Free Telegram Alternatives for Android

There are many alternatives to Telegram for Android if you are looking for a replacement. The best free Android alternative is Signal, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Telegram and loads of them are free and available for Android so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Android alternatives to Telegram are Element, Tox, Wire and Matrix.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

     1366 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    26
    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
    • 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 types

    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
    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
    • 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    Antox. A Tox client written in Scala for Android.
     
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    2
    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
    • Tox is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  5. Ad
  6. Wire icon

    Wire

     314 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 types

    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
    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
    • 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 types

    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
    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
    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  8. 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Ring on Android app
     
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    1
    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
    • Jami is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  10. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     91 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  11. 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 types

    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
  12. 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    bitchat screenshot 1
     
  13. Briar icon

    Briar

     108 likes

    An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required.

    76 Briar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Briar screenshot 1
     
  14. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     266 likes

    Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.

    222 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Zulip as an Alternative to Telegram
    PlaidRadish
    Positive
    0

    Zulip is actually a better alternative to Telegram because it has security that is hosted on public or private servers, using an open source application. This app and its features are far more beneficial to organizations as a better, more secure, more feature-rich alternative to Telegram.

    Zulip icon
    Zulip icon
    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
  15. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     849 likes

    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    251 WhatsApp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Comments about WhatsApp as an Alternative to Telegram
    Top Positive Comment
    Hasan Yildiz
    0

    It will be defeated by a strong opponent like Telegram. Telegram is also more user friendly.

    Top Negative Comment
    Centaro
    18

    Too many limitations and is owned by Facebook.

    Planetjunkie
    Negative
    2

    absolutely unsecure, E2EE is questionable, and Facebook are planning on implementing a feature to decrypt messages for advertisers (as if that was not a thing since they acquired whatsapp...)

    3 of 6 comments
    WhatsApp icon
    WhatsApp icon
    • WhatsApp is Free and ProprietaryTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
12 of 177 Telegram alternatives