A Detailed Messenger Comparison
The project is currently put on hold. Translation updated: 02 of February, 2024
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Telegram FZ LLC | Rakuten, Inc. | Meta (Facebook) |
| Type | Not-for-profit | Commercial | Commercial |
| Funding Source | Privacy-conscious ad platform or Telegram Premium subscriptions; Fragment; Pavel Durov | Ads, paid features (stickers, local numbers, Viber Out), Viber Plus | Advertising and subscriptions |
| Idea | Freedom of secured and private communication available for everyone | "The most secure messenger." Backups are not encrypted. | "Privacy and security – is in our DNA" Vulnerabilities, data leaks were discovered. |
| Privacy Policy | Clear and transparent | Of mediocre complexity | Complicated enough |
| Disclosing User Data To Third Parties | Phones numbers and IP-addresses could be disclosed based on court orders | Possible, to partners in particular | To Facebook and related companies |
| Documentation | Open and detailed | Open and detailed (development of new apps is impossible) | Almost absent |
| Collaboration with Community | Crowdsourcing and contests | — | In scope of a separate initiative |
| Press Requests | Via @PressBot | — | Via press@fb.com |
| Apps | Open-sourced, with a possibility to verify the source code in use | Closed | Closed |
| Server Side | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Encryption Protocol | Self-developed open MTProto | Semi-closed proprietary protocol (some documentation is available) | Open Signal (closed-source app doesn't allow to verify implementation) |
| Number of Active Users | 800 millions | 260 millions | 2000 millions |
| FAQ and User Guides | Basic and technical | Detailed information on support website | Structured FAQ with instructions |
| Blog | Simple, descriptive, interesting blog that describes all updates and is well integrated with apps | Available, provides only selective or marketing info | Available, though is updated rarely and provides almost no info about the updates |
| Showcasing Features | Integrated via animations on Telegram Tips channel and on the blog | Limited, via support website, blog | Limited, via FAQ, blog |
| Support Model | Volunteer support (TSF) | Commercial support (24/7 for Plus) | Commercial support |
| Spam Control | Available, with support for labels (there are issues with spam in large groups/channels); "Aggressive Anti-Spam" option is available in groups | In particular via message requests box (companies' spam, ads and redundant notifications are still received) | Available |
| Illegal/Criminal Content | It's blocked, but with delays | Is blocked | Is blocked |
| Via | Phone number, paid anonymous number, username, groups and location (turned off by default) | Phone number, communities | Phone number |
| Infrastructure | Cloud-based and distributed with servers all around the world and support for encrypted CDN-caching of media | Hybrid (solely for message delivery) | Hybrid (solely for message delivery) |
| Message Sending Speed | ≈ 150 milliseconds | ≈ 900 milliseconds | ≈ 550 milliseconds |
| Amount of Traffic Needed to Send a Message | Minimal | Average | Average |
| Scale of Search and Access to Content | Millions of messages | Thousands of messages | Thousands of messages |
| Fault Tolerance and Reliability | High | Average | Average |
| Type | Cloud-based and instantaneous | 1 primary device (phone/tablet) and a few secondary devices (tablets/PCs), which sync with the primary device | Hybrid, with support for multiple mobile devices |
| Number of Devices | Unlimited | One primary device and a few secondary ones | 5 (including a phone) |
| Content for Sync | All chats' data, settings | Chats data (one-time only), communities | Chats data (one-time only) |
| Content Download | Dynamic, in real-time, on demand | One-time server delivery | One-time server delivery |
| Type | Cloud-based and automated | Manual, on schedule via Google Drive/Apple iCloud for mobile devices only | Manual, on schedule both locally and via Google Drive/Apple iCloud |
| Backup Contents | All of the data, except secret chats, including: chats, messages, settings, media and files | Text messages, media and account data | Text messages and media |
| Recovery | Unlimited | Only to a phone with the same OS | Manual, migration is limited to certain devices only |
| Data Retention Period | Unlimited, but incase your acccount was inactive during 6 months (by default), its data will be deleted | Until a new backup overwrites the old data and depending on Google Drive/Apple iCloud policy | Temporary and until overwriting, Google Drive backups older than one year are lost |
| Internal Storage | Only for downloaded content | Saves all content | Saves all content and full local backups |
| In-Transit Data Encryption | End-to-end (secret chats), client-server (cloud chats) | Theoretically end-to-end encryption (implementation cannot be verified) | Тheoretically end-to-end encryption via Signal (implementation cannot be verified) |
| Encryption of Server-Stored Data | Supported (cloud chats only are saved) | Google/Apple backups are not encrypted | Encryption of Google/Apple backups is possible |
| Location of The Encryption Key For Stored Data | Split across different jurisdictions | — | — |
| Results of The Latest Encryption Contest | No winners identified ($300 000 bounty) | — | — |
| Encryption Protocol Meets IND-CCA | Yes | — | — |
| Perfect Forward Secrecy | Підтримується | Підтримується | Підтримується |
| Notifications About 2FA Settings Changes | Supported | — | — |
| Extended Device Verification | — | — | Supported |
| Via Integrated Mechanisms | Present | — | — |
| Proxy Support | Present | Present | Present |
| Extended Tools with Support for Encryption | MTProto Proxy | Shadowsocks, GoQuiet, Cloak | — |
| Supported OS | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Wear OS, watchOS | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Wear OS, watchOS | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS |
| Availability of Web-version | Two standalone, lightweight and adaptive web clients | — | Available (as an addition to the mobile app) |
| Availability of Portable-Version | Available | — | — |
| Tight Binding to Mobile Clients | Absent | Present | Present |
| Power Saving Mode | With extended configuration | — | — |
| Support for Data Import | Importing chats and groups from WhatsApp, Line, KakaoTalk (message sending dates are preserved) | — | — |
| Support for Data Export | Flexible export from Telegram Desktop into JSON/HTML | Limited sending of chat history to email and personal data export in Viber | Limited sending of individual chats' history to email or export to local storage |
| Support for Multiple Accounts | Available (3 without subscription, 4 with Premium) | — | Up to two (Android) |
| Alternative Clients | Present | — | WhatsApp for Business (despite marketing features it creates excessive fragmentation) |
| Text | With combined formatting support (spoilers, quotes, code, bold, monospace, italics, underlined, strikethrough font) | With combined formatting support (bold, monospace, italics, strikethrough font) | With formatting support (bold, monospace, italics, strikethrough font) |
| Hyperlinks | Supported | Text is not supported | Text is not supported |
| Hashtags | Supported | — | — |
| Web Content | As interactive link previews | Limited support (YouTube and data from available extensions) | Not supported (link previews only) |
| Convenient Web Pages Viewing | Via Instant View | — | — |
| User Mentions | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Message Replies | Supported, in particular to specific parts, with an option of sending to different chats | Supported | Supported |
| Message Forwarding | With flexible options and preserved replies | Supported | With support for hiding/replacing media captions (1 chat at a time) |
| Emoji | In particular, custom (Premium), animated ones, with extra features: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Supported | Supported |
