Best Telegram Alternatives in 2026
The top Telegram alternatives are Signal, WhatsApp and Element: 15 secure messaging apps our editors would look at instead of Telegram, in our ranking order.
Telegram: A broad messaging app for large communities, multi-device chats and bot-enabled workflows. Where it falls short: end-to-end encryption is limited to secret chats.
Switching from Telegram? For most secure messaging apps buyers the best Telegram alternative is Signal, built for most users wanting secure messaging. Threema offers the most maximum group size (256 members).
Why People Look for a Telegram Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSignal9.4
Most users wanting secure messaging
Visit Signal - Lowest priceSignal9.4
Paid plans from $1.99/mo
Visit Signal - Best free optionSignal9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Signal - Most maximum group sizeThreema8.3
256 members
Visit Threema
All 15 Telegram Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMost users wanting secure messaging
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.4
Free, open-source messaging with encrypted calls, groups, and optional paid backups.
- Disappearing messages
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forMainstream users and large groups
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.4
A broadly available free messenger with strong everyday privacy features and wide platform support.
- Disappearing messages
9.3/10★★★★★Visit WhatsApp -
Best forTeams needing secure, extensible collaboration
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.4
A secure, extensible collaboration app for teams that need control and interoperability.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Element -
Best forSecure enterprise collaboration
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.4
A broad secure workspace for enterprise messaging, calls, files, and administration.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Wire -
Best forFree users needing a complete private messenger
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.4
A free, private messenger with encryption by default and a broad feature set.
- Disappearing messages
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Delta Chat -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting anonymous accounts
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.4
Private messaging with anonymous connections, encrypted calls, and no paid plan.
- Disappearing messages
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forUsers wanting secure calls and conferencing
- Better than Telegram:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.4
A free, open-source choice for encrypted messaging, calls, and conferencing.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forUsers comfortable with a one-time purchase
A paid, open-source messenger with broad platform support and strong privacy features.
- Encrypted backups
- Multi-device support
- Desktop apps
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Threema -
Best forMainstream mobile-and-desktop messaging
A versatile free messenger with strong chat privacy but unencrypted backups.
- Multi-device support
- Desktop apps
- Disappearing messages
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Viber -
Best forOffline and censorship-resistant messaging
A free, open-source messenger for private communication without a central server.
- Disappearing messages
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Briar -
Best forAndroid XMPP users needing calls
A focused Android XMPP client with encrypted chats, calls, and federated connectivity.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Conversations -
Best forSmall groups wanting managed XMPP hosting
A private, open-source messenger for small groups, with hosting priced at $6 per month.
- Encrypted backups
- Multi-device support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Snikket -
Best forApple users wanting mature XMPP messaging
A capable free XMPP client for Apple users who want OMEMO encryption and calls.
- Disappearing messages
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Monal -
Best forSecure messaging with decentralized communities
A free, privacy-focused messenger for decentralized communities, with a 20-member group limit.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Status -
Best forIndividuals and businesses needing managed security
Olvid offers private messaging across major platforms, with paid tiers for calls, syncing, and administration.
- Disappearing messages
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Olvid
Telegram Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Telegram?
Signal: #1 in our Secure Messaging Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Free, open-source messaging with encrypted calls, groups, and optional paid backups.
Is there a free alternative to Telegram?
Yes. Signal, WhatsApp, Element, Wire and Delta Chat have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Telegram?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Signal starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for Telegram alternatives?
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.
Which Telegram alternative has the most maximum group size?
Threema, with 256 members.
How do I switch from Telegram?
Export your data from Telegram (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Telegram.
How to Switch from Telegram
- Export your data from Telegram (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Telegram.
Telegram vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Telegram | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 1 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | 9.4 |
| 2 | Yes | Free | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Element | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | 8.9 |
| 5 | Delta Chat | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 6 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 7 | Jami | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 8 | Threema | No | $7.49/unit one-time | 8.3 |
| 9 | Viber | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 10 | Briar | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 11 | Conversations | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Snikket | No | $6/mo | 7.9 |
| 13 | Monal | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 14 | Status | Yes | Free | 7.7 |
| 15 | Olvid | Yes | €4.99/user/mo | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update