Source-backed analysis13
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
13 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Telegram Review
Cross-platform cloud messaging with 200,000-member groups, channels and bots
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Telegram suits people who need large groups and channels, files up to 2 GB and bots on every OS and the web. The trade-offs: only Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted, ordinary chats are encrypted only between app and server, and in May 2025 Vietnamese authorities ordered carriers to block the app.
Best for: Community and channel admins who need large groups plus moderation tools, bots and automation
Skip it if: Anyone who wants every conversation end-to-end encrypted by default
Pros
- Groups up to 200,000 members, unlimited channel subscribers, files up to 2 GB (4 GB with Premium)
- Apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, plus web, Apple Watch and Wear OS
- Public source code and API with verifiable builds; a large bot ecosystem since 2015
Cons
- Only Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted; ordinary chats and groups are encrypted client-to-server only
- Vietnam ordered carriers to block Telegram in May 2025, citing non-compliance with local rules
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- No ads in private chats and groups; Premium from about $3/month on the yearly plan (US App Store price)
Cons
- Concerns about illegal content and scams; the founder was charged in France in 2024
- Middling ratings: 3.5/5 on the Vietnamese App Store and 3.8/5 on Google Play; 1.5/5 on Trustpilot, with many complaints about hijacked accounts and hard recovery
Best for
- Multi-device users who want synced chat history and large file transfers
- Developers who want the Bot API, a public API and open-source clients
Skip it if
- Users in Vietnam who need a dependable channel, given the May 2025 blocking order (current status not confirmed)
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What is Telegram?
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app from Telegram FZ-LLC. Per Wikipedia it launched on iOS on 14 Aug 2013 and Android on 20 Oct 2013, and in March 2025 Pavel Durov announced it had passed 1 billion monthly active users. Telegram's FAQ says the company reached profitability in 2024 and that private messaging will stay free.
Key features
Ordinary chats are stored in the cloud and sync across devices. Groups can reach 200,000 members, channels have unlimited subscribers and files go up to 2 GB. Bots, Login with Telegram and many other tools run on the public API. The official 2026 blog announces smartwatch apps, a rich text editor, Communities, an AI text editor, guest AI bots and an Android redesign.
Pricing and value
Most features are free. On the US App Store, Telegram Premium costs $4.99/month, $1.19/week or $35.99/year and adds 4 GB files, voice-to-text, real-time translation, no sponsored messages and higher limits. The Premium terms say charges are generally non-refundable. Beyond Premium, the company earns from sponsored messages in large public channels, bots and public search, and from Telegram Stars, sharing 50% of ad revenue with channel owners.
More analysis
Security and the situation in Vietnam
Only Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted, and they work only on the device that started them. On 21 May 2025 the Telecommunications Department (Ministry of Science and Technology) told carriers to block Telegram, citing a Ministry of Public Security letter saying 68% of roughly 9,600 Vietnamese channels and groups carried harmful content. Telegram said it was surprised and had answered Vietnam's legal requests. The sources reviewed do not confirm how far the block is in force today, so check access before relying on the app.
Who it's for and how it compares
Telegram is strongest when you need big communities, broadcast channels and bots. Signal prioritises privacy with default encryption; WhatsApp encrypts end to end by default and is widely used internationally; in some markets other apps dominate (Zalo and Messenger have larger bases in Vietnam, for example), and what matters most is what your contacts use. Telegram fits when you accept ordinary chats without end-to-end encryption in exchange for cloud sync and features.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Free
PersonalFree
Private chats and groups are free and ad-free. Files up to 2 GB, groups up to 200,000 members and channels with unlimited subscribers. Sponsored messages may appear in large public channels, bots, public stories and public search.
Telegram Premium
Personal$4.99/mo
$3/mo billed yearly
Uploads up to 4 GB, no sponsored messages, voice-to-text, real-time chat and channel translation, and higher folder and pinned-chat limits. US App Store prices: $4.99/month, $1.19/week, $35.99/year (about $3/month); prices elsewhere may differ.
- Free plan limits
- The free tier covers nearly all messaging features. Telegram says private messaging will always be free; it earns from sponsored messages, Premium and Telegram Stars, and reached profitability in 2024.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
Under the Premium terms, charges are generally non-refundable and there is no partial refund for the remaining days after cancelling. Telegram refunds the unused portion pro rata only if it stops offering subscriptions or the law requires it; purchases via Apple or Google are billed by them.
Privacy
Per the privacy policy (latest change-log entry dated 21 Aug 2026), only Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted and they are not stored on servers. Cloud chats are encrypted between app and server and stored across several data centres controlled by different legal entities. Telegram collects phone number, name, photo, contacts (with permission), shared location and security metadata such as IP address and devices; that metadata is kept up to 12 months. Accounts inactive for 18 months are deleted by default. The company says it does not use chat contents or contact lists for ad targeting. Since Sept 2024, per Wikipedia, Telegram says it will share IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities on valid legal requests; the current policy limits this to cases where a valid judicial order confirms the user is a suspect in criminal activity that violates Telegram's Terms. Founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France on 24 Aug 2024 and charged on 28 Aug 2024 with several offences tied to the platform.