| Stickers | Thousands of free, cloud sets of static, animated and video stickers; extra ones in Premium subscription | Paid (free for Plus) and free stickers, some of them support sound; memoji (iOS) | A few standard sets, AI-stickers and limited support via third-party applications, in particular for animated stickers |
| Avatars | Not supported (animated/video stickers offer more capabilities) | Not supported (stickers only) | Supported |
| "AR-Lenses" | — | Via Snap integration | — |
| Animations | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Images | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Images without Quality Loss | Supported (as images in form of files) | Limited support (as files) | Supported (as document) |
| Video | Supported | Supported | Supported (up to 0.016 GB) |
| Images/Video Albums | Up to 10 elements per album | — | Supported |
| Hidden Media | Photos/video | — | — |
| Temporary/Secret Images or Video | Supported | Supported | Via View Once, with screenshot blocking |
| Drawings/Inscriptions | On images and videos | On images and background | On images and videos |
| Audio | Supported | Not supported (only as files) | Supported |
| Documents | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Files | Up to 2 GB (4 GB in Premium) with no limits on number of files | Up to 0.2 GB | Media up to 0.016 GB, files up to 2 GB |
| File Collections | Up to 10 elements per message, for instance, playlists | — | — |
| Contacts | VCARD with support for all fields | Limited support | VCARD with support for all fields |
| Location and Places | Particularly in real-time with viewing mutual location, transit times and notifications | Supported | Particularly in real-time with viewing mutual location |
| Polls | Yes (anonymous/non-anonymous, with multiple answers, quizzes) | Yes (up to 4 choices, quiz mode) | Yes, in particular, with multiple answers' selection |
| Voice Messages | Supported | Supported (up to 15 minutes) | Supported |
| Video Messages | Supported (up to 60 seconds), with support rewind and zoom | Supported (up to 20 seconds) | Supported (up 60 seconds) |
| Comments | Yes | Yes | — |
| Message Reactions | Synchronized, with settings and animations support (opt-in for groups and channels); extra capabilities with Premium | Yes | Yes |
| Bots/Extensions Content | Various kinds of keyboards, decorations and dynamic messages in different types of chats | Various kinds of keyboards, extensions and their decorations | Menu buttons and extra content in business chats |
| Finance | In any chats via one of payment providers and with support for tipping, via @wallet bot | Via Viber Pay, Moneytou extension (~1% commision), Apple Pay/Google Pay | By using Facebook Pay, Indian UPI, or other payment systems |
| Goods From Catalogs | As content of bots or their invoices | — | Via catalogs in WhatsApp Business |
| Content Combinations | Supported | Limited support | Supported |
| Bulk Media/File Sending | Supported | Images | Limited number of images |
| Bulk Copying | Up to 100 messages at a time | — | Up to 10 messages at a time |
| Bulk Forwarding | Up to 100 messages at a time to different recipients | Up to 25 messages to different recipients | Up to 10 messages at a time |
| Bulk Sharing | Supported on Android (sending external content to several chats at a time) | — | — |
| Scheduled Message Sending | Available (particularly sending when online), with scheduled messages viewing and controlling | For certain types of chats and messages | — |
| Silent Message Sending | Supported | — | — |
| Cancelling Sending on Slow Connections | Supported | — | — |
| Cloud Drafts | Supported, unfinished messages could be continued and sent from any device | Local drafts only | — |
| Built-in Cloud Storage File Sending | Supported (on iOS) | — | — |
| “Raise to Speak” (to Record Voice Messages) | Supported | — | — |
| Pauses During Recording of Voice/Video Messages | Supported | — | — |
| Quick Replies | By swiping message | By swiping message | By swiping message |
| Sending Stickers That Aren't Included In Your Sets | Supported | — | — |
| Messages Text | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Replacing Media/Files | Supported | — | — |
| Adjusting Link Previews | Supported | — | — |
| Correction of Sent Images | Supported | — | — |
| Cropping/Rotating/Tilting Images | Supported | — | Cropping/rotating only |
| Drawing on Media | With high precision | Supported | On images only |
| Adding Masks, Stickers, Shapes, Text | To images and videos (with extended capabilities) | To images and videos (without shapes) | Only to images (text and emoji) |
| Adding Animated Stickers | To images and videos | — | — |
| Media Correction | For images and videos | — | — |
| Skin Softening | For selfies | — | — |
| Image Filters | Via bots | Supported | — |
| Image Blurring | Supported | — | — |
| Curves Tool | For images and videos | — | — |
| Trimming Videos and Video Messages | Supported | Videos only | — |
| Cropping and Rotating Videos | Supported | — | — |
| Video Resolution | Supported | — | — |
| Muting | Supported | — | — |
| Creation of Animations | As muted videos | Supported (with different modes) | — |
| Bulk Deletion | Up to 100 messages at a time | Supported | Supported |
| Deleting Messages | Any private messages, own messages in groups | Own private messages (with notification about deletion) | Own private messages (during 1 hour with notification about deletion) |
| Deleting Messages By Date | In one-on-one chats, with support for date range | — | — |
| Self-Destruction of Sent Photos/Videos | Supported (destruction in range from 1 s to 1 min after a message is viewed or ViewOnce) | — | Via ViewOnce, without configuration |
| Self-Destruction of Sent Voice/Video Messages | Supported | — | Via ViewOnce (voice ones only) |
| Deleting The Cache of Separate Messages | Supported (iOS) | Not supported (architectural limitations) | Not supported (architectural limitations) |
| Media | All kinds | All kinds | All kinds |
| Web Content | YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Instagram, SoundCloud... | YouTube | — |
| Streaming of | Media and web content | Media and YouTube | — |
| Picture-in-Picture | For videos, video messages and web content (Android, iOS, Desktop) | YouTube | — |
| Scaling of | Images and videos | Images | Images |
| Rotation Of | Images and videos (Telegram Desktop) | — | — |
| Background Playback of | Music and voice messages | — | — |
| Music Player | Available, changing playback sequence, support for various formats (MP3, FLAC)... | — | Limited playback |
| Changing Playback Speed | Granular, for video, audio, voice and video messages | — | For voice messages |
| Video Rewind | Available, with support for thumbnail previews and timestamps | — | — |
| Remembering Playback Positions | For long audio (podcasts, audiobooks), video and voice messages | — | — |
| Autoplaying of Animations and Videos | Supported (unmuting with volume buttons) | Supported | — |
| Stickers and Sticker Packs Preview | Supported | Stickers Only | — |
| Animations Preview | Supported | — | — |
| “Raise to Listen” (to Listen to Voice Messages) | Supported (including video messages) | Supported | Supported |
| Message Info | Exact time of sending and editing, status of sending/reading | Status of sending/reading | Exact time and status of sending, viewing, reading |
| Message Translation | Opt-in, with extra settings (the text is sent to the third-party) | Supported (the text is sent to the third-party) | Not supported |
| Voice Messages/Video Transcription | Supported (the message is sent to a third-party) | With Plus (the message is sent to a third-party) | Not supported |
| Favorite Messages/Content | Via sending to Saved Messages, or adding animations/stickers to favorites | Via extension | Supported |
| Viewing the Origin of Reply/Forwarded Message | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Saving Content to Cloud | Unlimited by volume and storage period | — | — |
| Chats' Structuring: Concept | Creation of folders (tabs) with instant cloud sync across all your devices | — | Creation of communities managed by admins and consisting of groups |
