Head-to-head · Secure Messaging Apps
WhatsApp vs Telegram
WhatsApp 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 scoreWhatsApp · 9.3/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresTelegram · 4 of 4
WhatsApp scores higher on our rubric for secure messaging apps: 9.3 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
WhatsApp is the better fit for mainstream users and large groups. Telegram is the better fit for large communities and bot-enabled messaging.
- WhatsApp fits best
Mainstream users and large groups
- Telegram fits best
Large communities and bot-enabled messaging
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Side by side
| Feature | WhatsApp 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | Telegram 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #2 in Secure Messaging Apps | #8 in Secure Messaging Apps |
| Best for | Mainstream users and large groups | 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 | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Docs | Tickets, Docs, Community |
| Compliance | 2FA | GDPR, 2FA |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features WhatsApp 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 | WhatsApp is a free messaging and calling application for phones, tablets, computers, and web browsers. It suits mainstream users, families, communities, and large groups that want text, photo, video, document, location, voice, 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
WhatsApp — where it wins
- End-to-end encryption covers personal messages and calls by default
- Groups support up to 1,024 members with voice and video calls
- Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Where it doesn't
- It is not open source
- Business and Meta AI conversations can have different privacy properties
- Groups and linked devices have fixed limits
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
- WhatsApp9.3/10 · Free plan
A broadly available free messenger with strong everyday privacy features and wide platform support.
Visit WhatsAppFull 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