Telegram Alternatives

Telegram is described as 'messaging app created by former VK creators with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful' and is a leading Encrypted Chat app in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Telegram for a variety of platforms, including Android, Windows, Linux, Mac and iPhone. The best alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Telegram are Element, Tox, Wire and Matrix.org.

Telegram alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Encrypted Chat Apps or Group Chat Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Telegram.

This page was last updated

1936

Freemium • Proprietary
Encrypted Chat App

Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Linux Mobile
Android Wear
PortableApps.com
FreeBSD

Telegram is a messaging app created by former VK creators with a focus on speed and security. It’s...

Learn more about Telegram

Signal
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Flathub
Ubuntu
Debian
200 alternatives to Signal
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
Suggest and vote on features
Signal Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSignal has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSignal is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeSignal doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Self Destructing MessagesSignal supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. No TrackingSignal will not track you or use your personal data.
6. VoiP CallsSignal allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
7. Dark ModeSignal supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. LightweightSignal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Works OfflineSignal can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Security focused
GPLv3
Encrypted Connection
Private messaging
Mobile friendly
Secure Chat
Stickers
Based on phone number
Protected by Password
Desktop Application
Signal vs Telegram opinions
Most users think Signal is a great alternative to Telegram.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
JohnFastman
Signal uses open source, end-to-end encryption to keep your messages to another Signal user secure and private. It installs on your Android and replaces your default messaging app. (On iPhone it's a separate app.) It's super easy to use. You can still send messages to people who don't have it, but I'd encourage everyone to use it. Plain SMS messages are routinely recorded and stored forever without your persmission. Signal combats that in a very user friendly way.
Top positive comment•
17

Guest
Is a Open Source project App and also Server
Top positive comment•
0

someATuser
Signal is not an alternative since Telegram is a cloud messenger, so totally different.
Top negative comment•
-1

jdakfkj333
Signal is completely open source. I still prefer Telegram, because it gives me ability to delete chats for everyone, very fast upload/download rates, bots, etc.

But if you need something a bit more privacy-oriented, such as doing work in another country, then Signal may be safer.
Positive comment•
0

dartstarget
good option for time spending
Positive comment•
0

Show more comments ▾
5 of 21 comments
Element
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Cloudron
F-Droid
FLATHUB
266 alternatives to Element
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
Suggest and vote on features
Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
7. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Ad-freeElement doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Community-based
Per-room avatars
Multiple languages
Custom widgets
Message redaction
Element vs Telegram opinions
Almost everyone thinks Element is a great alternative to Telegram.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Free software running on the server and the client. Syndicated service lets you run your own server and connect with others.
Top positive comment•
6

Guest
Cloud base with good features and awful UI!
Top positive comment•
6

calkesh
Element is severely lacking in uptake. It could be the best messenger in the world (and may well be) but ultimately, if I can't talk to my friends on there, there's no incentive for me to use it.
Top negative comment•
-2

jdakfkj333
Element is a good privacy chat that you can host yourself. However, not many people use it compared to Signal or Telegram.
Positive comment•
0

FiTekno
I like this because of fact its purpose is to be decentralized. however time shows as knowledge is needed to bridges be made from other platforms.
Positive comment•
0

Show more comments ▾
5 of 12 comments
Tox
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
F-Droid
180 alternatives to Tox
With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.
Suggest and vote on features
Tox Features
1. DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
Peer-To-Peer
Security focused
Multiplatform
P2P Network
Built-in player
GPLv3
White-labeled
Video Conferencing
Client side encryption
VoiP Calls
Tox vs Telegram opinions
Almost everyone thinks Tox is a great alternative to Telegram.
rrhyast
Ugly UI and less user friendly
Negative comment•
1

Centaro
P2P encrypted communication
Positive comment•
1
Wire
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
Software as a Service (SaaS)
257 alternatives to Wire
Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.
Suggest and vote on features
Wire Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionWire has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. VoiP CallsWire allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
3. Screen SharingYou can use Wire to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Privacy focusedWire is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Multiple Account supportWire support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Security focused
Encrypted calls
Voice Chat
File Sending
Voice messages
WebRTC
Private Chat
Secure Chat
Integrated File Sharing
Secure File Sharing
Wire vs Telegram opinions
Almost everyone thinks Wire is a great alternative to Telegram.
cityroler
always End-to-End encrypted; servers in the EU; high quality audio and video calls;
Top positive comment•
10