| Chats' Structuring: Filtering | Filtering inclusions (by chat type, individual chats), exclusions (of muted, read, archived chats or individual chats) | — | — |
| Chats' Structuring: Limitations | Up to 10 folders with up to 100 chats per each (20 folders, 200 chats in Premium) | — | — |
| Chats' Structuring: Other Features | Creation of quick folders, syncing the sequence of folders/chats, support for keyboard shortcuts, icons (Telegram Desktop); Premium: changing default folder, auto archiving and muting | — | Announcement messages in communities |
| Operations with Multiple Chats Simultaneously | Pinning/unpinning, (un)archiving, deleting, clearing history, cache, marking as read/unread, enabling/disabling notifications, adding/removing from folder | — | — |
| Clearing/Deleting Data For All Members | Of chats, groups and call history | — | — |
| Preview Of | Your accounts; chats, users | — | — |
| Chat Video Avatars | Supported | — | — |
| Viewing Content By Media Types | Flexible access to: saved, media, files, links, audio, voice messages, GIF | By such categories as: media, links, files, GIF | Partially supported, other than that goods catalogs are available in WhatsApp Business |
| Filtering Media Types By Sender | Supported (on global search) | Supported (on the chat level) | — |
| Pinning Messages | In particular several ones with an option to view all | Supported (one message) | — |
| Auto-Delete Messages | After an arbitrary duration | After 10 s, 30s, 1 min, 1 hour (mobile devices only) | After 24 hours, 7 or 90 days with support for a default setting and message exceptions |
| Preserving Selective Messages | Via forwarding into Saved Messages or another chat | Via forwarding into Saved Messages or another chat | Supported (when auto-delete is enabled) |
| Pinning Chats | Up to 5 chats (10 in Premium), unlimited number in archive, folders | Supported | Supported |
| Hiding Chats | By archiving and setting pass lock or via folders | Only on mobile devices, it's impossible to restore hidden chats on desktop/tablet | By archiving |
| Snoozing Chats | Via archiving with notifications muting | Supported | — |
| Locking Chats | — | — | Supported |
| Filtering Unknown Chats | Auto-archiving only | Automatic | — |
| Viewing Groups in Common with Contact | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Adding Contacts with Unknown Number | Supported | — | — |
| Adding Contacts to Multiple Chats At A Time | — | Supported (for up to 10 groups on Android) | — |
| Marking as Read/Unread | Supported (for chats) | Supported (for chats) | Supported (for chats) |
| Marking An Archive as Read | Supported (for all its chats) | Archive is not supported | — |
| Clearing Chat Cache | Supported | — | — |
| Remembering Chats' Positions | Supported | — | Partially (until the app is reopened) |
| Notification Control for Individual Chats | Custom sounds, temporary/permanent muting, system settings, icon counter... | Settings limited to OS (starting from Android 8.0), temporary muting | Temporary/permanent muting |
| Chat Translation | In real-time (Premium, the text is sent to a third-party) | Not supported | Not supported |
| Downloads Manager | Supported, with priority changes | — | — |
| Purpose | Cloud access to your personal data from any devices | My Notes: message saving and sync, creation of lists | — |
| Quick Jump to Forwarded Message Source | Supported | Supported | — |
| Sending Reminders | Supported, via scheduled messages | With support for repetitions | Via paid integration with Any.do service |
| Marking Messages Done | — | Supported | — |
| View Saved Messages by Chat | Supported, with an ability to pin chats | — | — |
| Tags for Saved Messages | Supported (Premium) | — | — |
| Communication with Contacts | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Communication with Public Accounts | As with user (via username, location), via bots (e.g., feedback bots) | Supported | Supported (via WhatsApp for Business) |
| Messages Read Time | Available | — | — |
| Setting Profile Photos For Contacts | With possibility to propose photos | — | — |
| Additional Security Features | In scope of secret chats | Screenshot notifications | — |
| Gifting Premium Subscriptions | Supported (for 3, 6 or 12 months) | — | Subscriptions are absent |
| Secured Chats with Contacts | Supported | Support for such separate chats' type has been ended | Not supported, all chats use end-to-end encryption with possibility to collate digital or QR-codes, but backup encryption is optional |
| End-to-End Encryption | Supported (MTProto) | Supported (Unknown) | |
| Notifications' Contents | Hidden (from lockscreen) | Shown (on lockscreen) | |
| Screenshots | Blocked | Are being notified | |
| Copying/Forwarding of Info Outside | Blocked | Available | |
| Message Self-Destruction Timer | 1 s - 1 week | 10 s, 30 s, 1 min, 1 h | |
| Security Check | Via comparison of encryption key | Not supported | |
| Support for Bots/Extensions | Supported | — | |
| Backups | Unavailable | Available | |
| Interaction with Businesses | Via bots, channels | Via chats with Viber Business accounts | Via chats with WhatsApp Business accounts |
| Company Profile | As description of a bot, channel or as their contents | As a separate page with details and links | As a separate page with details |
| Goods Catalogs | Via channels with invoice messages and merchant bots | Supported | Supported |
| "Flows" | Via extended capabilities of web bots | — | As UI for simplified interactions |
| A Cart of Goods | — | — | Supported |
| Buying Goods | Via Telegram Bot Payments API | Supported | Supported |
| Adaptability To Business Needs | High (full control in scope of Telegram Bot API) | Average | Average (limited by WhatsApp Business API) |
| Communication with Artificial Intelligence | Unlimited, via respective bots (official ones are missing) | — | Via special chats with AI |
| Image Generation | In scope of capabilities of the respective bots (official ones are missing) | Via /imagine query to Meta AI | |
| Organized Through | Groups; Broadcast Groups | Groups; Communities | Groups |
| Maximum Number of Participants | Groups - 200 000; Broadcast Groups - unlimited (only admins can send messages) |
Groups – 250; Communities – unlimited |
1024 |
| Encryption | Supported (MTProto in cloud mode) | Groups support encryption, communities use SSL | Supported (backup encryption is optional) |
| Info Editing | Changing group name, photo and description | Changing name and photo, communities also support description | Changing group name, photo and description |
| History Visibility for New Members | Is controlled | Visible only in communities | Invisible |
| Access Method | Private and public groups | Private/public communities, private groups | Private groups |
| Public Groups | Access via open link, request; search by name | Access to communities via link/edited screenshot, search for verified communities by name, badges support | — |
| Private Groups | Access via closed link | Access to groups/communities via closed link | Access via closed link |
| Extended Invite Links | With support for naming, join requests and limits on duration/number of uses | — | With support for join requests |
| Protected Content | Supported | — | — |
| Hiding Member List | Available (in groups with 100+ people) | — | — |
| Location-Based Groups | Supported (as public groups with an option to search them according to your location). | — | — |
| "Topics" | As special chats, which enable forum-like experience. | — | — |
| Posting On Behalf Of A Channel | In public groups (Premium) | — | — |
| Receiving Private Messages | Supported (phone numbers of new people are hidden) | Supported in communities (phone numbers of new people are hidden), it's possible to prohibit this | — |
| Manual Adding to Groups | Supported | Supported, particularly without having a phone number | Supported |
| Unified Message History | Yes, changes are synced in real-time | Communities only, with limited sync | — |
| Slow Mode | Supported (sending not more than one message per chosen time interval) | — | — |
| Changing Owner | Supported | — | — |
