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Software · head to head

HiBob vs Telegram

HiBob logo

HiBob

Software

Modern HR for modern businesses

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Telegram logo

Telegram

Software

Pure instant messaging — simple, fast, secure, and synced across all your devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Telegram has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HiBob pricing not publicly displayed; requires contacting sales for custom quote; Telegram end-to-end encryption applies only to Secret Chats; private and group Cloud Chats use server-client encryption, so Telegram holds the data
  • They diverge on capability: HiBob covers Core HR, Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HiBob and Telegram actually diverge.

Attributes where HiBob and Telegram differ
AttributeHiBobTelegram
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20152013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HiBob

  • Core HR
  • Onboarding
  • Time Off Management
  • Performance Management
  • Compensation
  • People Analytics
  • Engagement
  • Slack

Only in Telegram

  • Cloud-based messaging
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Self-destructing messages
  • Large group chats
  • Voice and video calls
  • Bot platform
  • Channels and broadcasts
  • Cross-platform sync

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HiBob

  • Core HR system of record with automated workflowsnot Telegram
  • Performance management, learning and skills trackingnot Telegram
  • US and UK payroll, benefits and time trackingnot Telegram
  • Workforce planning and compensation review cyclesnot Telegram
  • Employee self-service for a distributed workforcenot Telegram

Telegram

  • Group messaging and large channels with files of any type and sizenot HiBob
  • Private device-bound conversations with self-destructing messagesnot HiBob
  • Running bots and broadcast channels for an audiencenot HiBob

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HiBob

  • Pricing not publicly displayed; requires contacting sales for custom quote
  • Limited payroll functionality compared to dedicated payroll platforms
  • Smaller integration ecosystem compared to larger HR platforms

Telegram

  • End-to-end encryption applies only to Secret Chats; private and group Cloud Chats use server-client encryption, so Telegram holds the data
  • Secret Chats are device-specific and are not part of the Telegram cloud, so they can only be read on the device they started on
  • Logging out destroys all of your Secret Chats
  • The Secret Chat self-destruct timer applies only to messages sent after the timer is set and has no effect on earlier messages
  • Telegram states screenshot detection cannot be guaranteed on some Android and Windows Phone devices, so screenshots of Secret Chats can be taken silently
  • Messages cannot be forwarded out of Secret Chats
  • The self-destruct timer in cloud chats covers media only, not text

Pricing, plan by plan

HiBob

On request
  • Bob$undefined/month
    • Core HR
    • Onboarding
    • Time Off

Telegram

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited messages
    • 2GB file sharing
    • Group chats up to 200K members
  • Telegram Premium$4.99/month
    • Everything in Free
    • 4GB file uploads
    • Faster downloads

Which should you pick?

Choose HiBob if

  • You need core hr.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want onboarding.
HiBob review

Choose Telegram if

  • You need cloud-based messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want end-to-end encryption.
Telegram review

Questions people ask

Is HiBob or Telegram better?
Neither clearly leads. HiBob starts at On request and Telegram at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HiBob or Telegram?
Telegram has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for HiBob and Free for Telegram.
Does HiBob or Telegram run on more platforms?
HiBob runs on Web, iOS, Android. Telegram runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Telegram for free?
Yes. Telegram has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HiBob starts at On request.
What is HiBob best used for?
HiBob is most often used for core hr system of record with automated workflows, performance management, learning and skills tracking, us and uk payroll, benefits and time tracking, workforce planning and compensation review cycles. Of those, core hr system of record with automated workflows and performance management, learning and skills tracking are not what Telegram is typically brought in for.
What can HiBob do that Telegram cannot?
HiBob covers Core HR, Onboarding, Time Off Management, Performance Management. Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, End-to-end encryption, Self-destructing messages, Large group chats. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HiBob: What modules does HiBob include?

HiBob includes Core HR, Time & Attendance, Performance & Goals, Compensation Management, Global Operations, and Analytics modules that can be selected based on organizational needs.

Source
HiBob: How is HiBob pricing calculated?

HiBob pricing is customized based on company size (1-49, 50-199, 200-999, or 1,000+ employees) and the specific modules selected. Pricing is on a per-employee basis.

Source
HiBob: Does HiBob offer a mobile app?

Yes, HiBob includes mobile app access as part of all plans, allowing employees to manage their HR tasks on the go.

Source
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Related pages

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