Telegram Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Telegram for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Telegram and loads of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to 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 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. Signal icon

    Signal

     1463 likes

    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.

    246 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Android Auto
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    27
    Signal vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    John Fastman
    20

    Signal uses open source, end-to-end encryption to keep your messages to another Signal user secure and private. It installs on your Android and replaces your default messaging app. (On iPhone it's a separate app.) It's super easy to use. You can still send messages to people who don't have it, but I'd encourage everyone to use it. Plain SMS messages are routinely recorded and stored forever without your persmission. Signal combats that in a very user friendly way.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    24

    can't use signal without smartphone. (scan qr-code bla-bla-bla...)

    coffee415
    Positive
    1

    It's end-to-end encrypted by default and lightweight.

    3 of 27 comments
    • Signal is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  2. 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
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    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
  4. Tox icon

    Tox

     573 likes

    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.

    224 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
     
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    2
    Tox vs Telegram Comments
    rrhyast
    Negative
    2

    Ugly UI and less user friendly

    Centaro
    Positive
    1

    P2P encrypted communication

    • Tox is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Tox is Decentralized, Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
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  6. 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
  8. 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
  9. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1533 likes

    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.

    123 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    For accounts on multiple chat networks
     
  10. Jami icon

    Jami

     249 likes

    Open source decentralized communication platform supporting secure end-to-end encrypted calls, messaging, group conferencing, file and media sharing, SIP compatibility, multi-device sync, and strong privacy, available across desktop and mobile systems.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    1
    Jami vs Telegram Comments
    UsernameUn
    Positive
    1

    Decentralized and encrypted. Available on all major devices. There is video conferencing and the ability to show a desktop.

    • Jami is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jami is Decentralized and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  11. 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
  12. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     115 likes

    Open-source messaging platform enabling private, identifier-free chats, encrypted group discussions, file and media sharing, plus audio and video calls. Employs double-ratchet protocol, stores user data on-device, protects metadata, and lets users self-host relay servers.

    79 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  13. Briar icon

    Briar

     135 likes

    Censorship-resistant peer-to-peer messaging that bypasses centralized servers. Connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor, with privacy built-in.

    94 Briar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Briar screenshot 1
     
  14. 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
  15. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     87 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.

    87 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Linux Mobile
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Delta Chat vs Telegram Comments
    someoneisfaraway
    Positive
    0

    more resistant to blocking than Telegram

    • Delta Chat is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Delta Chat is Decentralized and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
12 of 110 Telegram alternatives