| Admin Titles | Supported (changing titles in admin messages) | — | — |
| Choosing and Controlling Admins | Atomic rights on: changing group info, moderation, deleting messages, blocking/unblocking users, link invites, pinning messages, adding/removing admins, anonymous message sending, managing video chats | Group admins: adding/removing admins, users Communities admins: adding/removing/blocking members, pinning messages, moderation, deleting messages Communities superadmins other than that have: rights to change group info, elevating/decreasing rights, changing background for members, access to admins' contact data |
Rights to change group info, adding/removing users/admins, inviting by links |
| Viewing Action History | Within last 48 hours | — | — |
| General Statistics | Detailed integrated stats, extended statistics via bots | Through Community Insights tools | — |
| Individual Messages' Statistics | Detailed, but only for channels | For communities only | — |
| Users' Permissions Control | Atomic rights on: sending text messages, media (of every type), stickers and GIF, polls, text links, adding users, pinning messages, changing group info | Rights to: send messages (atomic control by community superadmins) | Sending messages, changing group info |
| Adding Exceptions for Individual Users | Supported, including temporary exceptions | Limited support | Limited support |
| Official Sticker Packs | In groups starting from 100 people | — | — |
| Sponsor Sticker Packs | Absent | Present, installing sticker pack joins to community, stickers serve as a links to community | Absent |
| User Mentions | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Reply Chains (Threads) | Supported | — | — |
| Writing Messages by New Users | Supported by default | Not supported for communities by default | Supported by default |
| Message Read Receipts For Individual Users | In small groups with timestamps (information is stored for 7 days) | Groups only (communities are not supported) | — |
| Silent Group Leaving | — | — | Only admins get notifications |
| Collections of Favorites | Via a set of pinned messages, viewing by media types or filtering by hashtags | Supported for communities | — |
| Smart Notifications | Supported (not more often than m times per n minutes) | Supported (additional configuration is impossible) | — |
| Extending Capabilities | Unlimited, by using bots, including moderation and automation | — | — |
| To Send Messages to Several Recipients | Implemented via channels, groups or one-time sending | Supported (up to 50 recipients) | Supported |
| Via | Channels; Broadcast Groups | Channels; Communities; Business Inbox; Public Accounts | Channels |
| Number of Subscribers | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Encryption | Supported (MTProto in cloud mode) | SSL (Communities) | — |
| Editing Info | Changing name, photo and description of channel | Changing name, photo and description of community | Changing name, photo and description of channel |
| Common Posts History | Yes, changes are synced in real-time | Yes | Yes, stored only for 30 days |
| Viewing Action History | Within last 48 hours | — | — |
| Access Method | Private and public channels | Private and public communities, channels | Public channels available, or not available in directories |
| Public | Access by public link, search by name | Access to public accounts by link, to communities by link/edited screenshot, searching verified ones by name, badges support | Access by a link, or from a directory |
| Private | Access via private link | Access via private link, only on mobile devices | — |
| Extended Invite Links | With support for naming, request approvals and limits on duration/number of uses | — | — |
| Protected Content | Supported | — | Supported |
| Manual Adding of Subscribers | Supported | Supported | — |
| Info About Message Authors | Hidden, sending from the channel name with optional admin signatures | Hidden (in channels only) | Hidden |
| Changing Owner | Supported | — | — |
| Choosing and Controlling Admins | Atomic rights on: changing channel info, posting messages, editing and deleting others' messages, inviting users by link, adding admins, managing video chats | Similar to group category | Supported |
| Users Blacklist | Supported | Supported (via blocking) | — |
| Silent Sending | Supported | — | — |
| Quick Muting | Supported | — | — |
| Views Counter | Supported | — | — |
| Comfy Messages Sharing | Supported (choosing/searching recipients, commenting) | — | — |
| Favorites Collections | Via a set of pinned messages, viewing by media types or filtering by hashtags | Supported | — |
| Community Highlights | Highlights in channels, discussions in groups | Supported for communities and channels | — |
| Discussions and Comments | Built-in comments based on discussion groups, or comments via bots (@discussbot, @commentsbot) | Built-in comments in channels | — |
| Viewing Similar Channels | Supported | — | — |
| Presence of Advertising | From the privacy-conscious ad platform and channel owners | Other than communities, ads are received in form of business messages and emails from Viber (if you connected your email address) | From channel owners |
| Sponsored Channels | For financial help to MTProto Proxy authors | Proxy infrastructure is missing | — |
| Sponsored Sticker Packs | Absent | Present (installing sticker pack joins you to community, stickers serve as links to community | Absent |
| Giveaways For Subscribers | Of Premium subscriptions with extra options | Absent | Absent |
| General Statistics | Detailed integrated stats, in particular for stories, extended statistics via bots | Via Community & Channel Insights tools | — |
| Individual Posts' Statistics | Detailed integrated stats, in particular for stories | Supported (views, shares, link clicks) | — |
| Feedback | Via bots, separate chats | Via public accounts | — |
| Browsing Contents | Supported (public channels could be read from browser) | Supported (communities) | — |
| Extending Capabilities | Unlimited (via bots) | — | — |
| Use Cases | Blogs, educational, entertainment mass media, news channels, structuring your own info, monetization… | Limited sending of news, media, monetization | Limited blogs, educational, entertainment mass media, news channels |
| Access to Web Content | Implemented using bots with support for inline-mode | Supported | — |
| Examples of Available Web Services | Bing Image Search, Tenor, IMDb, YouTube, Wikipedia, Spotify, Gmail, Foursquare, Guggy, Vlipsy, GIPHY… | YouTube, Tenor, GIPHY, Guggy, Gfycat, FC Barcelona, TuneMoji, Vlipsy, Vice, Booking… | |
| Main Concept | Messenger integration with any services, performing the whole diversity of tasks within Telegram | Chatbots for business optimization and user support during interaction with public accounts | — |
| Implementation | Special Telegram accounts without phone number that are controlled by applications and answer or refer to users within Bot API capabilities and developers' fantasy | Applications that answer to users via Viber API, offering in particular various business offers and relevant info | |
| Bot Attributes | Name, photo, description, address and explanatory message | Public account level parameters (brand, description, location and CTA-buttons) | |
| Creation Limitations | Almost absent | All requirements to bots and requirements to public account | |
| Supported Content Types | All (supported by Telegram), in particular, location and phone number, polls | Text, image, video, contact, URL, carousels, graphics and location | |
| Possibility of Monetization | Supported | On public accounts level | |
| Chat-Mode Communication | Yes, by utilizing messages, commands, keyboards and reactions | Yes, with help of messages and flexible keyboards | |
| Inline-Mode Communication | Supported (sending requests and getting responses on-the-fly) | Limited implemenation via extensions | |
| Interaction with Bot Messages | Via inline keyboards with support to update dynamic messages content | Limited support (via buttons) | |
| Web UI Integration | With unlimited capabilities | — | |
| Handling Community Join Requests | Supported | — | |
