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Telegram alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Telegram: regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted, and secret Chats are one-to-one and tied to a single device. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Telegram, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Signal currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 566.5
2Element logoElementOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
3Session logoSessionFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 555.3
4SimpleX Chat logoSimpleX ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 453.6
  1. Signal logo

    1. SignalTop pick

    Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest mainstream privacy without giving up a familiar chat app

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Telegram

    End-to-end encryption for every chat by default, for people who joined Telegram for privacy.

    Pros

    • Everything end-to-end encrypted by default, including groups
    • Collects almost no metadata
    • No ads, tracking or paid tier; open source

    Cons

    • Needs a phone number to register
    • Desktop app only works linked to a phone
    • Smaller network than WhatsApp in most countries
    Visit Signal Compare with TelegramDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Signal a good Telegram alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Independent nonprofit
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Ads and tracking
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Always on
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Requires Signal on your phone
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Element logo

    2. Element

    Best for: Communities and organisations that want open, federated, encrypted chat they can run themselves

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Telegram

    Open, federated Matrix rooms and spaces that can be self-hosted, with encryption on by default.

    Pros

    • Federated: talk across servers, or host your own
    • Encrypted by default for private chats
    • Open source, with bridges to other networks

    Cons

    • More complex than mainstream messengers
    • Key backup and device verification confuse newcomers
    • Self-hosting a homeserver takes real admin work
    Visit Element Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Element a good Telegram alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Free community edition
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise pricing
    Per seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Certification
    ISO/IEC 27001:2022
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Session logo

    3. Session

    Best for: People who want an anonymous messenger with no phone number and minimal metadata

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Telegram

    Keeps the no-phone-number style of contact sharing but adds onion routing and full encryption.

    Pros

    • No phone number or email needed
    • Onion routing hides who talks to whom
    • Open source and audited

    Cons

    • Slower delivery and less reliable calls
    • Lost recovery password means a lost account
    • Network is tied to a cryptocurrency token
    Visit Session Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Session a good Telegram alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Phone number
    Not required
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Routing
    Onion routing network
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Session Pro price
    From $2.99/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Steward
    Session Technology Foundation
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. SimpleX Chat logo

    4. SimpleX Chat

    Best for: Privacy-focused users and groups who want to minimise metadata as far as possible

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Telegram

    Groups and channels without any user identifiers, for privacy-focused communities.

    Pros

    • No phone numbers, usernames or account IDs
    • Self-hostable relay servers
    • Open source and independently audited

    Cons

    • No contact discovery; you must share links
    • Multi-device use and phone migration are awkward
    • Large groups can be slow
    Visit SimpleX Chat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SimpleX Chat a good Telegram alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    User identifiers
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly users
    600K
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)

The best Telegram alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Signal logo

Best Telegram alternative for most people

Signal

End-to-end encryption for every chat by default, for people who joined Telegram for privacy.

WhatsApp logo

Best Telegram alternative for a free option

WhatsApp

Encrypted by default and far more widely used for personal chats with family and friends.

Session logo

Best Telegram alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Session

Keeps the no-phone-number style of contact sharing but adds onion routing and full encryption.

Element logo

Best Telegram alternative for open source

Element

Open, federated Matrix rooms and spaces that can be self-hosted, with encryption on by default.

SimpleX Chat logo

Best Telegram alternative for self-hosting

SimpleX Chat

Groups and channels without any user identifiers, for privacy-focused communities.

Discord logo

Best Telegram alternative for Mac

Discord

Better for voice-heavy communities with roles, channels and live audio rooms.

Signal logo

Best Telegram alternative for Windows

Signal

End-to-end encryption for every chat by default, for people who joined Telegram for privacy.

Signal logo

Best Telegram alternative for Linux

Signal

End-to-end encryption for every chat by default, for people who joined Telegram for privacy.

Signal logo

Best Telegram alternative for iPhone and Android

Signal

End-to-end encryption for every chat by default, for people who joined Telegram for privacy.

WhatsApp logo

Best Telegram alternative for working in the browser

WhatsApp

Encrypted by default and far more widely used for personal chats with family and friends.

Telegram alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Telegram?

Signal ranks first right now. End-to-end encryption for every chat by default, for people who joined Telegram for privacy. WhatsApp and Element follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Telegram?

Yes. Signal (free), WhatsApp (free), Element (open source) and Session (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Telegram?

Yes: Signal, Element, Session and SimpleX Chat. Element and SimpleX Chat can also be self-hosted.

Which Telegram alternatives work on Linux?

Signal, Element, Session, SimpleX Chat and Discord run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Telegram?

The complaints we hear most: regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted; secret Chats are one-to-one and tied to a single device; public groups attract spam and scams.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Telegram, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.