s story-driven five-member team have both changed the game completely.
In this article, i will tell you their 2026 numbers across streaming, sales, charts, and awards. You’ll see exactly where each group wins and why the answer depends on what matters most to you.
Stray Kids vs TXT Overview
Let’s put the numbers side by side so you can see how these two groups really compare right now:
| Parameter | Stray Kids (SKZ) | TXT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Followers | 33M | 18M | Stray Kids |
| YouTube Followers | 22.8M | 13.2M | Stray Kids |
| Spotify Monthly Listeners | 24.0M | 13.6M | Stray Kids |
| Album Sales | 54.4M | 17.6M | Stray Kids |
| Billboard Chart Rankings | 8 consecutive Billboard 200 #1s | Multiple Top 5 Billboard 200 entries | Stray Kids |
| Awards & Recognition | 2026 Golden Disc Album Daesang | 2026 GDA Album Bonsang | Stray Kids |
| Recent Trends | #1 most talked-about act on X in 2025 | Most-streamed 4th Gen boy group song of 2025 | Mixed |
| Core Strength | Global touring power & Western expansion | Digital longevity & Japanese market dominance | Mixed |
Stray Kids win most of the categories, but TXT’s streaming consistency and strong presence in Japan tell a different story worth paying attention to.
Now we will discuss each kpop group in more detail below:
Stray Kids Profile
Stray Kids debuted on March 25, 2018, with “District 9” under JYP Entertainment.
The eight members are Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. There is something that makes them special, which is that they produce their own music through 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han).
They’ve hit #1 on the Billboard 200 eight times in a row, something no other K-pop group has ever done. Their 2025 dominATE World Tour sold over 1.3 million tickets, making them the biggest touring act in 4th Gen.
They were also the most talked-about music act on X (Twitter) in 2025. That’s serious cultural power.
TXT Profile
TXT debuted on March 4, 2019, under Big Hit Music (now HYBE).
The five members are Soobin, who is the leader of TXT, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai. They made history as the first K-pop group with seven #1 albums on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart. Pretty impressive, right?
Ten of their albums have charted on the Billboard 200, with many landing in the Top 5. Their newest release, The Star Chapter: TOGETHER, is doing amazing on both Oricon (Japan) and Korean digital charts.
Here’s something cool: TXT holds the record for the most-streamed 4th Gen boy group song of 2025. Their music just sticks with people.
Stray Kids vs TXT: Reddit & Quora Fan Reviews
Let’s see what actual fans are saying online.
1. Reddit user Legitimate-Career342 pointed out that “Stray Kids are up there now, honestly. Trailing right next to Sabrina Carpenter and The Weeknd in album sales this year. TXT seemed more popular domestically pre-pandemic.”
2. Another Redditor, memetorangutan, said something interesting:
“Even I know songs like God’s Menu and the famous members of SKZ like Felix. I don’t know anything about TXT lol.” That shows how SKZ has broken into casual listener territory.
3. Over on Quora, Lala explained it like this:
“TXT is more popular in Korea, but SKZ is way more popular internationally. SKZ is the only 4th Gen group with 6 MAMA nominations, and they’re the fastest K-pop group to hit 6 million monthly listeners.”
4. Hannah Mal added: “In Korea, TXT. Internationally, Stray Kids is more popular. Stray Kids charts well in Korea, but their concept doesn’t fit Korean style, I guess, while TXT’s does.”
Verdict: Stray Kids own the international conversation, while TXT has a stronger hold on Korean fans and the Japanese market.
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Conclusion: Stray Kids Is A Bigger K-pop Group Than TXT
Stray Kids lead in 2026 when it comes to global streaming, physical album sales, and social media numbers. Their recent Golden Disc Daesang win and record-breaking tour prove they’re the bigger group worldwide right now.
But TXT counters with better digital staying power, stronger Korean charts, and a discography that fans genuinely treasure.
“Bigger” really depends on your measure. As 2026 keeps rolling, it’ll be exciting to watch SKZ push further into the West while TXT keeps building their empire in Japan and Korea.
FAQs
Stray Kids are the biggest 4th Gen group globally in 2026, but groups like BTS and BLACKPINK still have larger overall fanbases worldwide.
TXT ranks among the top 4th Gen boy groups with seven Billboard #1 albums and the most-streamed 4th Gen song of 2025.
Stray Kids have eight consecutive Billboard 200 #1 albums as of January 2026. No other K-pop group has done this.
Twice has more legacy and total career sales, but Stray Kids pass them in 2026 global touring money and current Western chart performance.
BTS is still the biggest K-pop group overall, but Stray Kids lead all active 4th Gen groups in international reach and physical sales.