| Chat And User Selection | Based on certain criteria | — | |
| Context-dependent Logic | Based on UI languages, user/chat types | — | |
| Adding Bots to Other Chats | Supported (to groups/channels) | — | |
| Stopping Bots | Supported | At the level of public accounts via unsubscribing | |
| Permission to Speak | Supported (to send notifications) | — | |
| Private Mode In Groups | Supported | — | |
| Deep Linking | Supported | Supported (oriented at public chats) | |
| Quick Web-Authorization | Supported ( via links) | — | |
| Localization | Supported | — | |
| Creation of Bots | Via bot @BotFather and Bot API | Via Viber REST API | |
| Use Cases | Receiving news, information, notifications, buying services and goods, creation of new tools, games, social services, UX optimization (IV, link previews), learning, automation, feedback, authorization, quizzes, donations and a lot more | Receiving news, information, ads, communication to public account, support | |
| Destination | Interaction with the personalized user and channel social status | — | Interaction with the personalized user social status |
| Types of Supported Content | Text, video messages, stickers, reaction stickers, location and other media with support for extended editing, configuration of the availability period | Text and media with support for editing, which are available within 24 hours after sending | |
| Main Capabilities | Viewing status, reposts, reactions, preparing replies and forwarding, saving drafts, archiving and more | Viewing contacts' status, reactions, preparing replies and forwarding | |
| Photo Cutouts | Supported | — | |
| Dual Camera Mode | With flexible configuration | — | |
| Front Flash | With flexible configuration | — | |
| Publishing Into Profile | Supported | — | |
| Reposting Stories | With support for editing | — | |
| Sharing Posts in Stories | With appearance customization | — | |
| Editing Published Stories | Supported | — | |
| Detailed Statistics | Supported | — | |
| Muting Notifications | Supported | Supported (for individual contacts) | |
| Privacy Settings | Granular | Supported with audience selection | |
| Types of Connection | Audio, video | Audio, video | Audio, video |
| Connection Quality | High | High | High |
| Connection Stability | Low (periodic stutters, echo, delays, quality drops, disconnections, key exchange issues) | High | High |
| Encryption | Supported (MTProto in secret mode) | Supported (unknown implemention) | Supported (theoretically Signal) |
| Peer-to-Peer Mode | Supported | Supported | — |
| Quick Encryption Security Check | By comparing 4 emoji | Not supported (only through cumbersome code) | — |
| Picture-In-Picture Mode | For video calls | For video calls | For video calls |
| Flipping Cameras | Yes, on phones | Yes, on phones | Yes, on phones |
| Inidication of Interlocutor Online Availability | Via different kinds of tones | — | — |
| Accepting/Rejecting Cellular Calls During The Call | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Quick Text Replies | Supported (with possibility to change default replies) | Supported (without possibility to change replies) | Supported (without possibility to change replies) |
| Ads | Absent | After calls | Absent |
| Transferring The Call to Device | — | To phone/PC | — |
| Screen Sharing | Supported (low screen resolution) | Supported (on Viber Desktop) | — |
| Cellular Calls | Not supported (they contradict the philosophy and security approach) | Via paid Viber Out | Not supported |
| Caller ID | Not supported (privacy threat) | Supported | Not supported |
| Types of Connection | Audio, video | Audio, video | Audio, video |
| Number of Participants | Unlimited, video broadcasting from the first 30 members | Up to 40 participants | Up to 32 participants (in particular on Facebook Portal) |
| Organized As | Video chats/live streams available from groups and channels | Calls from groups, or extension of 1:1 calls | Calls from groups, extension of 1:1 calls, or as separate group calls |
| Encryption | — | — | Supported (theoretically Signal) |
| Connection Stability | Low (periodic stutters, echo, delays) | High | High |
| Controlling Number of Speakers | Via flexible admin tools | — | — |
| Joining On Behalf of Community | Supported, on behalf of one of own channels or current group | — | — |
| Quick Access Widget | Supported (Android) | — | — |
| Push-to-Talk | Supported, with custom hotkey support | — | — |
| "Raising Hand" | Supported | — | — |
| Screen Sharing | Supported, with an option to share individual windows on desktop (low screen resolution) | Supported (on Viber Desktop) | — |
| RTMP Streaming | Supported (particularly via OBS Studio) | — | — |
| Recording Conferences | Supported, with recording indication | — | — |
| Quick Invitation of Participants | Via links for speakers or listeners | — | Via link |
| Conference Titles | Supported (as video chat names) | — | — |
| Scheduling Conferences | With countdown and notifications | — | — |
| Pinning Individual Participant's Video | Supported | Supported | — |
| Flexible Video Grid | For tablets and PCs | — | — |
| Correction Of Individual Members' Volume Level | Supported, including changes for everyone in cloud mode | — | — |
| Disabling Noise Suppression | Supported | — | — |
| Ads | Absent | After calls | Absent |
| Via | Integrated means (GIF, stickers), bots or independent websites | Discover | — |
| By Text | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| By Hashtags | Including multiple hashtags | — | — |
| By File Names | Supported | — | — |
| By Links Preview Text | Supported | — | — |
| Filtering By Date | Supported | — | — |
| Filtering By Sender | Supported | — | — |
| On The Web | — | — | Supported (for actively forwarded message contents) |
| By Names | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Of Data | Supported (messages, bots, users, sticker packs, channels…) | Local device only (except for verified communities) | Local device only |
| Filtering | By date, chat or combined | — | — |
| Viewing By Categories | Chats, media, links, files, music, voice messages | — | Photos, videos, links, polls |
| By Names | Supported (for files and audio) | — | — |
| By Name | Supported | — | — |
| By Keyword | Supported (by words added to localization platform) | Supported | |
| By Keyword | Supported | Limited support | — |
| By Emoji | Supported | Supported | |
| By Requests | Supported (via bots in particular) | Supported (via extensions) | — |
| By Requests | Supported | — | — |
| By Requests | Supported (via bots in particular) | Supported (via extensions) | Supported |
| Via Popular Emoji | Supported | Using extension with search by key tags | — |
| By Requests | Supported | Supported (via extensions) | Supported |
| By Requests | Supported via bots | Supported via extensions | — |
| By Names | Supported | — | — |
| Notification Exceptions In Settings | Supported | ||
| By Questions/Answers | Supported | — | — |
| Simplicity of Apps | Simple | Of average complexity | Simple |
| Forethought of UI, Controls and Animations | High | Low | Average |
| Innovations Support and Integration with OS | High | Average | Average |
| A Number of Bugs | High | Low | Low |
| Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Actions | Extended support | Average support | Average support |
| QR-codes | For invite links (in particular temporary ones), sharing proxies (on macOS), authorization (Telegram Desktop), with theming support | Used to add friends, joining to groups, adding coupons, authorization | Used for encryption keys' collation, group invitations, adding contacts, reaching out to businesses |
| Quick Transitions | To the beginning of chat list, to last message, mention or date in the chat, to recent chats | Limited support | Limited support |
| Quick Selection of Messages | Supported | — | — |
| Quick Selection of Chats | On iOS | — | — |
| Quick Viewing of Unread Posts | For channels by folder priority | — | — |
| Quick Access To Trending Stickers | Supported | — | — |
| Changing The Recipient of Forwarding Messages | Supported | — | — |
