WhatsApp vs Telegram: Simple Guide to Choose the Best App
Published: 23 Oct 2025
WhatsApp and Telegram are two of the most popular chat apps used by millions of people every day. Both apps help us send messages, photos, and videos to friends and family. At first look, they may seem similar, but they are very different in how they work.
WhatsApp is known for its simple design and easy use, while Telegram is famous for its strong privacy and extra features. Many people are now asking which one is better to use this year. In this article, we will compare both apps in simple words so you can easily choose the right one for you.
Quick Comparison Table: WhatsApp vs Telegram
This table gives you a quick side-by-side view of WhatsApp and Telegram to help you see their main differences at a glance.
| Feature | Telegram | |
| Owner | Meta (Facebook) | Pavel Durov (Independent) |
| Launch Year | 2009 | 2013 |
| User Base | Over 2.7 billion users | Over 900 million users |
| Message Encryption | End-to-End for all chats | Optional (only in Secret Chats) |
| File Sharing Limit | 2 GB | Up to 2 GB per file (cloud stored) |
| Group Limit | 1024 members | 200,000 members |
| Cloud Storage | Limited (local backup) | Unlimited cloud storage |
| Bots and Channels | Not available | Available (bots, public channels) |
| Customization | Limited | Highly customizable |
| Best For | Simple chatting and family use | Privacy, big groups, and extra tools |
Differences between WhatsApp and Telegram
Here is a list of key comparisons below:
- Ownership and Popularity
- Security and Privacy
- Features and Customization
- File Sharing and Storage
- Group and Channel Options
- Speed and Performance
Let’s break down all the key differences in detail and help you decide which is the right platform for you.
1. Ownership and Popularity
Both WhatsApp and Telegram are famous chat apps used all around the world. But they belong to different owners and have different ways of growing their users.
WhatsApp – Owned by Meta
WhatsApp is part of Meta, the same company that owns Facebook and Instagram.
- Created in 2009 and bought by Facebook in 2014.
- Has more than 2.7 billion active users globally.
- Very popular in countries like India, Brazil, and the U.K.
- Comes pre-installed or recommended on many phones.
- Grows fast because of its simple and familiar design.
- Linked with Facebook services for easy sharing.
- Known as the world’s most used messaging app.
Telegram – Owned by Pavel Durov
Telegram is an independent app built by Pavel Durov and his team in 2013.
- Founded by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov.
- Focuses on privacy and independence from big tech.
- Has more than 900 million users worldwide.
- Growing fast in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East regions.
- Not linked to any social media company.
- Users like it for its speed and freedom of use.
- Known for handling big groups and channels easily.
2. Security and Privacy
Security and privacy are two of the most important things people look for in chat apps. Both WhatsApp and Telegram care about user safety, but they protect messages in very different ways.
Security and Privacy of WhatsApp
WhatsApp keeps all personal chats private using strong encryption.
- Uses end-to-end encryption for all chats and calls.
- Only sender and receiver can read the messages.
- Even WhatsApp itself cannot see your chat content.
- Offers two-step verification for extra security.
- Shares limited data with Meta for better services.
- Chats are stored locally or backed up on Google Drive/iCloud.
- Trusted by many users for private conversations.
Security and Privacy of Telegram
Telegram gives users control to choose between normal or secret chats.
- Normal chats are cloud-based and synced across devices.
- Secret chats use end-to-end encryption for better safety.
- Users can set messages to auto-delete after some time.
- Telegram does not share data with any company.
- You can hide phone numbers and control who sees your last seen.
- Offers lock code and two-step verification.
- Gives more privacy features, but secret chat must be turned on manually.
3. Features and Customization
Both WhatsApp and Telegram help users chat, share, and stay connected. But Telegram offers more freedom and creative tools, while WhatsApp focuses on simple and clear communication.
Features and Customization of WhatsApp
WhatsApp is built for easy chatting without any confusion.
- Simple layout that anyone can understand.
- Supports text, voice, video calls, and group chats.
- Lets you send photos, videos, and documents quickly.
- Offers WhatsApp Status to share short updates.
- Provides stickers and emojis for fun chatting.
- Can back up chats to Google Drive or iCloud.
- Limited themes or customization options.
Features and Customization of Telegram
Telegram offers more control, flexibility, and smart options for users.
- Supports text, voice, and video messages with smooth performance.
- Allows themes, colors, and chat backgrounds for a personal look.
- Offers bots that can help with reminders, tools, or games.
- Has channels where users can share news or content with many people.
- Lets you pin multiple chats and folders for better organization.
- Includes polls, quizzes, and reactions in chats.
- Offers advanced search and message editing features.
4. File Sharing and Storage
Both WhatsApp and Telegram let users share files like photos, videos, and documents. But Telegram gives more space and freedom, while WhatsApp keeps things simple and limited.
File Sharing and Storage of WhatsApp
WhatsApp is good for sharing small files and media with friends.
