Softwr

Software · head to head

Telegram vs Twist

Telegram logo

Telegram

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Twist logo

Twist

Software

Distraction-free team communication

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Telegram end-to-end encryption applies only to Secret Chats; private and group Cloud Chats use server-client encryption, so Telegram holds the data; Twist the free plan only exposes the last 1 month of comments and messages; older history is hidden until you upgrade
  • They diverge on capability: Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, Twist covers Topic-based chat.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Telegram and Twist actually diverge.

Attributes where Telegram and Twist differ
AttributeTelegramTwist
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android
Founded20132014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 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

Only in Twist

  • Topic-based chat
  • Threading
  • File attachments
  • Search
  • Notifications control
  • Integrations
  • Mobile apps
  • Slack

Both cover

  • Zapier
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

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

Telegram

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

Twist

  • Asynchronous threaded team communication for distributed teamsnot Telegram
  • Keeping decisions in searchable threads rather than a real time chat streamnot Telegram
  • Coordinating across time zones without expecting immediate repliesnot Telegram

Where each one falls short

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

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

Twist

  • The free plan only exposes the last 1 month of comments and messages; older history is hidden until you upgrade
  • The free plan caps integrations at 5 and file storage at 5 GB
  • Full message history, unlimited integrations, unlimited storage and priority support all require the Unlimited plan at US$6 per user per month
  • Both plans cap the workspace at 500 internal member accounts and 500 external guest accounts

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Twist

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited topics
    • Message history
    • File sharing
  • Pro$5/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Advanced search
    • API access

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Twist if

  • You need topic-based chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want threading.
Twist review

Questions people ask

Is Telegram or Twist better?
Neither clearly leads. Telegram starts at Free and Twist at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Telegram or Twist?
Telegram starts at Free and Twist at Free.
Does Telegram or Twist run on more platforms?
Telegram runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Twist runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
Can I use Telegram for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Telegram best used for?
Telegram is most often used for group messaging and large channels with files of any type and size, private device-bound conversations with self-destructing messages, running bots and broadcast channels for an audience. Of those, group messaging and large channels with files of any type and size and private device-bound conversations with self-destructing messages are not what Twist is typically brought in for.
What can Telegram do that Twist cannot?
Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, End-to-end encryption, Self-destructing messages, Large group chats. Twist covers Topic-based chat, Threading, File attachments, Search. Both handle Zapier, Cloud deployment, Web support, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Telegram

More on Twist

Keep looking

Other head to heads