Softwr

Communication · head to head

Naver Works vs Telegram

Naver Works logo

Naver Works

Communication

Korean and Japanese business messaging with mail, drive and approval workflows in one licence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Telegram logo

Telegram

Communication

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Naver Works the integration ecosystem is small by comparison with Slack or Microsoft Teams, so any workflow that depends on a long tail of third-party apps will need custom development against the Works API.; 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: Naver Works covers Messaging with LINE reach, Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Naver Works and Telegram actually diverge.

Attributes where Naver Works and Telegram differ
AttributeNaver WorksTelegram
Pricing modelPer user per monthfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOSWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Communication).

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 Naver Works

  • Messaging with LINE reach
  • Business mail
  • Drive
  • Electronic approval
  • Calendar and board
  • Clova Note
  • Admin and audit

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

What people use each for

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

Naver Works

  • A Japanese retailer whose customer service happens over LINE and needs those conversations inside an auditable corporate systemnot Telegram
  • A Korean company that needs electronic approval workflows in the local style rather than a generic chat tool with a form bolted onnot Telegram
  • The Seoul or Tokyo office of a multinational that needs a local-language collaboration tool alongside head office Microsoft 365not Telegram
  • A small team of under 30 people that wants free business messaging with a real upgrade path rather than a message history capnot Telegram

Telegram

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

Where each one falls short

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

Naver Works

  • The integration ecosystem is small by comparison with Slack or Microsoft Teams, so any workflow that depends on a long tail of third-party apps will need custom development against the Works API.
  • Documentation, support and most community knowledge are in Korean and Japanese; an English-speaking administrator will spend a lot of time in machine translation.
  • Pricing is published in Korean won and the buying experience assumes a Korean or Japanese business entity, which complicates procurement for a company incorporated elsewhere.
  • The Lite tier omits business email, so the plan that looks cheap is messaging only and the realistic entry point for most companies is Standard at more than double the price.
  • Clova Note transcription and several AI features are sold as separate line items rather than bundled, so the quoted per-user figure understates what a team using the full suite actually pays.

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

Naver Works

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 30 members
    • 5GB shared storage
    • Limited administration and audit features
  • Lite$3000/month
    • Unlimited members
    • 10GB storage per user
    • Messaging, calendar, board and address book
  • Standard$7000/month
    • 100GB storage per user
    • Business email included
    • Fuller administration and audit controls
  • Standard Plus$11000/month
    • 1TB drive per user
    • Larger mail quota
    • Monthly billing is 13,000 KRW

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 Naver Works if

  • You need messaging with line reach.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want business mail.
Naver Works 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 Naver Works or Telegram better?
Neither clearly leads. Naver Works starts at Free and Telegram at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Naver Works or Telegram?
Naver Works starts at Free and Telegram at Free.
Does Naver Works or Telegram run on more platforms?
Naver Works runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. Telegram runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Naver Works for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Naver Works best used for?
Naver Works is most often used for a japanese retailer whose customer service happens over line and needs those conversations inside an auditable corporate system, a korean company that needs electronic approval workflows in the local style rather than a generic chat tool with a form bolted on, the seoul or tokyo office of a multinational that needs a local-language collaboration tool alongside head office microsoft 365, a small team of under 30 people that wants free business messaging with a real upgrade path rather than a message history cap. Of those, a japanese retailer whose customer service happens over line and needs those conversations inside an auditable corporate system and a korean company that needs electronic approval workflows in the local style rather than a generic chat tool with a form bolted on are not what Telegram is typically brought in for.
What can Naver Works do that Telegram cannot?
Naver Works covers Messaging with LINE reach, Business mail, Drive, Electronic approval. Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, End-to-end encryption, Self-destructing messages, Large group chats.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Naver Works: Can Naver Works really message ordinary LINE users?

Yes. External connection with consumer LINE accounts is the feature that most differentiates it, and it is the main reason it sells in Japan.

Telegram: Does Telegram cost money?

Telegram is a completely free messaging application. There are no subscription plans, in-app purchases, or ads. The service is funded through cryptocurrency investments.

Source
Naver Works: Is Naver Works the same as LINE WORKS?

They are the same lineage under Works Mobile, marketed as Naver Works in Korea and LINE WORKS in Japan and other markets. Feature sets and pricing pages differ by region.

Naver Works: Is there a genuinely free tier?

Yes, capped at 30 members with 5GB of shared storage and reduced administration features. It does not expire.

Naver Works: Does it work for a company outside Korea and Japan?

Technically yes, but you are buying a regional product. Expect Korean or Japanese support, local billing and few connectors to Western SaaS.

Share

Related pages

More on Naver Works

More on Telegram

Keep looking

Other head to heads