- Lets you share photos, videos, and documents easily.
- File size limit is up to 2 GB per file.
- Media files are stored locally on your phone.
- Older files can fill your storage quickly.
- You can back up media to Google Drive or iCloud.
- Compresses images and videos to send faster.
- Works best for everyday personal sharing.
File Sharing and Storage of Telegram
Telegram offers more power for sharing large files and keeping them online safely.
- Supports files up to 2 GB each without compression.
- All files are stored in Telegram Cloud with no phone space used.
- You can download files anytime from any device.
- Sends full-quality photos and videos without loss.
- Easy to find and organize shared media in chats.
- Allows users to create folders to manage files better.
- Perfect for people who share big files or use multiple devices.
5. Group and Channel Options
Both WhatsApp and Telegram help people connect in groups, but Telegram gives more space and tools for large communities, while WhatsApp is better for family and small team chats.
Group and Channel Options of WhatsApp
WhatsApp groups are easy to create and great for everyday use.
- You can add up to 1,024 members in a single group.
- Best for family, school, and small work groups.
- Group admins can manage who joins or sends messages.
- Supports group voice and video calls.
- Community features help organize related groups together.
- Lets you share photos, videos, and documents inside groups.
- Limited tools for big or public communities.
Group and Channel Options of Telegram
Telegram is built for massive groups and open sharing.
- Allows up to 200,000 members in one group.
- You can create public or private channels for followers.
- Channels let you broadcast messages to unlimited users.
- Admins can add bots for auto messages or moderation.
- You can pin important messages or use hashtags to organize content.
- Perfect for online communities, news pages, and study groups.
- Gives more control and features for managing large audiences.
6. Speed and Performance
Both WhatsApp and Telegram are fast chat apps, but Telegram handles large data and cloud storage more smoothly, while WhatsApp focuses on quick and simple messaging.
Speed and Performance of WhatsApp
WhatsApp is designed for everyday messages and calls with smooth speed.
- Loads chats quickly and works well on most phones.
- Uses minimal data for calls and text messages.
- Runs smoothly even on low internet connections.
- Automatically saves media to phone storage.
- Rarely faces downtime or connection errors.
- Calls and messages deliver instantly in a good network.
- Best for daily communication and small groups.
Speed and Performance of Telegram
Telegram is cloud-based and uses smart servers to keep it speedy.
- Messages deliver quickly, even on slow internet.
- Cloud servers make data transfer faster and smoother.
- You can log in on many devices without losing speed.
- No need to back up manually all chats sync automatically.
- Media and files open quickly without lag.
- Rarely crashes, even with large groups or channels.
- Designed for high performance across all devices.
Which is Better This Year?
Both WhatsApp and Telegram are amazing chat apps, but they fit different types of users. WhatsApp is simple and perfect for daily chatting, while Telegram gives more features, privacy, and storage. The better app depends on what you need the most.
Why Choose WhatsApp
Easy to use for all ages. Best for personal and family chats. Has smooth voice and video calling. Popular and trusted by billions of users. Works on almost every phone easily. Connect with your phone contacts automatically. Great for quick, private conversations.
Why Choose Telegram
Offers more privacy and security control. Stores files safely in the cloud. Handles large groups and public channels. Lets you share big files without limits. Supports bots, themes, and customization. Syncs chats across all your devices instantly. Best for professionals, creators, and big communities.
Conclusion
WhatsApp and Telegram both make chatting easy and fun, but they serve different needs. WhatsApp is perfect for simple, everyday use with family and friends. It offers smooth calls, quick chats, and easy setup. Telegram is better for people who love privacy, cloud storage, and advanced features. It gives more control and freedom for big groups or online communities.
This year, both apps are great choices but if you want more features and safety, Telegram clearly takes the lead.
FAQs about WhatsApp and Telegram
Here are some of the most FAQs related to WhatsApp and telegram.
Telegram offers more features and privacy, while WhatsApp is simpler and easier for everyday chatting. The best one depends on whether you need more features or simplicity.
Both apps are safe, but Telegram gives more control over privacy and secret chats. WhatsApp also has end-to-end encryption for all chats by default.
Yes, but only for secret chats. Normal Telegram chats are stored safely in the cloud so you can use them on any device.
Telegram is usually faster because it uses cloud servers for better speed. WhatsApp is also quick but depends more on your phone and internet connection.
Yes, you can install and use both apps together. They work separately, and you can use them for different contacts or groups.
WhatsApp uses a little less data for calls and messages. Telegram may use more because it stores files and media in the cloud.
For many people, yes, Telegram can replace WhatsApp. It has more tools and privacy options, but not all friends or family may use it yet.
Telegram is better for big groups and channels because it supports up to 200,000 members. WhatsApp is great for smaller, personal groups.
Yes, Telegram also shows last seen, but you can hide it from others easily. It gives more privacy settings than WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is still the most popular app worldwide with billions of users. But Telegram is growing fast because more people care about privacy and freedom.
- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
