Telegram is one of the best secure, anonymous, cloud-based messaging platforms. However, every anonymous platform has a dark side, and Telegram is no different. Its founder Pavel Durov was recently apprehended due to the lack of moderation policies resulting in drug trafficking and child sexual abuse material on the app. Following this, countries like India are investigating, and there’s a possibility that the platform could be banned. Hence, here are some of the best Telegram alternatives in case it gets banned.
The reason behind Telegram’s popularity stems from its neverending list of features like bots, chat customizations, increased share limits if you get premium and much more. While not all the contenders on this list may have these features, there are a few good platforms that are worth checking out.
1. Signal Messenger
If privacy is the biggest reason you are using Telegram, Signal Messenger is an excellent alternative to Telegram. Unlike Telegram where end-to-end encryption only exists in the Secret Chats feature, Signal is completely end-to-end encrypted, meaning even the firm cannot see your messages.
While Signal isn’t as extensive as Telegram in terms of raw features, it does have important features like Disappearing Messages, and the ability to enable/disable Read receipts and Typing indications.
As for some of the other features, you can voice and video call, post stories, bring up an incognito keyboard, change the appearance of chats, customize notifications, and control data usage. Backups are stored on-device and are fully encrypted via a passphrase. Overall, Signal is a wonderful alternative to Telegram if all you care about is secure messaging.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | Not as feature-rich as Telegram |
| Simple and easy to use UI | |
| Local backups | |
| Customizable |
2. Viber
Viber is another end-to-end encrypted messaging platform that gets many things right. While Viber doesn’t offer many extensive features like Telegram, it’s got the basics like disappearing messages, audio and video calls, secret chats, and privacy settings like Auto spam check and 2-step verification. My only issue with the app is the Explore section is filled with crappy content.
The UI has ads but they’re mostly not intrusive. For an ad-free experience and many other features, there’s Viber Plus. It gets rid of ads, has a new icon, and an invisible mode where you can see read receipts and online statuses without revealing your own. Overall, Viber is a pretty neat Telegram alternative that you can check out.
Pros Cons End-to-end encrypted Not as feature-rich as Telegram Simple and easy-to-use UI Plus plan has less features Disappearing messages Userbase is very small On-device backups
3. Element
Element’s strong suite is also privacy and security as it’s open-source and offers end-to-end encryption by default. It’s quite different from a regular messaging app in the sense that it’s built on a decentralized open network called the Matrix protocol. It gives users all the control over their data, letting them choose where the data is stored.
While its customization features don’t triumph over Telegram’s, it’s still got a few handy features like notifications customizations and themes. There are many rooms and sub-groups you can join to discuss with like-minded groups of people, or you could create your own room. Overall, if you’re looking for a great Telegram alternative for channels and group chats, Element is your best bet.
Pros Cons End-to-end encrypted Has a learning curve Easy-to-use UI Smaller user base Decentralized network Not a lot of mainstream features Lots of servers
4. WhatsApp
WhatsApp needs to introduction. It is the most popular messaging platform on the planet by a long shot, even when compared to Telegram. The Meta-owned app doesn’t inspire confidence in user privacy given Facebook’s dark past. However, the messages are end-to-end encrypted, with the app sharing metadata with Meta.
The app has massively improved over the past few years with tons of changes and features like Communities, Meta AI, Disappearing messages and media, multi-device support, and much more. While it’s not anonymous like Telegram, you will find almost all your contacts using WhatsApp as the user base is that huge. Overall, if you can let go of anonymity, WhatsApp is a perfect alternative to Telegram.
Pros Cons End-to-end encrypted Privacy concerns Easy-to-use UI Cross-platform availability Encrypted cloud backups Multi-device support
5. Messenger
Messenger (formerly Facebook Messenger) is Meta-owned, so, again, not a privacy-centric messaging app. However, if you’re someone who uses Facebook extensively, Messenger will feel right at home as it integrates the groups you’re a part of, friends on both Facebook and Instagram. There are tons of customization options as well.
Instagram’s messenger integration is a bit more feature-rich with features like stickers, vanish mode, message reactions, read receipts, and many more. Instagram messenger also has different communities you can join, and at the end of the day, the decision between Facebook and Instagram Messenger depends on which platform you actively use. Overall, it’s a decent Telegram alternative you can try.
Pros Cons End-to-end encrypted messages and backup Privacy concerns Easy-to-use UI Cross-platform availability Rich communication features Voice and video calls
6. Messages by Google
Messages by Google uses Rich Communication Messages, which you may have heard of during Google’s “#GetTheMessage” campaign. Now is a great time to try Google’s messaging app as even Apple has adopted RCS after the pressure from EU. It has all the features you’d expect from a regular feature-rich messaging app, including rich communication features such as read receipts, stickers, voice notes, etc.
Besides, it seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Photos, Googe Duo, Dialer, and the latest integration with Google Gemini. Although it’s only available on Android devices, it has a great simple user interface and lots of spam protection features built in.
