Summary

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app for mobile and desktop, focused on security and speed. Users can exchange messages, photos, videos, and files, with cloud chats synced across devices. Groups can include up to 200,000 members, while channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences. Voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted, and group calls support up to 200 participants. Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption and remain only on the devices involved; cloud chats are stored encrypted on Telegram servers. Bots and Mini Apps can connect services and workflows, while the open API and Bot API let developers build apps and integrations. The free plan includes cloud storage, groups and channels, calls, and use across multiple devices and accounts. Ordinary users can upload files up to 2 GB each; Premium subscribers can upload up to 4 GB. Premium also lists faster downloads and doubled limits, but its price varies by country and subscription provider. Telegram is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and requires a phone account.

Who it is for

Telegram suits people who want messaging across devices, large groups, channels, or developer integrations. Business users and small teams may also use groups, usernames, desktop apps, and file sharing to communicate.

What is good

Free plan includes cloud storage, calls, groups, and channels.
Groups support up to 200,000 members.
Channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences.
Apps are available across mobile, desktop, and web.

What to know first

Ordinary users' file uploads are limited to 2 GB each.
A phone is required for an account.
Secret Chats are limited to their participating devices.
Premium pricing varies by country and provider.

Verdict

Telegram brings cloud chats, calls, groups, channels, and developer tools together across devices. Note the difference between encrypted Secret Chats and cloud chats, and the standard file-upload limit.

Telegram plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Free to use; the FAQ says existing features remain free. Unlimited cloud storage · groups and channels · voice and video calls · multiple devices and accounts telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026

Telegram Premium Not published Monthly or yearly subscriptions are available; price varies by country and subscription provider. 4 GB file uploads · faster downloads · doubled limits · exclusive features telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on secure messaging apps

Free plan: Yestelegram.org
Account requirement: phonetelegram.org
Encrypted backups: Yestelegram.org
Desktop apps: Yestelegram.org
Maximum group size: 200,000 memberstelegram.org
Multi-device support: Yestelegram.org
Disappearing messages: Yestelegram.org

Facts

Product: Telegram describes itself as a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app focused on security and speed.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Messaging: Users can send messages, photos, videos and files, and cloud chats sync across devices.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Groups and channels: Groups can hold up to 200,000 members, while channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Calls: Telegram supports end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls and group calls for up to 200 participants.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Business users: Telegram says business users and small teams may use large groups, usernames, desktop apps and file sharing for communication.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Bots and integrations: Bots can connect businesses’ existing tools and workflows, and Mini Apps can integrate with third-party services, APIs and devices.core.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Developer platform: Telegram provides an open API and Bot API for building apps, specialized tools and integrations, including payment features.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Security: Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption and are available only on the devices where they were sent or received; cloud chats are stored encrypted on Telegram servers.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Privacy: Telegram says it does not use personal data for ad targeting or sell it to others, and describes retaining data needed to operate its cloud service.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Support: Telegram directs users to its FAQ and provides a contact option for Telegram Support.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Notable limit: The FAQ says ordinary users can upload files up to 2 GB each, while Premium subscribers can upload files up to 4 GB.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026
Premium pricing: Premium subscriptions can be purchased through the App Store, Google Play or @PremiumBot, and the FAQ says yearly subscriptions are discounted.telegram.org · 30 Sept 2026