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Software · head to head

Telegram vs WhatsApp

Telegram logo

Telegram

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WhatsApp logo

WhatsApp

Software

Simple. Reliable. Private.

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; WhatsApp consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply
  • They diverge on capability: Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, WhatsApp covers Text messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Telegram and WhatsApp actually diverge.

Attributes where Telegram and WhatsApp differ
AttributeTelegramWhatsApp
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android
Founded20132009

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
  • Self-destructing messages
  • Large group chats
  • Voice and video calls
  • Bot platform
  • Channels and broadcasts
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Bot API

Only in WhatsApp

  • Text messaging
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • Group chats
  • Status updates
  • File sharing
  • Voice messages
  • Location sharing

Both cover

  • End-to-end encryption
  • 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 WhatsApp
  • Private device-bound conversations with self-destructing messagesnot WhatsApp
  • Running bots and broadcast channels for an audiencenot WhatsApp

WhatsApp

  • Personal messagingnot Telegram
  • Family communicationnot Telegram
  • Business communicationnot Telegram
  • Group coordinationnot Telegram
  • International callingnot 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

WhatsApp

  • Consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply

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

WhatsApp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats up to 1024 people

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 self-destructing messages.
Telegram review

Choose WhatsApp if

  • You need text messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want voice calls.
WhatsApp review

Questions people ask

Is Telegram or WhatsApp better?
Neither clearly leads. Telegram starts at Free and WhatsApp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Telegram or WhatsApp?
Telegram starts at Free and WhatsApp at Free.
Does Telegram or WhatsApp run on more platforms?
Telegram runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. WhatsApp 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 WhatsApp is typically brought in for.
What can Telegram do that WhatsApp cannot?
Telegram covers Cloud-based messaging, Self-destructing messages, Large group chats, Voice and video calls. WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Voice calls, Video calls, Group chats. Both handle End-to-end encryption, Cloud deployment, Web support, Windows support.
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