Messages with RCS are completely free if your friends are also using an RCS-supported messaging platform. Also, while Google uses end-to-end encryption in Messages, other platforms using RCS may not use encryption. Overall, RCS is a pretty viable alternative to Telegram.
Pros Cons End-to-end encrypted messages on cloud Carrier dependence Easy-to-use UI Potential data collection by Google RCS implementation Rich communication features Google ecosystem integration
7. iMessage
If you’re into the Apple ecosystem, the Telegram alternative you’re looking for is built right into your device. We’re talking about iMessage. Although the features require the other party to have an iPhone, features such as high-quality media sharing and end-to-end encryption are standard on iMessage. Besides, it has all the features that a messaging platform should have.
With Apple implementing RCS, you should soon be able to use all the rich communication features effortlessly when chatting with your Android friends. However, RCS on iOS won’t be end-to-end encrypted so it won’t be as secure as the apps mentioned above. That said, if most of your friends and family are into the Apple ecosystem, iMessage is a decent Telegram alternative.
Pros Cons End-to-end encrypted messages (iOS to iOS) Limited to Apple devices Easy-to-use UI Potential data collection by Apple Rich communication features RCS won’t be end-to-end encrypted Apple Memoji and Group messaging
8. Discord
If you use Telegram for gaming sessions with your friends, you should ditch it regardless of whether Telegram gets banned, and use Discord instead, because you’re missing out. Discord is one of the best communication platforms for not just gamers but a variety of communities of different niches. It features servers and channels that people can join to discuss and connect with like-minded people.
Besides, it has a large user base, voice and video chat capabilities, and cross-platform compatibility. One of the major issues with Discord is in the privacy department as the messages are not end-to-end encrypted. Discord also takes up a lot of system resources and faces moderation challenges just like Telegram. There’s a paid subscription called Discord Nitro which offers lots of customization perks. Overall, it’s a good alternative to Telegram, especially if you’re into gaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A bit confusing at first but eventually becomes easy to use | No end-to-end encryption |
| Rich chat features | Moderation challenges |
| Voice and video capabilities | Heavy on resources |
| Wide user base | |
| Features for gamers |
Telegram Alternatives: Our Choice
If you’re looking for an app that’s more casual, privacy-focused, and functions as a regular texting app, Signal Messenger is our go-to recommendation; However, if you couldn’t care less about privacy, or care just a bit, WhatsApp, iMessage, Messages by Google, and Viber are all decent Telegram alternatives.
Want to be a part of various groups, Discord and Messenger have you covered. However, if you need an extreme privacy-focused messaging platform with communities, look no further than Element.
What are your thoughts on Telegram and its alternatives listed on this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments
9
Sagnik Das Gupta
On the whole, I believe that most of the centralized messengers are insecure. Even Telegram, which is considered to be the most encrypted among popular ones, stores users data. As for me, I prefer using less known messengers, like Utopia p2p https://utopia-ecosystem.com/ , but decentralized and encrypted ones. As only there I’m sure my info isn’t collected and can’t be passed to 3rd parties.
This is 2018 & I still love using telegram….
very like
Telegram uses a custom none open algorithm. The Russian government tried to shut down the Telegram service earlier in the year, and was recently fined by the Russian government for not providing encryption keys to the FSB.
I love Telegram, but I am looking for alternatives now. The multi-device and multi-platform support is really key for me, so it looks like it is between Viber, Facebook, Skype and Google Hangouts… not that I trust Facebook, Google or Microsoft, but I trust them more than I do the Russian government.
I am not sure if this is an aprils fool or if you are serious with that?!
Telegram is by far the best and also most secure and flexible messenger, if you focus on texting and sending files.
The user can choose if he wants to write as secure messages as Threema by simply write in secure chat mode.
If you don’t need end-to-end encryption you can use the “normal” encrypted chat and have your chatlog automatically saved in the cloud and you can write from ANY device you want.
With Telegram you can send what ever file-type you want up to 2GB of file-size (not sure if it’s still 2GB or more already)
Gifs are already supported 😉 +dozens of other features (stickers, games, bots…)
(Video-)Calls are not supported yet but are about to come in 2017.
If you have more than one phone number you can run telegram easily twice on the same phone using (Plus Messenger)
To sum it up in one Sentence:
Telegram combines the best of all the other messengers you mentioned plus many extra features and you can freely choos what you want to use and what you don’t.
Cheers
You are right.
I think the real joke is making vague allegation about the security of Telegram and then offer closed-source as alternatives.
Thank You.
alternatives to sms texting that require receipt of an sms text are self evidently NOT alternatives
Xmpp Texting is the alternative
Xmpp Texting is an Open Standard
for android the best choice is Conversations for its seamless OMEMO crypto
and ChatSecure for iOS
Telegram does not require SMS validation if you have a desktop client or another mobile.
With Telegram you can also call, can you with Conversations?
Otherwise, I’m all for XMPP but Telegram works out of the box. No plug-in necessary, no registration necessary.
Telegram promised to open the encryption code eventually but after years we are still waiting.
This is pushing me away.