Telegram vs SimpleX Chat

Telegram9.1Visit SimpleX Chat8.6Visit

Higher score Telegram #2 in WhatsApp Alternatives 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Telegram

vs

SimpleX Chat #6 in WhatsApp Alternatives 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit SimpleX Chat

• Telegram fits best

  Large communities and cross-device messaging

• SimpleX Chat fits best

  Privacy-minded users avoiding phone-number identities

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Side by side

Feature	Telegram 9.1/10 Visit ↗	SimpleX Chat 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.6
Ranking	#2 in WhatsApp Alternatives	#6 in WhatsApp Alternatives
Best for	Large communities and cross-device messaging	Privacy-minded users avoiding phone-number identities
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Tickets, Docs, Community	Email, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Telegram 2/5 · SimpleX Chat 2/5
Default E2E encryption	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Desktop apps	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Multi-device support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Voice and video calls	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Open source	✓	✓
Specs
Max group size	200000 members	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free messaging syncs across web, desktop and mobile Groups support up to 200,000 members, alongside broadcast channels Bots, usernames and an open API support flexible extensions	Connect without user profile identifiers. Encrypts messages, media, calls, and local chat storage. Offers apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Cons	End-to-end encryption applies to Secret Chats, not regular cloud chats Secret Chats are device-specific and are not stored in the cloud Premium pricing varies by country, app store and payment provider	Current groups are described as suitable for relatively small groups. Backups can be unencrypted, depending on provider and configuration. A future freemium model is discussed, so the free model may change.
Our verdict	Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app for individuals, communities, businesses and small teams. It combines private messaging with groups, broadcast channels, voice and video calls, file sharing, bots and usernames. Free accounts can… Read the review →	SimpleX Chat is an open-source messaging application for people who want private conversations without user profile identifiers. It supports encrypted text, files and media, voice messages, voice and video calls, disappearing messages, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Telegram — where it wins

  • Free messaging syncs across web, desktop and mobile
  • Groups support up to 200,000 members, alongside broadcast channels
  • Bots, usernames and an open API support flexible extensions

  Where it doesn't

  • End-to-end encryption applies to Secret Chats, not regular cloud chats
  • Secret Chats are device-specific and are not stored in the cloud
  • Premium pricing varies by country, app store and payment provider

• SimpleX Chat — where it wins

  • Connect without user profile identifiers.
  • Encrypts messages, media, calls, and local chat storage.
  • Offers apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  Where it doesn't

  • Current groups are described as suitable for relatively small groups.
  • Backups can be unencrypted, depending on provider and configuration.
  • A future freemium model is discussed, so the free model may change.

• Telegram9.1/10 · Free plan

  A broad messaging app for communities, with end-to-end encryption confined to Secret Chats.

  Visit TelegramFull verdict →
• SimpleX Chat8.6/10 · Free plan

  Private messaging across mobile and desktop, with encrypted calls and identifier-free connections.

  Visit SimpleX ChatFull verdict →