What are the two apps you think of when it comes to free instant messaging on a smartphone? For most people, it is Telegram and Whatsapp, which are both competing in similar markets, but each comes with subtle differences, which are preferable to certain users.

In this article, we will discuss which online communication app has the edge, asking the question, is Telegram better than Whatsapp? And if so, why?

Telegram Vs Whatsapp? – What are the Key Advantages?

In terms of basic messaging, both apps offer very comparative features, which means you have to delve deeper into the software to gain a better insight into whether Telegram is better than Whatsapp or vice versa. Both apps come with pros and cons, so ultimately, it depends on what your key requirements are as an individual.

Below is a list of the key features of each app, highlighting the difference between Telegram and Whatsapp.

Telegram Features:

• Telegram is accessible using multiple devices at the same time
• Chat groups can be created for up to 200,000 members
• Almost any type of media can be sent using Telegram
• Any type of file can be sent, up to 2GB in size
• Secret chats with a variety of control settings
• Hidden chat functionality with end-to-end encryption
• Contacts can be added anonymously with just a username

Whatsapp Features:

• Good voice call functionality
• Can be used on a smartphone or via a web browser on other devices
• An option can be activated, so messages disappear over time
• No secret chat capabilities
• Media files up to 16MB can be sent
• Documents up to 100MB can be sent
• A phone number is needed to add contacts

What is the difference between Telegram and Whatsapp?

In this section, we will take a look at the most important difference between Telegram and Whatsapp to determine which is better in individual areas. Choosing the ‘victor’ of Telegram vs Whatsapp is, of course, subjective, so each platform needs to be broken down and analyzed thoroughly to determine which is the right one for you.

Which is the easiest app to use?

Regardless of whether you need to use a chat messenger for personal use, to keep in touch with friends and family members, or if you need it for work purposes… or both, each app can cater to your needs, but which is easier to use on a day-to-day basis?

Each provides great levels of intuitiveness and a user-friendly chatting experience, with chats easily accessed directly from the app’s main landing page.

A chat can be created with a single tap in the bottom right-hand corner of each app, and by then clicking on the contact you wish to message. Meanwhile, group chats are also easy to create on each app, simply adding the contacts you wish to include in the group in a similar fashion to creating a one-on-one chat. So what sets them apart? 

Whatsapp benefits from a call function that can also be accessed from the home screen, which could give it the edge if you expect to make a lot of voice calls, as the quality of the calls is generally very good.

Telegram, however, has a significant edge in terms of being able to send media and files, allowing users to send files that are up to 2GB in size, compared to Whatsapp’s 100MB.

What are the most popular features of each app?

Ease of use is, of course, a vital factor for any app, but it’s the unique features that can sometimes be a make and break scenario for a lot of users.

Telegram can work across many different platforms and syncs all chats, files, and data across different devices, so one account can be used on different smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops. This is not something that is possible on Whatsapp, as a log-in on one device will automatically log you out of the previous one.

Telegram’s Secret Chat option has also become a very popular feature that is not replicated on Whatsapp. Secret Chats are completely private and encrypted, and either user can delete previous messages.

Telegram’s file-sharing capabilities blow Whatsapp’s out of the water, enabling users to send almost any sort of file up to 2GB in size. Meaning full-length movies can be sent over the app. Whatsapp’s file-sharing options are very meager in comparison, with a limit of 16MB for media and 100MB for files.

Whatsapp group chats are limited to 256 members, whereas Telegram allows users to create groups that can accommodate an incredible 200,000 users. Of course, this number may be unnecessary for most users, but the option to create huge groups can be extremely advantageous from a business point of view.

Both apps offer a timer setting to remove messages after a certain duration; Telegram calls this a ‘self-destruct timer,’ while Whatsapp calls them ‘disappearing messages.’ This timer will automatically delete messages following a period of time set by the user once a conversation has ended. The option is a new feature for Whatsapp; therefore, it does not have the same level of customization as its rival.

Why would you choose between Telegram and Whatsapp?

If a person’s only requirement is to send one-on-one messages to family and friends or to create small group chats, then both apps will have you covered. Whatsapp also offers good voice call functionality, but this is possibly the only real advantage of the app in comparison to Telegram.

Telegram’s file sharing service far exceeds that of Whatsapp, which can be a deal-breaker for many users who like to send large files and media to friends or work colleagues. Telegram also edges it on privacy, thanks to its secret chat feature and more advanced options in terms of deleting conversations automatically. The app also gets the nod over Whatsapp based on cross-platform synchronization.

Telegram is now growing in popularity across the globe as more and more people become aware of the app’s advanced features, and it is likely that Whatsapp will need to introduce many new features to retain its more expectant users.

We hope this article has helped describe the clear difference between Telegram and Whatsapp, so you can choose the perfect chat messenger for you.

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