Web-based Telegram Alternatives

There are many alternatives to Telegram as a web app if you are looking for a replacement. The best Online alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Wire. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Telegram and loads of them are available as a web app so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Online alternatives to Telegram are Stoat Chat, Threema, WhatsApp and Zulip.

filter to find the best alternatives

Telegram alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Instant Messengers or Video Calling Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Online, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux, Windows + Free and Kindle Fire. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Telegram.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     834 likes

    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.

    346 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Element screenshot 1
     
    |
    13
    Element vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Sam Lander
    2

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

    crayon-cod-usable
    Positive
    0

    Descentralized, FOSS, E2E, video and chat options

    calkesh
    Negative
    -3

    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.

    3 of 13 comments
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  2. Wire icon

    Wire

     333 likes

    Secure communication platform featuring encrypted chats and calls, file and media sharing, self-deleting messages, device verification, group collaboration, and customizable settings. Supports use across multiple devices with no phone number required for access.

    301 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Wire vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    cityroler
    10

    always End-to-End encrypted; servers in the EU; high quality audio and video calls;

    gnudesign
    Positive
    0

    Privacy and security focused, lot of features but way behind Telegram's user experience design.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is fully open source instead Telegram (server and client).

    3 of 5 comments
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  4. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     417 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    192 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    2
    Matrix vs Telegram Comments
    LeSnake
    Negative
    11

    Matrix is a protocol used by i.e. Element, not a messenger iself

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    A lot of people state that it is not an alternative. Yes. Yes it is. However, it is not a program, but a protocol. Listed on their site, multiple clients exist, that permit a creation of spaces (servers, basically), to which people that use the Matrix protocol (including its other clients) can connect to.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Decentralized, Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
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  6. Stoat Chat icon

    Stoat Chat

     142 likes

    Instant messaging platform supporting text and voice channels, live video calls, secure screen sharing, private group chats, customizable permissions, moderation tools, bot integration, privacy-focused design, open-source development, and cross-platform use.

    77 Stoat Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Rust
    • F-Droid
    Stoat Chat screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Stoat Chat vs Telegram Comments
    aolko
    Negative
    0

    Discord alternative, not telegram

    sedeti
    Negative
    0

    An alternative to discord not telegram ??

    • Stoat Chat is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Stoat Chat is a Group Chat Telegram is an Instant Messenger
    • Stoat Chat is Privacy focused and CustomizableTelegram is not according to our users
  8. Threema icon

    Threema

     147 likes

    Threema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.

    136 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Threema vs Telegram Comments
    John Fastman
    Positive
    0

    Proper end-to-end encryption makes Threema a good private way to communicate. But not as good as open source alternatives like Signal, for which you can check the source code. But Threema is way better than Facebook Messenger or 'Allo, which come from privacy-destroying companies.

    egami
    Positive
    0

    This is in my opinion the absolut number one if you are looking for privacy.

    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Threema is Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  9. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     857 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.

    269 WhatsApp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    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 Freemium and ProprietaryTelegram is also Freemium and Proprietary
  10. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     274 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.

    249 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
    |
    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
  11. Echoed icon

    Echoed

     25 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.

    79 Echoed alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Chat Channels
     
  12. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     43 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.

    207 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. Keybase icon

    Keybase

     145 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.

    78 Keybase alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

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

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

    • Keybase is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Keybase is an Encrypted Chat Telegram is an Instant Messenger
    • Keybase is Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  14. Armada icon

    Armada

     7 likes

    Open-source, end-to-end encrypted chat supporting decentralized, serverless communities and Concord. Features self-hosting, cryptographic login, encrypted text channels, threads, live voice and video rooms, compatibility with Nostr and other protocols, custom emojis, and GIFs.

    22 Armada alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    Armada screenshot 1
     
  15. Nextcloud Talk icon

    Nextcloud Talk

     35 likes

    Self-hosted communication platform with secure audio, video, chat, web conferencing, screensharing, advanced encryption, and metadata privacy, running on user-controlled servers, supporting web and mobile apps, and eliminating third-party data exposure.

    120 Nextcloud Talk alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Nextcloud
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • Chocolatey
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Homebrew
    Nextcloud Talk screenshot 1
     
12 of 112 Telegram alternatives