Head-to-head · Secure Messaging Apps
Delta Chat vs Telegram
Delta Chat leads on 0 checks, Telegram on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreDelta Chat · 8.7/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresTelegram · 4 of 4
Delta Chat scores higher on our rubric for secure messaging apps: 8.7 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.
Delta Chat is the better fit for free users needing a complete private messenger. Telegram is the better fit for large communities and bot-enabled messaging.
- Delta Chat fits best
Free users needing a complete private messenger
- Telegram fits best
Large communities and bot-enabled messaging
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Side by side
| Feature | Delta Chat 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | Telegram 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #5 in Secure Messaging Apps | #8 in Secure Messaging Apps |
| Best for | Free users needing a complete private messenger | Large communities and bot-enabled messaging |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs | Tickets, Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Delta Chat 1/4 · Telegram 4/4 | ||
| Encrypted backups | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Desktop apps | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Multi-device support | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Disappearing messages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Account requirement | Not checked yet | Phone |
| Maximum group size | Not checked yet | 200000 members |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Delta Chat is a free, open-source messaging app for people who want private conversations without a paid tier. It supports private group chats, one-to-many channels, file and media sharing, voice messages, and one-to-one audio and video… Read the review → |
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app for individuals, communities, businesses and small teams. Its free plan combines private messaging, groups and channels, cloud synchronization, and access through mobile, desktop and web apps. The… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Delta Chat — where it wins
- End-to-end encryption is enabled by default
- Supports groups, channels, calls, and disappearing messages
- Free, open source, and available across five major platforms
Where it doesn't
- Exported backups are described as unencrypted in a 2020 assessment
- Message transport depends on chatmail relays or email servers
- One-to-one calls do not include group calling
Telegram — where it wins
- Groups support up to 200,000 members
- Cloud chats sync across mobile, desktop and web
- Bots, channels, calls and file sharing cover broad use cases
Where it doesn't
- End-to-end encryption is limited to Secret Chats
- Secret Chats are device-specific and not stored in the cloud
- A phone is required to create an account
- Delta Chat8.7/10 · Free plan
A free, private messenger with encryption by default and a broad feature set.
Visit Delta ChatFull verdict → - Telegram8.4/10 · Free plan
A broad messaging app for large communities, multi-device chats and bot-enabled workflows.
Visit TelegramFull verdict →
More comparisons
All secure messaging apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update