Online 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, Zulip and WhatsApp.

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, 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. Element icon

    Element

     779 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.

    302 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    12
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to Telegram
    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.

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    FiTekno
    Positive
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 12 comments
    Element icon
    Element icon
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Wire icon

    Wire

     315 likes

    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.

    282 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Telegram
    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).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Wire icon
    Wire icon
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     387 likes

    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.

    166 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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    1
    Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Telegram
    LeSnake
    Negative
    11

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

    Matrix icon
    Matrix icon
    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  5. Ad
  6. Stoat Chat icon

    Stoat Chat

     108 likes

    Stoat (previously Revolt) is a chat platform that puts users first. With text & voice channels, video calling, screen sharing, permissions, mod tools, bots & more. Join any community or build one just the way you like it. It also respects your privacy.

    45 Stoat Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • GitHub
    User settings page, on "Appearance" tab
     
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    2
    Comments about Stoat Chat as an Alternative to Telegram
    aolko
    Negative
    0

    Discord alternative, not telegram

    sedeti
    Negative
    0

    An alternative to discord not telegram ??

    Stoat Chat icon
    Stoat Chat icon
    • Stoat Chat is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  7. Threema icon

    Threema

     137 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.

    122 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
    Comments about Threema as an Alternative to Telegram
    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 icon
    Threema icon
    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  8. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     267 likes

    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.

    221 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
    Comments about Zulip as an Alternative to Telegram
    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 icon
    Zulip icon
    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  10. 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
    Comments about WhatsApp as an Alternative to Telegram
    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 icon
    WhatsApp icon
    • WhatsApp is Free and ProprietaryTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  11. 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.

    76 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
    Comments about Keybase as an Alternative to Telegram
    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 icon
    Keybase icon
    • Keybase is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  12. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 likes

    FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    • Matrix.org
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
  13. Echoed icon

    Echoed

     20 likes

    Full-fledged Discord alternative. The communication platform for gamers and those who want to get rid of Discord. Written in tauri, very lightweight.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Chat Channels
     
  15. Infomaniak kMeet icon

    Infomaniak kMeet

     23 likes

    kMeet is an unlimited, free, Swiss solution for organising encrypted video-conferences.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Infomaniak kMeet screenshot 1
     
12 of 96 Telegram alternatives