Telegram alternatives
7.4/10Free messaging and calling with default end-to-end encryption, used worldwide
7.1/10Messenger
Meta's chat and group video app, with end-to-end encryption by default for personal chats
Frequently asked questions
Is Telegram free?
Yes. Private chats and groups are free and ad-free. Premium is an optional paid tier; the US App Store lists $4.99/month or $35.99/year.
Is Telegram end-to-end encrypted?
Only Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted. Ordinary chats and groups are encrypted between the app and the server and stored in the cloud.
How many people can a Telegram group hold?
Up to 200,000 members; channels have no subscriber limit.
Is Telegram blocked in Vietnam?
The Telecommunications Department ordered carriers to block Telegram on 21 May 2025. The sources reviewed do not confirm the current status, so check directly.
Review evidence & sources13
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.4
- Features
- 8.8
- Value for money
- 8.5
- Performance
- 7.5
- Support
- 5.0
- Privacy & security
- 6.5
Why this score
Multi-device synced chat on every platform, but the many features (folders, bots, channels, boosts) can overwhelm newcomers. Store ratings are middling: 3.5/5 on the Vietnamese App Store, 4.0/5 on the US one and 3.8/5 on Google Play. The interface comes in 8 languages (including English, French, German, Korean, Russian, Spanish).
Why this score
Huge groups, channels, bots, folders, Secret Chats, Stars, and 2026 blog additions such as an AI editor, guest AI bots and Communities. Near the top of messaging apps for breadth, but E2EE is not default so it is not scored higher.
Why this score
Private messaging is free and ad-free, and Premium at $4.99/month or $35.99/year (US App Store) is moderately priced. Marked down because revenue partly relies on sponsored messages in public channels.
Why this score
No independent benchmarks. The app updates often (version 13.2 on 5 Nov 2026) and the 2026 blog shows a steady release pace. Per Wikipedia, Apple briefly pulled Telegram from the App Store in August 2026. In Vietnam the blocking order may affect access.
Why this score
A detailed FAQ; questions go through Settings > Ask a Question, answered by volunteers, with a separate form for login problems and email addresses for abuse and security. No phone or staff chat; on Trustpilot (1.5/5) many reviewers report hijacked accounts and little help.
Why this score
Pros: a clear policy, metadata kept up to 12 months, no chat-content ad targeting, end-to-end Secret Chats and public source code. Cons: E2EE is not default, cloud chats sit on Telegram's servers, IP and phone numbers are shared on valid legal requests since Sept 2024, and security experts have criticised its encryption claims.
What users say
- App Store (Vietnam)3.5/5 · 48,692
- App Store (United States)4.0/5 · 285,838
- Google Play (United States)3.8/5 · 17,386,467
- Trustpilot1.5/5 · 832
Sources
- Vendor-providedOfficial FAQNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial privacy policyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial Premium termsNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial Premium FAQNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial Telegram blogNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeiTunes Lookup API (Vietnam: rating, version, languages)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (United States: Premium prices)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listing (United States)Nov 10, 2026
- review-siteTrustpilot: telegram.orgNov 10, 2026
- pressRFA Vietnamese (2025-05-23): Telegram blocked in VietnamNov 10, 2026
- pressDoanh nghiep & Hoi nhap (2025-05-23): why Vietnam blocks TelegramNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: Telegram (software)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Telegram FZ-LLC
- Headquarters
- United Arab Emirates
- Launched
- 2013
- Category
- Social
Capabilities
- Public API
- Open source
- End-to-end encryption
- AI features
- Integrations
- Real-time collaboration
- Mobile app
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
Interface languages
- English
- French
- German
- Indonesian
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
Integrations
- Bot API
- Login with Telegram
- Apple Watch
- Wear OS
Support
- Community forum
- Help center
Change history
- Feature.The Aug 2026 update adds welcome messages, buttons in messages and signed gifts.
- Update.Apple briefly pulls Telegram from the App Store over child sexual abuse material violations (per Wikipedia, citing The Verge).
- Update.Vietnam's Telecommunications Department tells carriers to block Telegram, with a reporting deadline of 2 Jun 2025.
Full change history (9)
- Update.Pavel Durov announces Telegram has passed 1 billion monthly active users (per Wikipedia).
- Update.Telegram announces it will hand over IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities on valid legal requests.
- Company.Pavel Durov is arrested in France; on 28 Aug 2024 he is charged with several offences tied to the platform.
- Feature.Telegram Premium launches; the same day Telegram announces 700 million monthly active users.
- Feature.Telegram launches its bot platform.
- Launch.Telegram launches on iOS; the Android app follows on 20 Oct 2013.
About the author
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