Softwr

Webinars · head to head

Restream vs Telegram

Restream logo

Restream

Webinars

Multistream to 30+ platforms

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: Restream the free plan applies Restream branding to the stream; 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: Restream covers Multistreaming, Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Restream and Telegram actually diverge.

Attributes where Restream and Telegram differ
AttributeRestreamTelegram
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWebWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
CategoryWebinarsCommunication
Founded20152013

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

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 Restream

  • Multistreaming
  • Live studio
  • Chat aggregation
  • Analytics
  • Recording
  • YouTube
  • Twitch
  • Facebook

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.

Restream

  • Streaming one broadcast simultaneously to several platformsnot Telegram
  • Running live shows with guests and recording the outputnot Telegram

Telegram

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

Where each one falls short

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

Restream

  • The free plan applies Restream branding to the stream
  • Simultaneous destinations are rationed tightly, at 2 on free, 3 on Standard and 5 on Professional
  • Recording storage is 15 days on free and Standard, rising to 30 only on Professional
  • Reaching 8 destinations costs $199 a month on the Business plan
  • Resolution is not the differentiator, since every tier including free offers 4K, so the plans sell reach and retention instead

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

Restream

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Stream to 2 channels simultaneously
    • Includes Restream branding
  • Standard$19/month
    • Stream to 3 channels
    • No Restream branding
    • Guest channel support
  • Professional$49/month
    • Stream to 5 channels in Full HD 1080p
    • 4K recording capability
    • Dual format streaming (vertical and horizontal)
  • Business$239/month
    • Stream to 8 channels
    • Website player supporting 1,000 viewers
    • 2 included team seats with co-producer mode

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 Restream if

  • You need multistreaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want live studio.
Restream 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 Restream or Telegram better?
Neither clearly leads. Restream 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, Restream or Telegram?
Restream starts at Free and Telegram at Free.
Does Restream or Telegram run on more platforms?
Restream runs on Web. Telegram runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Restream for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Restream best used for?
Restream is most often used for streaming one broadcast simultaneously to several platforms, running live shows with guests and recording the output. Of those, streaming one broadcast simultaneously to several platforms and running live shows with guests and recording the output are not what Telegram is typically brought in for.
What can Restream do that Telegram cannot?
Restream covers Multistreaming, Live studio, Chat aggregation, Analytics. 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

Restream: How much does Restream cost?

Restream offers a free tier at $0/month, plus paid plans at $19/month (Standard), $49/month (Professional), and $239/month (Business). Enterprise pricing is available for media and corporate teams.

Source
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
Restream: Do I get a discount for annual billing?

Yes, Restream offers a 20% discount for annual commitments versus monthly billing on all paid tiers.

Source
Restream: How much does it cost to add team members?

Additional team seats are available at $25/seat/month for most tiers on Restream.

Source
Restream: What is the difference between the tiers?

Free tier streams to 2 channels with Restream branding. Standard streams to 3 channels ($19). Professional supports 5 channels with 1080p and 4K ($49). Business supports 8 channels with website player for 1,000 viewers ($239).

Source
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