Telegram

Telegram is a messaging service for people who want chats, calls, large communities and broadcast channels across devices. It is strongest as a flexible, free communications hub; its key trade-off is that ordinary cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted.

Overview

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Dubai, Telegram brings mobile and desktop messaging together with groups, channels, calls and tools for developers. Users can send messages, photos, videos and files, with cloud chats syncing across devices. A phone number is required for an account, which may rule it out for people who need to communicate without tying an account to a phone.

Telegram draws a clear line between two kinds of conversation. Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption and remain only on the devices involved; cloud chats are stored encrypted on Telegram’s servers. That makes Secret Chats the better fit for conversations requiring end-to-end encryption, while cloud chats provide the multi-device synchronization that makes Telegram convenient. Telegram says it does not sell personal data or use it for ad targeting, and retains data needed to operate its cloud service. Encrypted backups and disappearing messages are supported.

Key features

• Groups and channels: Groups can hold up to 200,000 members, and channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences. These capacities suit large communities and one-to-many announcements; they are more than most small groups need, but useful when a conversation needs room to grow.
• Voice and video calls: Telegram supports end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, plus group calls for up to 200 participants. That gives users private calling and a substantial group-call ceiling, alongside messaging and broadcasts.
• Files and synchronization: Cloud chats sync across devices, and free users can upload files up to 2 GB each. The cap is generous for everyday sharing, but people who regularly send larger files need Premium’s 4 GB limit.
• Bots and Mini Apps: Bots can connect business tools and workflows, while Mini Apps can work with third-party services, APIs and devices. This makes Telegram more adaptable for businesses and small teams than a messaging-only service, though the value depends on the integrations they need.
• Developer platform: The open API and Bot API support apps, specialized tools and integrations, including payment features. Developers can build on Telegram rather than being limited to its built-in chat functions.
• Support: Telegram directs users to its FAQ and provides a contact option for Telegram Support.

Pricing

Telegram is freemium, and its free plan is broad enough to serve as the default for most personal users. It costs free and includes unlimited cloud storage, groups and channels, voice and video calls, and use across multiple devices and accounts. Existing features remain free, so users do not need a paid plan for the core messaging service.

Telegram Premium has custom pricing: subscriptions are available monthly or yearly, with prices varying by country and purchase provider. The FAQ says yearly subscriptions are discounted. Premium adds 4 GB file uploads, faster downloads, doubled limits and exclusive features. It is the relevant upgrade for people who regularly share files beyond the free 2 GB cap or want the increased limits; most users who do not need those additions can stay on Free. Subscriptions can be purchased through the App Store, Google Play or @PremiumBot.

Platforms

Telegram supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, as well as an API. Desktop apps and multi-device support let users continue cloud chats across mobile and computer; Secret Chats, by contrast, are available only on the devices where they were sent or received.

Who it's for

Telegram is a strong fit for people coordinating across devices, running large groups or broadcasting to broad audiences. Businesses and small teams can draw on large groups, usernames, desktop apps, file sharing, bots and Mini Apps to connect communication with workflows. Developers get open APIs and payment features to build specialized tools.

It is less suitable when end-to-end encryption is expected in every conversation: that protection applies to Secret Chats, not cloud chats. It is also a poor fit for anyone unable to use a phone number for account setup, or for frequent file sharers who need uploads above 2 GB but do not want Premium.

Pros and cons

• Pro — Broad free core: Free includes unlimited cloud storage, calls, groups and channels, plus multiple devices and accounts, reducing the need to pay for everyday use.
• Pro — Room for large audiences: Groups support up to 200,000 members and channels have unlimited audiences, making Telegram suitable for communities and announcements at scale.
• Pro — Extensible platform: Bots, Mini Apps and open APIs give businesses and developers ways to connect services and workflows.
• Con — Cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted: Only Secret Chats use that encryption, so users must choose the chat type deliberately.
• Con — Phone number required: Account setup depends on a phone number, which excludes people seeking phone-free registration.
• Con — Free uploads stop at 2 GB: Larger files require Premium, whose price varies by country and purchase provider.

Alternatives

For other options, browse Secure Messaging Apps.

• Wire is worth considering if open-source code is a priority: Wire says its source code is fully open source and available on GitHub for verification.
• Olvid has a free plan billed forever, with unlimited messages and attachments, secure group discussions, ephemeral messages and multiple platforms; choose it if those are the capabilities you want in a free service.
• Crypho offers a free personal plan with encrypted calls and video calls, but limits it to one group and files up to 3 MB. Its Pro Plan costs €379 a month, so it is a different fit for users whose needs exceed that free allowance.
• Jami is a free option across mobile, desktop, web and API platforms.
• Viber offers free messaging and calls to Viber users; Viber Out uses prepaid credit or a subscription, with rates varying by destination.
• Delta Chat is free and open-source software for readers who want that model.
• Signal provides free messaging and calling, with a mobile account required for desktop use.
• SimpleX Chat is a free option across mobile, desktop, API and self-hosted platforms.

Verdict

Choose Telegram if you want a free, multi-device messaging service that can also handle large groups, unlimited-audience channels and developer-built integrations. Its breadth is the main reason to pick it; the main reason to look elsewhere is that end-to-end encryption is limited to Secret Chats rather than cloud chats.