Guest
Multiplatform, chat, audio and video calling with great quality and: Clientside is already open source and they are currently working on completely opensourcing the serverside too. Great application.
Top positive comment•
7

gnudesign
Privacy and security focused, lot of features but way behind Telegram's user experience design.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
It is fully open source instead Telegram (server and client).
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Always end-to-end encrypted. Fully open source.
Positive comment•
6
Matrix.org
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
WebRTC
Python
JavaScript
Go (Programming Language)
Cloudron
Java
Perl
131 alternatives to Matrix.org
Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.
Suggest and vote on features
Matrix.org Features
1. DecentralizedMatrix.org is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionMatrix.org has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedMatrix.org is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Ad-freeMatrix.org doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. No TrackingMatrix.org will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Multiple Account supportMatrix.org support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Matrix.org simultaneously.
Federation
Distributed
Security focused
Spaces
Chat Bot
Voice Chat
Support for Multiple protocols
WebRTC
Server side history
Matrix.org vs Telegram opinions
Almost everyone thinks Matrix.org is a great alternative to Telegram.
LeSnake
Matrix is a protocol used by i.e. Element, not a messenger iself
Negative comment•
4
Jami
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
141 alternatives to Jami
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Suggest and vote on features
Jami Features
1. DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. No TrackingJami will not track you or use your personal data.
Video Conferencing
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
SIP client
Team Messaging
Multiple languages
Distributed
SIP
Intercom Support
Voice Chat
Jami vs Telegram opinions
Almost everyone thinks Jami is a great alternative to Telegram.
UsernameUn
Decentralized and encrypted. Available on all major devices. There is video conferencing and the ability to show a desktop.
Positive comment•
1
Pidgin
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
IRC Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Xfce
117 alternatives to Pidgin
Pidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more chat networks all at once. It has built-in support for NSS, offering client-to-server message encryption for protocols that support it.
Suggest and vote on features
Pidgin Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPidgin can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Multiple Account supportPidgin support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
3. VoiP CallsPidgin allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
4. PortablePidgin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Support for Multiple protocols
Supports XMPP
IRC
Multiple languages
Multiple chat protocols
Messages
Xmpp
Pidgin vs Telegram opinions
Almost everyone thinks Pidgin is a great alternative to Telegram.
WhatsApp
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Wear
240 alternatives to WhatsApp
WhatsApp is an iPhone and Android messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.
Suggest and vote on features
WhatsApp Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionWhatsApp has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Dark ModeWhatsApp supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Two-factor AuthenticationWhatsApp supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
4. Support for @mentionsWhatsApp supports the use of mentions through @ to a particular user, who will be notified personally.
5. VoiP CallsWhatsApp allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
6. Expiring StoriesYou can create, view, interact and share temporary stories in WhatsApp.
Mobile friendly
Custom Backgrounds
Stickers
Voice messages
Multiple languages
Data export/import
Data transfer
Push to talk
Push Notifications
Data-management
WhatsApp vs Telegram opinions
This alternative is disputed. WhatsApp is still a legitimate alternative to Telegram, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
hasanyildiz
It will be defeated by a strong opponent like Telegram. Telegram is also more user friendly.
Top positive comment•
0

Guest
it is not hosted virtually... you cannot access data once it got downloaded on other devices later... plus very limited on sizes and what can be uploaded... tons of limits on so much...

for true user of telegram, whatsapp fail to compete.... imagine having group, in telegram, the new members can see the old messages...

man way not same level even if same category
Top negative comment•
31

Planetjunkie
absolutely unsecure, E2EE is questionable, and Facebook are planning on implementing a feature to decrypt messages for advertisers (as if that was not a thing since they acquired whatsapp...)
Negative comment•
0

Centaro
Too many limitations and is owned by Facebook.
Negative comment•
15

Guest
WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted and relies on the Signal protocol to protect the user's privacy while Telegram uses its own custom encryption algorithm, which is a big flaw in cryptography. Telegram only fully encrypts communications when starting a "secret chat", but the default conversations are not secured.
Positive comment•
-7

Show more comments ▾
5 of 6 comments
Keybase
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Team Collaboration Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
iPad
Ruby
JavaScript
Tor
Go (Programming Language)
Java
63 alternatives to Keybase
Keybase is a new and free security app for mobile phones and computers. For the geeks among us: it's open source and powered by public-key cryptography.
Suggest and vote on features
Keybase Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionKeybase has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. PGP EncryptionKeybase supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
3. Git SupportKeybase supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
4. Self Destructing MessagesKeybase supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. Encrypted BackupKeybase uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
6. GPG EncryptionKeybase supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
7. Ad-freeKeybase doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Two-Step verification
Security focused
Public key encryption
Git integration
File Storage
Electron based
GitHub integration
Private repositories
Ruby
Facebook integration
Keybase vs Telegram opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
everything is encrypted and gives cloud drive, git, a stellar wallet other than a chat
Positive comment•
0
Zulip
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Self-Hosted
218 alternatives to Zulip
Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.
Suggest and vote on features
Zulip Features
1. Support for MarkDownZulip supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Syntax HighlightingZulip supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
Threaded Conversations
Support for Hotkeys
Community-based
Integrated File Sharing
Chat Bot
Code Syntax Highlighting
GitHub integration
Secure Chat
Third party integrations
Chat organizer
Zulip vs Telegram opinions