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Software · head to head

OneSignal vs Telegram

O

OneSignal

Software

Customer engagement and messaging, without the complexity

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: OneSignal free plan email sends cap at 10,000 per month and web push is capped at 10,000 subscribers per send, per onesignal.com/pricing (Aug 2026); Telegram end-to-end encryption applies only to Secret Chats; private and group Cloud Chats use server-client encryption, so Telegram holds the data

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OneSignal and Telegram actually diverge.

Attributes where OneSignal and Telegram differ
AttributeOneSignalTelegram
PlatformsWebWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 OneSignal

Nothing recorded that Telegram does not also cover.

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.

OneSignal

No use cases recorded yet. See the OneSignal review.

Telegram

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

Where each one falls short

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

OneSignal

  • Free plan email sends cap at 10,000 per month and web push is capped at 10,000 subscribers per send, per onesignal.com/pricing (Aug 2026)
  • Professional and Enterprise plans require custom annual contracts with no published rate, per onesignal.com; SMS/RCS messaging and dedicated IPs are gated behind the Professional tier

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

OneSignal

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OneSignal review.

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 OneSignal if

  • You want to start without paying.
OneSignal 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 OneSignal or Telegram better?
Neither clearly leads. OneSignal 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, OneSignal or Telegram?
OneSignal starts at Free and Telegram at Free.
Does OneSignal or Telegram run on more platforms?
OneSignal runs on Web. Telegram runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use OneSignal for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can OneSignal do that Telegram cannot?
Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, End-to-end encryption, Self-destructing messages, Large group chats.
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Related pages

More on OneSignal

More on Telegram

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