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Telegram
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
What it is
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app for mobile and desktop, focused on security and speed. Users can exchange messages, photos, videos, and files, while cloud chats sync across devices. Groups can hold up to 200,000 members, and channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences. The app supports end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, including group calls for up to 200 participants. Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted and remain only on the devices involved; cloud chats are stored encrypted on Telegram servers. Bots and Mini Apps can connect business tools and third-party services, and the open API and Bot API let developers build apps and integrations, including payment features. The free plan includes cloud storage, groups, channels, calls, and multiple devices and accounts. Ordinary users can upload files up to 2 GB each; Premium subscribers can upload up to 4 GB. Premium also lists faster downloads and doubled limits, but its price varies by country and subscription provider. Telegram is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and requires a phone account.
For and against
For
- Cloud chats sync across devices.
- Groups support up to 200,000 members.
- Channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences.
- Free plan includes calls and multiple devices.
Against
- Accounts require a phone number.
- Ordinary users can upload files up to 2 GB each.
- Premium pricing varies by country and subscription provider.
The verdict
Telegram offers free messaging, calls, groups, and channels across mobile, desktop, and web. Secret Chats and cloud chats have different storage and device behavior; ordinary file uploads are limited to 2 GB each.
Who it suits
Telegram may suit people who want messaging across devices, large groups, or broadcast channels. Businesses and small teams can use its groups, usernames, desktop apps, and file sharing for communication.
Plans and prices
Free
Unlimited cloud storage · groups and channels · voice and video calls · multiple devices and accounts
Read 30 Sep 2026 · telegram.org
Telegram Premium
4 GB file uploads · faster downloads · doubled limits · exclusive features
Read 30 Sep 2026 · telegram.org
On the record
- Bots and integrations
- Bots can connect businesses’ existing tools and workflows, and Mini Apps can integrate with third-party services, APIs and devices.core.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Business users
- Telegram says business users and small teams may use large groups, usernames, desktop apps and file sharing for communication.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Calls
- Telegram supports end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls and group calls for up to 200 participants.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Developer platform
- Telegram provides an open API and Bot API for building apps, specialized tools and integrations, including payment features.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Groups and channels
- Groups can hold up to 200,000 members, while channels can broadcast to unlimited audiences.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Messaging
- Users can send messages, photos, videos and files, and cloud chats sync across devices.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Notable limit
- The FAQ says ordinary users can upload files up to 2 GB each, while Premium subscribers can upload files up to 4 GB.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Premium pricing
- Premium subscriptions can be purchased through the App Store, Google Play or @PremiumBot, and the FAQ says yearly subscriptions are discounted.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- Telegram says it does not use personal data for ad targeting or sell it to others, and describes retaining data needed to operate its cloud service.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Telegram describes itself as a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app focused on security and speed.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption and are available only on the devices where they were sent or received; cloud chats are stored encrypted on Telegram servers.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Telegram directs users to its FAQ and provides a contact option for Telegram Support.telegram.org · read 30 Sep 2026