| Choosing Action On Chat Swipe | Supported (changing folder, archiving, deleting, pinning, marking as read, muting) | — | — |
| Undo Clearing History and Deleting Chats | Supported, within 5 seconds (Android, iOS) | — | — |
| Undo Deleting Messages | — | For messages deleted for yourself (Desktop) | — |
| Quick Video Playback in Full-Screen Mode | Via screen rotation | — | — |
| Accurate Fast-forwarding/Rewinding | Of audio, video and stories | — | — |
| Viewing All Artist's Soundtracks | Supported | — | — |
| Home Screen Widgets | Supported | — | Supported |
| Quick Greeting Stickers | Supported | Supported | — |
| Scaling in Media Editor | For drawing | — | — |
| Quick Image Zooming | Via pinch-to-zoom | — | — |
| Personalization of Individual Chats | Changing themes and wallpapers (Premium: also for colocutors) for personal chats and channels | Changing backgrounds | — |
| Personalization of Account Colors | Supported (Premium) | — | — |
| Extended Backgrounds Configuration | Supported (patterns, their intensity, blur, motion, animations) | — | — |
| Themes Support | Supported, in particular, custom, cloud themes, global themes | Dark and dark-blue theme only | Dark theme only |
| Night Mode Support | With deep integration and support for quick activation via switch | — | — |
| Transition to Night Mode | On schedule, with sunrise/sunset or according to light sensor measurements | Supported (according to system settings) | — |
| Indication of Active Call Participants | Supported (with volume level visualisation) | — | — |
| Configuring Message Bubbles Appearance | Supported | — | — |
| Compact Window Mode on Desktop | Supported, Telegram Desktop has highly adaptive UI | — | — |
| Implementation of Delivery Status Labels | 1 check – message was delivered to cloud and notification was sent to recipient; 2 checks – message was read by recipient. Delivery to a device is not indicated, because Telegram can work on unlimited number of devices |
1 check – message is being sent; 2 checks – message was delivered to recipient's phone; 2 highlighted checks – recipient has read the message |
1 check – message was sent; 2 checks – message was delivered to recipient's phone; 2 highlighted checks – recipient has read the message. |
| FAQ App Integration | Via displaying in Instant View | Via opening a web-page | Via opening a web-page |
| Birthday Reminders | Extra data isn't collected | Supported, with privacy settings configuration | Extra data isn't collected |
| Sorting Contacts | By name or by last seen | By name | By name |
| Sorting Files To Be Attached | By name or changing date (including music) | By name | By name |
| VoiceOver, TalkBack | Supported | — | — |
| Tools | Universal, powerful Telegram API and TDLib | — | — |
| Development Capabilities | Access to Bot API via detailed REST interface and libraries for most popular platforms | Access to Viber API via REST interface and NodeJS Bot API, Python Bot API | — |
| Payments Support | Via Bot Payments API | Via Apple Pay, Google Pay | |
| Bot API on Own Servers | Supported (as an alternative to api.telegram.org) | — | |
| Bot Ownership Transfer | Via @BotFather bot | — | |
| Integration with CRM | Via bots | Within public accounts | |
| Integration with New Platforms | Unlimited | Limited to business area and public accounts | |
| News/Discussions About Bot API | @BotNews channel, @BotTalk group | — | |
| Implementation | Via Bot API in form of @stickers bot with possibility to sync packs across all your devices | Via commercial store with manual stickers transfer | Limited stickers support through third-party apps (there is also available a set of standard packs) |
| Approach | Open and free platform with optional paid features | Semi-closed and commercial platform | |
| Free Capabilities | Creation, managing and sharing all types of sticker sets, custom emoji as well as viewing their statistics | Creation, managing and sharing your own stickers | |
| Paid Capabilities | Sending custom emoji and premium stickers (Premium) | Buying and downloading sticker sets | |
| Mechanisms of Sets Creation | Via the bot or API for developers | Via built-in interface | |
| Contests to Create Packs | Present | — | |
| Implementation | Via Bot API in form of bots like @gamee | Via GAMEE or Games extension | — |
| Extra Resources Usage | Almost absent, games – are HTML5 content provided by bots | Almost absent, games – are HTML5 content provided by extensions | |
| Contests | Supported (through sharing games in chats and setting the records) | Limited support via sending records manually | |
| Concept | Theoretical support for short chat-stories via Bot API | Publishing, access and reading short stories represented as chats | — |
| Concept | Quick and handy reading of articles from Telegram mobile apps | — | — |
| Implementation | Construction of optimized for mobile devices web pages through sets of templates on Telegram servers | ||
| Main Advantages | Speed, network traffic economy, caching, configuring appearance, no ads, convenient translation, simple adoption by developers and support by thousands of websites | ||
| Concept | A web service for convenient commenting with possibility to add comments to both Telegram channels and external websites | — | — |
| Implementation | Via comments.app website and @discussbot with authorization via Telegram | ||
| Sync With Built-In Comments | Supported | ||
| Main Capabilities | Comments with text and photos, likes, dislikes, replies, subscription to notifications | ||
| Concept | Creation, editing, discovery and participation in global quizzes | — | — |
| Implementation | Combining a set of polls with correct answers into quizzes with support for spreading via bot | ||
| Interaction Via | @quizbot, quiz.directory website, groups, channels | ||
| Main Features | Global stats, explanations, timers, question shuffling | ||
| Extensions | Aside from using @quizbot, it's also possible to create similar bots via Bot API | ||
| Implementation | Creating of articles with support for media and web content via minimalistic website telegra.ph | — | — |
| Controlling And Binding Own Articles | Via Telegraph API for Logins and Stats | ||
| Viewing Statistics | Supported | ||
| Availability | Integration with other services via open API as well as independent usage is possible | ||
| Instant View | Supported | ||
| Implementation | Viewing video messages of public communities via telesco.pe website | — | — |
| Login via Messenger Account | Is not required | ||
| Via | Bot @IFTTT | — | — |
| Capabilities | Automated two-way connection of Telegram with more than 360 services (Instagram, Dropbox, Philips Hue…) by utilizing IFTTT applets | ||
| Creation of Own Applets | Supported | ||
| Via | Telegram Login for Websites widget and extended capabilities of Bot API and authorization bots | — | — |
| Opportunities | Signing up and login on websites using Telegram account | ||
| Via | Platform Telegram Passport | — | — |
| Based On | Personal info and such documents as passport, identity code, driving license, translated documents… | ||
| Protection Mechanisms | End-to-end encryption inside Telegram cloud with access via Telegram account password | ||
| Verification Via Third-party Services Providers | Supported, there's no need to give target resource a direct access to documents on each authorization | ||
| Prospects | Integration with blockchain platforms and financial systems to ensure operations safety | ||
| Concept | Collective creation and improvement of UI translations with committing own proposals and voting | — | — |
| Updating Approved Changes | In real-time via Telegram cloud | ||
| Installing Languages | Via links and localization files | ||
| Adding Keywords | Supported, it's possible to add keywords in any language to search emoji and stickers | ||
| Concept | Creation, configuration, editing, searching and sharing artwork with others | — | — |
| Via | Apps and website | ||
| Creation and Sharing Themes | Supported (contest results are posted on official channels for desktop, android) | ||
| Creation and Sharing of Backgrounds | Supported (it's possible to share and quickly set chat background) | ||
