12 Best Telegram Alternatives for iOS and Android

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - According to reports from French media, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested on August 24, 2024, shortly after his private jet touched down at Le Bourget Airport. The arrest was reportedly due to Durov's inability to maintain effective moderation on Telegram, which has allowed criminal activities to proliferate on the platform.

The tech billionaire, along with his brother Nikolai, co-founded Telegram in 2013. This free encrypted messaging service places a strong emphasis on user data protection. Since its inception, Telegram has positioned itself as a strong competitor in the social media landscape, rivaling platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat.

Aside from Telegram, here is the list of 12 messaging alternatives for iOS and Android:

1. WhatsApp

Whatsapp is the prominent and most famous messaging alternatives for Telegram. The platform can be found both in iOS and Android devices and widely recognized as the common messaging app in most countries.

Whatsapp allows the users to have a 1:1 chat and to create group chats consisting of up to 1,024 people. Additionally, users can enjoy using voice note and video calls feature through a 1:1 chat format or group chat.

2. WeChat

WeChat is a user-friendly chat application that is similar to Whatsapp. The platform can only be used as a Telegram alternative due to its convenience in sending pictures, texts, videos across the application with multiple users at once.

3. Line

Line is a chat application Telegram alternative that is available in 42 countries across the world. Just like any other chatting based platforms, Line can make a call as well video call through several users.

Users can easily add friends using a QR code, making it a favorable application especially among students.

4. Discord

Discord is a Telegram alternative that has even more comprehensive features ranging from voice note to live streaming tools. The platform is widely popular among gamers. Aside from chatting, users can also create channels and grow a community in Discord.

7. Signal

Signal is a free messaging platform that uses encryption for sending communications. The application’s high security is widely recommended to be a Telegram alternative.

8. Threema

Threema is an open-source chat platform that offers encryption end-to-end for all messages, files, and status messages. Similar to WhatsApp, Threema allows users to enjoy a number of features from 1:1 chat, group chat, voice chat, and video calls.

9. Skype

Skype is a popular video based chat platform that can be a Telegram alternative. It offers group video chat as well as virtual conference features. All of them are easy to set and have stable video mode.

10. Viber

Viber is a messaging platform that offers a similar experience to Telegram with encrypted messaging and group chats. The chat platform also has a plethora of stickers and emojis, earning it a favorable place among the youngsters.

11. Slack

Slack is a Telegram alternative for office matters and has constantly been used by numerous companies as their official communication platform. The app’s prominent goal is to organize coworking.

Slack allows users to open different channels and threads where different people can participate in the discussion. However, the platform doesn’t provide a video meeting feature.

12. Microsoft Team

Microsoft Team offers similar yet more comprehensive features than Slack for office organizational matters. The platform is integrated with MS Office, allowing users to access event scheduling like meetings easily.

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