Telegram

Developer

Telegram Messenger LLP
Category

Communication
Version

11.12.0
Android OS

Varies with device
Downloads

330M
Content rating

0

Pro

👍 Telegram offers strong privacy controls: optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats, self-destructing messages, passcode protection and two-step verification, plus granular settings for last seen, phone number, and profile. These tools let users manage who can contact them and protect sensitive conversations across devices and integrate biometric unlock where supported for added convenience.

👍 Telegram is fast and reliable, built to deliver messages quickly even on slow connections. Cloud-based synchronization keeps chats, media, and documents accessible across devices without backups, and supports large-file transfers. Efficient compression and lightweight design make media sharing and streaming smooth, while robust server infrastructure minimizes downtime for global users.

👍 Telegram's rich feature set and customization empower both casual users and communities: powerful groups and broadcast channels, programmable bots and APIs, custom themes, animated stickers, message editing and scheduling, polls and quizzes, and support for multiple accounts. These options enable creators, teams, and organizations to build tailored communication experiences.

Con

👎 Unlike many messaging apps, Telegram stores regular (cloud) chats on its servers and does not enable end-to-end encryption by default. Only Secret Chats are E2E-encrypted; everything else can be accessed by the company and could be subject to legal requests, raising concerns for users who need strong privacy guarantees.

👎 Telegram’s open groups and channels make it easy for spam, scams, and misinformation to spread quickly. Moderation is inconsistent across public spaces, and automated bots can be abused to distribute malicious links or impersonate others. This environment can undermine trust and requires users to be extra vigilant.

👎 Users may unintentionally expose personal information because Telegram often links accounts to phone numbers and syncing contacts can reveal profiles to others. Limited account verification makes impersonation and fake profiles easier, which increases risk of social engineering, unwanted contacts, and privacy leaks—especially for public figures and people in large groups.