| Ways of Sharing | Local files or links (with support for cloud sync and cross-platform access) | ||
| Concept | Working with cards that describe fixes and suggestions to implement in Telegram apps | — | — |
| Via | Website | ||
| Significance | Community-driven definition of Telegram's direction of evolution and development | ||
| Main Capabilities | Creation, tracking, voting, commenting and subscription to the messenger's notifications | ||
| Destination |
|
— | — |
| Implementation | Discussing, assessing works and showing winners via contest.com website | ||
| Informing About Contests' Details | Via official channels: Telegram Contests, Telegram Designers, Aptitude Test Contest | ||
| Submission of Works and Applications | Via bots @contestbot, @jobs_bot, @design_bot | ||
| Questions and Discussions | Through website and groups for discussions Telegram Contests, Telegram Contests (RU) | ||
| Ensuring Unbiased Assessment | Owing to anonymous results representation | ||
| Concept | Decentralized auction for t.me pseudonyms/domains and anonymous numbers based on TON blockchain | — | — |
| Implementation | Bidding/buying/selling of items via fragment.com with their subsequent connection to Telegram account | ||
| Assets Availability | As anonymous numbers and any number of additional pseudonyms for users and chats | ||
| Users (Via Username) | Supported | — | — |
| Users (Via phone number) | Supported | — | Supported (with possibility to type text messages) |
| Communities | To public/private channels and groups | Only to communities | Only to private groups |
| Conferences | To video chats as a speaker or listener | — | — |
| Bots | Supported | Supported | — |
| Chat Collections | Supported (with extended configuration) | — | — |
| Messages | Supported (public and private) | — | — |
| Media Timestamps | Supported | — | — |
| Sticker Packs | Supported | Supported | — |
| Themes | Supported | — | — |
| Backgrounds | Supported | — | — |
| UI Languages | Supported | — | — |
| Business Catalogs | — | — | Supported |
| Other Options and Features | Wide support: 1, 2 | Minimal support | Minimal support |
| Messages of Public Channels/Groups | Supported | — | — |
| Info About Public Chat | Supported | Supported | |
| Badges / Share Buttons | Supported (with granular configuration and own options) | Limited support | |
| Via | Telegram Support Initiative | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Interaction With Profile Media | With photos, video, emoji, stickers and support for viewing previous ones, creation, editing, search on the web, in particular for channels, groups and contacts | With photos only (social media import is supported) | With photos only |
| Changing Name | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Creation/Changing Username | Supported | — | — |
| Changing Phone Number | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Changing Description About Yourself | Supported | Description is not supported | Supported (description is mandatory) |
| Changing Emoji Status | Supported (Premium only) | Basic badges (Plus only) | — |
| Buying Subscription | Telegram Premium | Viber Plus | Subscriptions are absent |
| Gifting Subscriptions | Telegram Premium for up to 10 people at a time | — | Subscriptions are missing |
| Backup/Recovery | Via comprehensive cloud sync | Supported (including frequency configuration) | Supported (including configuration of frequency, network and adding video) |
| Restoring Default Settings | Only for separate groups of settings | Supported | Only for separate groups of settings |
| Deleting Account | Supported (from website) | Supported | Supported |
| Controlling Notifications By Chat Types | Supported (private chats, groups, channels, stories) | Limited support within Android settings | Supported (chats, groups) |
| Support for Notification Exceptions | For each chat type with support for their quick clearing | Limited support within Android settings | Via separate chats settings |
| Configuration of Parameters | Showing text, LED color, vibration, pop-up notifications, sound and priority | Showing text, pop-up notifications, sound, screen light, unlocking for pop-up notifications | Sound, vibration, pop-up notifications, LED color, quick overview of important notifications |
| Calls Control | Changing type of vibration and ringtone | Enabling/disabling vibration, changing ringtone | Changing type of vibration and ringtone |
| Badge Counter Settings | Displaying, taking into account chats without notifications, number of messages | — | — |
| In-App Notifications | Availability of sound, vibration, messages text, sounds in chats, priority | Availability of sound (in chats) | Sound in chats |
| Events Notifications | Joining of contact to Telegram, pinned messages | Joining of contact to Viber | Changing chat encryption code (disabled/enabled) |
| Showing Icon In Notification Bar | Only when notifications arrived | Enabled/disabled | Only when notifications arrived |
| Restarting App In Case of Closing | Supported (for reliable notification receiving) | — | — |
| Background Connection | Supported (for reliable notification receiving) | — | — |
| Repeating Notifications | Supported | — | — |
| Resetting Chats' Notifications Settings | Supported | — | Supported |
| Blocking Users | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Visibility of Phone Number | To all, you contacts, nobody | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Finding by Phone Number | Everybody, your contacts (learn more) | Configuration is not supported (everybody) | Configuration is not supported (everybody) |
| Viewing Last Seen/Online Status | All, your contacts, nobody | Limited support, configuring online status is possible once a day; also in a one-way mode (Viber Plus) | All, your contacts, nobody |
| Hiding Messages Read Time | Supported (one-way mode only in Premium) | — | — |
| Viewing Message Reading Status | Not supported, read message is shown as read to collocutor | Supported; also in a one-way mode (Viber Plus) | Enabled/disabled |
| Viewing Profile Status | — | — | Your contacts; your contacts except for; only share with |
| Viewing Profile Description | All, your contacts, nobody | — | All, your contacts, nobody |
| Viewing Profile Picture | All, your contacts, nobody, with support for public profile pictures | Supported | All, your contacts, nobody |
| Forwarding Your Messages | All, your contacts, nobody | — | — |
| Receiving Calls | From all, your contacts or nobody | Configuration is not supported | Only the possibility to mute calls from unknown numbers |
| Peer-to-Peer Calls | With all, with your contacts, with nobody | Enabled/disabled | — |
| Adding to Groups | All, your contacts | All, your contacts | All, your contacts, nobody |
| Sending Voice/Video Messages | All, your contacts, nobody (Premium) | — | — |
| Sending Messages | All, your contacts and Premium users (Premium) | — | — |
| Exceptions Support | For all rules: from phone number to groups | Configuration is not supported | For online status, last seen, profile photo, about and status |
| Adding Groups to Exceptions | Supported | — | — |
| Hiding New Chats From Non-Contacts | Disabled/enabled (turns off notifications and archives such chats) | — | — |
| Location Data Sharing Status | Is shown in notification panel | — | Supported |
| Passcode Lock | Supported (as PIN or password), it's possible to unlock with fingerprint; flexible auto-lock, notification contents' control are available | PIN only (on Viber Desktop) | With limited options |
| Hidden Chats | Limited to configuration of archived chats | Changing, resetting PIN, Touch ID support for iOS | Limited to configuration of archived chats (without passcode protection) |
| Clearing Trusted Contacts | Trusted contacts are not supported | Supported (adding contacts takes place in calls) | Trusted contacts are not supported |
| Two-Step Verification | Supported | — | Supported (6-digit PIN only) |
| Auto-Delete Messages | Opt-in, with timer control, for all new chats and selective existing ones | — | Opt-in, in 24 hours, 7 or 90 days |
