There are many different instant messaging apps out there and here you learn everything about WhatsApp vs Telegram in terms of their features, reliability, and everything else that may interest you. So, by the end of this article, you know what both services offer and you can make the right decision and choose a service that better fits your preferences.
If you are looking for the best, most secure, most reliable instant messaging app for your Android or iOS devices, both WhatsApp and its major rival Telegram have their benefits. When it comes to the ultimate WhatsApp vs Telegram battle, both offer one hundred percent end-to-end encrypted instant messaging options so you can rest assured that all of your private, confidential data is always safe when using WhatsApp and Telegram. However, there is much more to a secure, safe, and reliable instant messaging service than encryption technology, so let’s start.
What is WhatsApp and What it Offers?
Today, WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps and services out there which does not come as a surprise considering its amazing safe online messaging features. WhatsApp was launched back in February of 2009 as a cross-platform, freeware, instant messaging service. Today, WhatsApp is owned and operated by Facebook Inc. while the service was created by WhatsApp Inc. which sold the rights to Facebook Inc. back in 2014 for around $19.3 billion.
Ever since it was released, WhatsApp has been one of the best options for getting in touch and communicating online. The service offers texting, video conferencing, calling, and a bunch of other features. In fact, WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging app for both iOS and Android users. As estimated in February of 2020, WhatsApp had an astonishing user base of two million individuals from all over the globe who use WhatsApp on a daily basis.
At the time of its initial release, WhatsApp was only available to iOS users, while today the WhatsApp instant messaging app can be downloaded to Android devices as well as Windows-powered desktop devices. Just like all other great instant, encrypted messaging services out there, with WhatsApp, you can share images, files, notes, send text messages, make calls and video calls, and most important, send disappearing or self destructing personal messages.
Thanks to being powered by the best end-to-end encryption technology, WhatsApp lets you communicate online with anyone who has the app in the safest way. Whenever you send a self destruct message with or without images and files included, your message travels safely from your device to the recipient’s device. All of these options are available for free as soon as you get WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
WhatsApp Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Uses the best end-to-end encryption
- Supported by Android, iOS, and Windows devices
- Great messaging and conferencing options
- Self destructing texting and file sharing options
- Reduced data usage
- Free to download and use
Cons:
- Calling feature not available in all countries
- Cannot share large files
- Contact number required
- Requires internet connection
WhatsApp Vs Telegram – How Telegram Works?
To help you determine which instant messaging service is better for you, we continue this WhatsApp vs Telegram guide by exploring Telegram Messenger and its features. Telegram is yet another excellent, safe, and reliable instant messaging app for Android and iOS users who value their online and data privacy. This cloud-based, cross-platform instant messaging service was launched by the Telegram FZ LLC company with Telegram Messenger Inc. back in August of 2013.
Just like WhatsApp and similar instant messaging services such as Viber, Threema, and Wickr which are explored in other articles, Telegram Messenger allows users to send end-to-end encrypted instant messages. All of Telegram’s apps are available for free at the Google Play Store and App Store while users of Linux and Windows-powered desktop devices can also get the Telegram Messenger app.
As expected, with Telegram, you can send self destruct messages, as well as make encrypted calls, send images, videos, and other files. With Telegram, you can also access your chats from different devices, as well as be part of group chats that can hold up to 200,000 members which is quite impressive and very handy for big companies with a large employee base. Needless to say, all of your messages sent using the service are one hundred percent safe from intruders, third-parties, and hackers.
Unlike the vast majority of other instant messaging apps out there, Telegram has no limits on the site of your chats and media. Considering all of these benefits, there is no wonder why back in January of 2021, Telegram had over 500 million active users and this number is growing. So, let’s examine its major pros and cons.
Telegram Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very fast and reliable messaging service
- Great customer support
- Free of ads
- Free for download
- Encrypted secret chats supported
- Self destruct timers available
Cons:
- Cannot know the status of your contacts
- Cannot send multiple files at once
- Smaller user base than competitors
- Voice messages not supported
WhatsApp Vs Telegram
Now that you know the basic features of WhatsApp and its major competitor Telegram, it all comes down to your preferences and what you value more. When looking into WhatsApp vs Telegram, both services have their advantages and disadvantages. One of the most obvious advantages of WhatsApp and Telegram is that they are free for download and support by both Android and iOS devices.
While Telegram has unlimited server storage, WhatsApp lets you send voice messages. When using Telegram, you can send larger files which is not the case when using WhatsApp. Telegram chats can have up to 200,000 members while this number is significantly lower when using WhatsApp. On the other hand, WhatsApp is known for significantly reduced data usage and its great conferencing options that work just fine to smaller and bigger companies.
Both WhatsApp and Telegram can be used for making voice and video calls, sending self destruct or disappearing messages and files, and both use the best end-to-end encryption. With this in mind, look into the features once again, and decide what works the best for you.