The Best Telegram AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like Telegram
Telegram is described as 'Experience instant messaging with remarkable speed and robust security. Join massive group chats or channels. Enjoy free and advanced features' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Telegram for a variety of platforms, including Android, Windows, iPhone, Mac and Linux apps. The best Telegram alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Telegram are Element, Tox, Wire and Matrix.
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Telegram alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows + Free. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Telegram.- Instant Messenger
- Freemium • Proprietary
- 219 Signal alternatives
An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Telegram
Comment summary: Telegram is admired for its user-friendly design, cloud messaging, and versatile features like bots, but concerns exist about ads and privacy compared to Signal. Signal is favored for its end-to-end encryption and privacy focus, being fully open-source. Some users argue Signal is not an alternative to Telegram due to the latter's cloud-based functionality. While both are seen as secure, Signal prioritizes privacy, offering features like default e2e encryption and no cloud storage of conversations.Top Positive CommentTop Negative Commentcan't use signal without smartphone. (scan qr-code bla-bla-bla...)
Most Recent CommentDoodlePoddleNot a Telegram alternative since it doesn't offer Telegram's core function, the cloud.
So Signal can only be compared to Whatsapp and other old style messengers.
- 302 Element alternatives
Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- Cloudron
Comments about Element as an Alternative to Telegram
Comment summary: Element is praised for its decentralization and privacy features, as well as strong encryption and versatility provided by the Matrix protocol. However, users note Element's lower user base compared to more popular platforms like Telegram, which limits its appeal despite its potential. Some also criticize its less intuitive UI and occasional encryption issues, suggesting it needs more development to become widely popular.Top Positive CommentSam LanderElement is a good privacy chat that you can host yourself. However, not many people use it compared to Signal or Telegram.
Most Recent CommentcalkeshElement 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.
FiTeknoI 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.
- 213 Tox alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Telegram
rrhyastUgly UI and less user friendly
CentaroP2P encrypted communication
- 280 Wire alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Switzerland
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Telegram
Top Positive Commentcityroleralways End-to-End encrypted; servers in the EU; high quality audio and video calls;
Most Recent CommentgnudesignPrivacy and security focused, lot of features but way behind Telegram's user experience design.
It is fully open source instead Telegram (server and client).
- 162 Matrix alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- WebRTC
- Python
- JavaScript
- Go (Programming Language)
- Cloudron
- Java
- Perl
Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Telegram
LeSnakeMatrix is a protocol used by i.e. Element, not a messenger iself
- 122 Pidgin alternatives
Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
Top Pidgin Features
- 160 Jami alternatives
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Canada
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Comments about Jami as an Alternative to Telegram
UsernameUnDecentralized and encrypted. Available on all major devices. There is video conferencing and the ability to show a desktop.
Signal has end-to-end encryption by default, Telegram does not. Signal does not store your conversations and files in the cloud, Telegram does.