| Active Sessions Control | Extended control with real-time information and permissions | Basic control | Basic control |
| Deleting Cloud Drafts | Supported | — | — |
| Automated Account Deletion Settings | Supported | — | — |
| Configuration of Identity Confirmation Service | Available (all Telegram Passport settings) | — | — |
| Clearing Payment and Shipping Info | Supported | — | — |
| Control of Web Authorizations via Messenger | Supported | — | — |
| Deleting Synced Contacts | Supported | — | — |
| Contact Sync | Enabled/disabled (cloud sync) | Enabled/disabled (sync with phone) | Configuration is not supported |
| Showing All Contacts | Not supported (there's no point to do this within Telegram) | Enabled/disabled | Not supported (there's no point to do this within WhatsApp) |
| Frequent Contacts Suggestions | Enabled/disabled | — | — |
| Secret Chats: Map Preview Provider | Preview from Telegram, Google or disabled | Configuration is not supported | — |
| Secret Chats: Link Previews | Disabled/enabled | Configuration is not supported | — |
| Connecting Account to Social Networks | Absent (privacy threat) | Supported for communication with friends (Facebook, Twitter), who have Viber account | Absent (so far) |
| Account Report | Via extended data export | — | Supported |
| Analyst Collection | Absent, Telegram doesn't collect excessive information about you | Enabled/disabled | Absent (so far) |
| Content Personalization | Absent, Telegram doesn't collect excessive information about you | Enabled/disabled | Absent (so far) |
| Accurate Location Detection for Service and Partners | Location is not disclosed to third-parties | Disabled/enabled | Location is not disclosed to third-parties |
| Storage Usage: Cache Control | Extended control by content types, chat types, with automation, exceptions and limits | Clearing of video and voice messages only | Clearing by chats, often forwarded messages or content > 5 MB |
| Storage Usage: Clearing Local Data | Supported | — | — |
| Storage Usage: Quick Memory Monitoring | Available | — | Available (Android, iOS) |
| Data Usage: Connection Types | Mobile, Wi-Fi, roaming | — | General statistics, roaming |
| Data Usage: Data Types | Photos, videos, voice/video messages, files, calls, messages and other data, total | — | Calls, media, Google Drive, messages, status, total |
| Data Usage: Statistics | Number/volume/duration of incoming/outcoming data by previous classification and visualization | — | Volume of incoming/outcoming data by previous types |
| Data Usage: Resetting Statistics | Supported | — | Supported |
| Storage Path | Internal storage/SD card (Android) | — | — |
| Automatic Media Download: Connection Types | Mobile data, Wi-Fi, roaming | Mobile data, Wi-Fi | Mobile data, Wi-Fi, roaming |
| Automatic Media Download: Preliminary Configuration | Automatic download enabled/disabled, traffic usage coefficient | Enabled/disabled | — |
| Automatic Media Download: Smart Configuration of Usage Coefficient | Supported (based on peculiarities of different countries' mobile rates) | — | — |
| Automatic Media Download: By Data Types | Photo, Video, Files | — | Photo, Audio, Videos, Documents |
| Automatic Media Download: By Chat Types | Choice for separate data types | — | — |
| Automatic Media Download: Videos | Max size, preloading of first seconds for large videos | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Automatic Media Download: Files | Max size, preloading next track (for audio) | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Saving to Gallery | Disabled/enabled (photo, video) for users, groups and channels with support for exceptions | Disabled/enabled (Android) | Enabled/disabled |
| Auto-play | For GIFs, videos and video messages | For videos | — |
| Streaming | For videos, video messages and audio files | — | — |
| Using Less Data for Calls | Only while roaming, only on mobile data, always, never | Setting is missing | Disabled/enabled |
| Mobile Data Economy | As a part of smart configuration as well as Telegram architecture optimizations | Supported | — |
| Quick Text Responses | 4 preliminary choices with an option to change them with your own | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| iOS Share Sheet Configuration | Supported | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Choosing Browser To Open Links | Supported (iOS) | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Wi-Fi Sleep Policy | Configuration is not supported | Always connected/use device settings | Configuration is not supported |
| Proxy Configuration: Usage Settings | Yes/no, use proxy for calls (yes/no) | Configuration is not supported | — |
| Proxy Configuration: Adding New Ones | Supported, proxies of SOCKS5 and encrypted MTProto types | Supported, of different types | — |
| Creation of New Themes | With configuration of dozens of parameters and support for gradients | — | — |
| Creation and Changing Backgrounds | With advanced configuration | Changing backgrounds only | Changing backgrounds only |
| Changing Messages Text Size | Supported (with size indication) | — | Supported (small, average, big) |
| Changing App Icon | Supported | — | — |
| Changing Theme | Supported (in particular standard themes), with accent colors changing | Dark theme, dark-blue theme | Dark theme |
| Changing Message Corner Radius | Supported | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Chat List View | Changing a number of text lines | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| In-App Browser Support | Enabled/disabled | Available | Configuration is not supported |
| Choosing The Default Browser To Open Links | Supported (iOS) | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Direct Share | To choose recent chats in Android share menu | — | — |
| UI Animations | Enabled/disabled | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Raise to Speak | Enabled/disabled | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Sending by Enter | Disabled/enabled | Disabled/enabled | Disabled/enabled |
| Distance Units | Automatic, kilometers, miles | — | — |
| Stickers and Masks: Suggesting Stickers by Emoji | All, your sets, none | Configuration is not supported | Configuration is not supported |
| Stickers and Masks: Dynamic Pack Order | Enabled/disabled | — | — |
| Stickers and Masks: Loop Animated Stickers | Enabled/disabled | — | — |
| Stickers and Masks: Viewing Trending Stickers | Supported (with possibility to add them) | Via store | — |
| Stickers and Masks: Stickers | Viewing, changing sequence, archiving and deletion | Viewing, changing sequence and deletion | Viewing, changing sequence and deletion |
| Stickers and Masks: Masks | Viewing, changing sequence, archiving and deletion | — | — |
| Accepting Cellular Calls | Not supported (it contradicts security approach) | Enabled/disabled via Viber-In Calls | Not supported (it contradicts security approach) |
| Receiving Business Messages | Absent | Enabled/disabled | Enabled by default, to disable you have to block users |
| Messages Translation | Within translation bots' settings | Supported (choosing language) | — |
| Editing Screenshots Before Sending | Supported (via integrated editor) | Disabled/enabled | Supported (via integrated editor) |
| Chats Export | Flexible and controlled export of all or individual chats into JSON/HTML (on Telegram Desktop) | Basic export of chats | Basic export of chats |
| Archiving All Chats | By selecting chats to be archived from chat list | — | Supported |
| Clearing/Deleting Chats | Supported for several chats (via their selection) | Clearing all personal messages | Clearing or deleting all chats, except for groups or all messages |
| Accepting Video Calls | In scope of calls privacy settings | Enabled/disabled | Configuration is not supported |
| Using Proximity Sensor | Option is missing (enabled by default) | Enabled/disabled | Option is missing (enabled by default) |
| Spell Check | Supported (Telegram Desktop) | — | — |
| With Option to Choose It | Supported | Supported | System language only (for certain countries it's possible to choose one of few languages) |
Translation updated: 02 of February, 2024
Translation author: JayXT