Cloud-based messaging with large groups, channels and bots
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that syncs chats across phones, desktops and the web, with very large groups, broadcast channels and an extensive bot platform. Its client apps are open source, but the server is not, and only the optional Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted. Telegram Premium adds extras such as bigger uploads and faster downloads.
- features
- 5
- alternatives
- 10
- platforms
- 6
- Updated
- Oct 12, 2026
Features
Our take
Pros
- Cloud sync across phone, desktop and web
- Huge groups, broadcast channels and a powerful bot platform
- Open source clients that are fast and polished
Cons
- Regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted, only Secret Chats are
- Secret Chats do not sync across devices and are unavailable in groups
- Server code is closed, unlike the client apps
Editorial assessment by the Alternatives.tools team, based on what the product is known for. Not a user review.
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User reviews
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