Telegram AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Instant Messengers

The best Instant Messenger alternative to Telegram is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Telegram and loads of them are Instant Messengers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Instant Messenger alternatives to Telegram are Element, Tox, Wire and Matrix.

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Telegram alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Online, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux, Android + Free and Windows + Free. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Telegram.
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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1365 likes

    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    216 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    26
    186
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Telegram
    Top Positive Comment
    John Fastman
    19

    Signal uses open source, end-to-end encryption to keep your messages to another Signal user secure and private. It installs on your Android and replaces your default messaging app. (On iPhone it's a separate app.) It's super easy to use. You can still send messages to people who don't have it, but I'd encourage everyone to use it. Plain SMS messages are routinely recorded and stored forever without your persmission. Signal combats that in a very user friendly way.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    25

    can't use signal without smartphone. (scan qr-code bla-bla-bla...)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    DoodlePoddle
    Negative
    1

    Not a Telegram alternative since it doesn't offer Telegram's core function, the cloud.

    So Signal can only be compared to Whatsapp and other old style messengers.

    3 of 26 comments
    Signal icon
    Signal icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Signal is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Element icon

    Element

     776 likes

    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    302 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    12
    82
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to Telegram
    Top Positive Comment
    Sam Lander
    2

    Element is a good privacy chat that you can host yourself. However, not many people use it compared to Signal or Telegram.

    calkesh
    Negative
    -3

    Element is severely lacking in uptake. It could be the best messenger in the world (and may well be) but ultimately, if I can't talk to my friends on there, there's no incentive for me to use it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    FiTekno
    Positive
    0

    I like this because of fact its purpose is to be decentralized. however time shows as knowledge is needed to bridges be made from other platforms.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 12 comments
    Element icon
    Element icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Tox icon

    Tox

     558 likes

    With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.

    211 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
     
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    2
    76
    Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Telegram
    rrhyast
    Negative
    2

    Ugly UI and less user friendly

    Centaro
    Positive
    1

    P2P encrypted communication

    Tox icon
    Tox icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Tox is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Tox is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
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    Google Chat icon
    Google Chat

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  6. Wire icon

    Wire

     313 likes

    Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.

    282 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    5
    58
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Telegram
    Top Positive Comment
    cityroler
    10

    always End-to-End encrypted; servers in the EU; high quality audio and video calls;

    gnudesign
    Positive
    0

    Privacy and security focused, lot of features but way behind Telegram's user experience design.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is fully open source instead Telegram (server and client).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Wire icon
    Wire icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Wire is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  7. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     384 likes

    Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.

    166 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    1
    28
    Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Telegram
    LeSnake
    Negative
    11

    Matrix is a protocol used by i.e. Element, not a messenger iself

    Matrix icon
    Matrix icon

    • Most users think Matrix is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  8. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1529 likes

    Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.

    118 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
     
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    15
  10. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    160 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    1
    27
    Comments about Jami as an Alternative to Telegram
    UsernameUn
    Positive
    1

    Decentralized and encrypted. Available on all major devices. There is video conferencing and the ability to show a desktop.

    Jami icon
    Jami icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Jami is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Jami is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  11. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     90 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    69 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  12. Stoat Chat icon

    Stoat Chat

     108 likes

    Stoat (previously Revolt) is a chat platform that puts users first. With text & voice channels, video calling, screen sharing, permissions, mod tools, bots & more. Join any community or build one just the way you like it. It also respects your privacy.

    45 Stoat Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • GitHub
    User settings page, on "Appearance" tab
     
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    2
    Comments about Stoat Chat as an Alternative to Telegram
    aolko
    Negative
    0

    Discord alternative, not telegram

    sedeti
    Negative
    0

    An alternative to discord not telegram ??

    Stoat Chat icon
    Stoat Chat icon
    • Stoat Chat is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  13. Session icon

    Session

     120 likes

    Decentralized messenger featuring end-to-end encryption for individual and group chats, no registration needed, no tracking or metadata logs, IP address protection, secure attachment sharing, multi-device sync, dark mode, open-source code, and ad-free use.

    73 Session alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Session screenshot 1
     
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    3
    31
    Comments about Session as an Alternative to Telegram
    Guest
    Positive
    1
    1. Session does not require a phone number unlike telegram.
    2. Unless you create a seperate secret chat, telegram has acess to your chats.
    3. Telegram isn't an open source software.
    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Ryan Balloway
    Positive
    5

    fork of signal. much better privacy due to decentralized servers. great telegram alternative.

    Greg Brinter
    Positive
    3

    similar features but more privtate

    Session icon
    Session icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Session is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Session is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  14. bitchat icon

    bitchat

     43 likes

    Decentralized messaging app enabling secure peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks with end-to-end encryption, channel-based group chats, store & forward delivery, automatic peer discovery, no accounts or phone numbers, and privacy safeguards.

    55 bitchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    bitchat screenshot 1
     
  15. Threema icon

    Threema

     137 likes

    Threema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.

    122 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
     
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    2
    13
    Comments about Threema as an Alternative to Telegram
    John Fastman
    Positive
    0

    Proper end-to-end encryption makes Threema a good private way to communicate. But not as good as open source alternatives like Signal, for which you can check the source code. But Threema is way better than Facebook Messenger or 'Allo, which come from privacy-destroying companies.

    egami
    Positive
    0

    This is in my opinion the absolut number one if you are looking for privacy.

    Threema icon
    Threema icon

    • Most users think Threema is a great Telegram alternative.

    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
12 of 154 Telegram alternatives