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Software · head to head

Telegram vs Webex by Cisco

Telegram logo

Telegram

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Webex by Cisco logo

Webex by Cisco

Software

A simpler, smarter way to work

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; Webex by Cisco listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)
  • They diverge on capability: Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Telegram and Webex by Cisco actually diverge.

Attributes where Telegram and Webex by Cisco differ
AttributeTelegramWebex by Cisco
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Founded20131984

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android), 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 Webex by Cisco

  • Video and audio conferencing
  • Screen sharing and annotation
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Recording and playback
  • Meeting transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Breakout sessions

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 Webex by Cisco
  • Private device-bound conversations with self-destructing messagesnot Webex by Cisco
  • Running bots and broadcast channels for an audiencenot Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco

  • Video conferencingnot Telegram
  • Webinarsnot Telegram
  • Virtual eventsnot Telegram
  • Trainingnot Telegram
  • Enterprise communicationnot 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

Webex by Cisco

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

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

Webex by Cisco

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited 1:1 meetings
    • Group meetings (40 min limit, 100 participants)
    • HD video
  • Pro$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings (500 participants)
    • Cloud recording and storage
    • Advanced scheduling
  • Business$18/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced security
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom deployment

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 Webex by Cisco if

  • You need video and audio conferencing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want screen sharing and annotation.
Webex by Cisco review

Questions people ask

Is Telegram or Webex by Cisco better?
Neither clearly leads. Telegram starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Telegram or Webex by Cisco?
Telegram starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free.
Does Telegram or Webex by Cisco run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Webex by Cisco is typically brought in for.
What can Telegram do that Webex by Cisco cannot?
Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, End-to-end encryption, Self-destructing messages, Large group chats. Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Screen sharing and annotation, Virtual backgrounds, Recording and playback.
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