Telegram Alternatives

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, iPhone, Windows, Web-based and iPad 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.

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, Android + Free 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

     267 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.

    225 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. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     851 likes

    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    251 WhatsApp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
     
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    6
    WhatsApp vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Hasan Yildiz
    0

    It will be defeated by a strong opponent like Telegram. Telegram is also more user friendly.

    Top Negative Comment
    Centaro
    18

    Too many limitations and is owned by Facebook.

    Planetjunkie
    Negative
    2

    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...)

    3 of 6 comments
    • WhatsApp is Free and ProprietaryTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     63 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.

    79 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
  8. Rakuten Viber icon

    Rakuten Viber

     335 likes

    Offers secure messaging with end-to-end encryption, unlimited free calls, group chats for up to 250 members, rich media sharing, emoji reactions, AR lenses, self-destruct messages, affordable international calls, community channels, and robust privacy across devices.

    164 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Rakuten Viber vs Telegram Comments
    Hasan Yildiz
    Positive
    0

    It may cause hesitation as it is not open source. It should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

    • Rakuten Viber is Freemium and ProprietaryTelegram is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Rakuten Viber is Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  10. 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.

    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
  11. 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].

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
    |
    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 Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  12. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 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.

    188 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
     
  13. Echoed icon

    Echoed

     20 likes

    Lightweight communication platform with unlimited channels, seamless voice and video, screen sharing, private file sharing, advanced task and calendar tools, robust privacy features, emoji and thread support, and multi-platform efficiency for gaming or team communities.

    57 Echoed alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Chat Channels
     
  15. 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
     
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