Open Source Telegram Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Telegram is Signal. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Telegram and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Telegram are Element, Tox, Wire and Matrix.

filter to find the best alternatives

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 Online, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux, Self-Hosted and Open Source. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Telegram.
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Alternatives list

  1. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     268 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    233 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Zulip vs Telegram Comments
    PlaidRadish
    Positive
    0

    Zulip is actually a better alternative to Telegram because it has security that is hosted on public or private servers, using an open source application. This app and its features are far more beneficial to organizations as a better, more secure, more feature-rich alternative to Telegram.

    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zulip is Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  2. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     74 likes

    Provides a chat experience over email, with all messages and contacts stored on user devices, open source code, group media support, and compatibility with any provider. No central servers, no tracking, works without SIM, and can be used by anyone just via email.

    82 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
  6. Keybase icon

    Keybase

     142 likes

    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.

    79 Keybase alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Ruby
    • JavaScript
    • Tor
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Java
    Keybase screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Keybase vs Telegram Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    everything is encrypted and gives cloud drive, git, a stellar wallet other than a chat

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Keybase is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Keybase is Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  7. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     40 likes

    Encrypted messenger supporting multi-platform access, unlimited group and private chats, file and voice message sharing, decentralized operation, open-source code, custom themes including dark mode, advanced moderation, push notifications, and no advertisements.

    192 FluffyChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
  9. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes

    Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].

    160 Conversations alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Conversations vs Telegram Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Has crypto by default. Is decentral/federated so not to block or shutdown.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Conversations is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Conversations is Decentralized and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  11. ArcaneChat icon

    ArcaneChat

     15 likes

    ArcaneChat is a Delta Chat client and was created with a focus on usability, good user experience, and saving data plan. Also the app usually experiments with new features that eventually might get added to the official Delta Chat client.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    ArcaneChat screenshot 1
     
  12. Session icon

    Session

     128 likes

    Decentralized messenger featuring end-to-end encryption for individual and group chats, no registration needed, no tracking or metadata logs, IP address protection, secure attachment sharing, multi-device sync, dark mode, open-source code, and ad-free use.

    74 Session alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Session screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Session vs Telegram Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1
    1. Session does not require a phone number unlike telegram.
    2. Unless you create a seperate secret chat, telegram has acess to your chats.
    3. Telegram isn't an open source software.
    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Ryan Balloway
    Positive
    5

    fork of signal. much better privacy due to decentralized servers. great telegram alternative.

    Greg Brinter
    Positive
    3

    similar features but more privtate

    • Session is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Session is Decentralized and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  13. Forkgram icon

    Forkgram

     11 likes

    Fork Client is a fork of the official Telegram for Android application.

    25 Forkgram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
     
  14. Infomaniak kMeet icon

    Infomaniak kMeet

     23 likes

    Encrypted video meetings with unlimited participants, screen sharing, recording with secure storage, no data sale or registration, chat, reactions, calendar and background features, hosted entirely in Switzerland on renewable energy and compliant with strict privacy laws.

    91 Infomaniak kMeet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Infomaniak kMeet screenshot 1
     
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