Telegram vs Signal
Messaging Apps comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Choosing between Telegram and Signal comes up constantly, so we ran both through the same 10-row comparison and our category scoring. Telegram is a cloud-based messenger known for enormous groups, channels, 4 GB file sharing and bots, with encryption only in Secret Chats. Signal is the privacy benchmark: open-source, non-profit, end-to-end encrypted for everything, and it collects almost no metadata.
Quick verdict
Telegram scores 79 to Signal's 25 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for communities, creators and power users who want huge groups and big files. Signal remains the right call for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the messaging apps category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Telegram
Telegram is a cloud-based messenger known for enormous groups, channels, 4 GB file sharing and bots, with encryption only in Secret Chats.
Best for communities, creators and power users who want huge groups and big files
Signal
Signal is the privacy benchmark: open-source, non-profit, end-to-end encrypted for everything, and it collects almost no metadata.
Best for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first
Key differences
- End-to-end encryption: Telegram Optional (Secret Chats only); cloud chats are not E2E vs Signal Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol) — a preference, not a scored win
- Owned by: Telegram Telegram FZ-LLC (Dubai) vs Signal Signal Foundation (non-profit) — a preference, not a scored win
- Ads in the app: Telegram Sponsored messages in large channels vs Signal No ads — a preference, not a scored win
- Voice and video calls: Telegram Yes, group video up to 1,000 viewers vs Signal Yes, group calls up to 50 — a preference, not a scored win
- Chat backup: Telegram Cloud-synced automatically vs Signal Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Telegram | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (Secret Chats only); cloud chats are not E2E | Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol) |
| Owned by | Telegram FZ-LLC (Dubai) | Signal Foundation (non-profit) |
| Ads in the app | Sponsored messages in large channels | No ads |
| Max group size | 200,000 members | 1,000 members |
| Max file size | 4 GB | 0.1 GB |
| Voice and video calls | Yes, group video up to 1,000 viewers | Yes, group calls up to 50 |
| Chat backup | Cloud-synced automatically | Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional |
| Monthly active users | 1,000 million | 70 million |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Price | Free; Premium from $4.99/month | Free (donation-funded) |
Overall: Telegram vs Signal Score: Telegram 79 · Signal 25
The two differ on end-to-end encryption (Optional (Secret Chats only); cloud chats are not E2E against Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol)), and only true end-to-end encryption keeps the provider itself from reading your messages. For owned by, Telegram uses Telegram FZ-LLC (Dubai) whereas Signal goes with Signal Foundation (non-profit). This is a preference rather than a scored win: ownership shapes privacy policy and business model. Telegram: Sponsored messages in large channels. Signal: No ads. Neither is scored, but ads usually mean data is being used for targeting. Telegram leads on max group size with 200,000 members versus 1,000 members, a margin of 199,000 members. In practice group limits matter for communities, classes and events. Telegram leads on max file size with 4 GB versus 0.1 GB, a margin of 3.9 GB. In practice the file cap decides whether you can send full videos and large documents.
For voice and video calls, Telegram uses Yes, group video up to 1,000 viewers whereas Signal goes with Yes, group calls up to 50. This is a preference rather than a scored win: call quality and group call size matter for families and remote teams. Telegram: Cloud-synced automatically. Signal: Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional. Neither is scored, but backup method decides whether your history survives a phone change and who can read it. Telegram offers 1,000 million of monthly active users while Signal stops at 70 million; the 930 million gap matters because an app is only useful if the people you know are on it. The two differ on platforms (iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux against iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux), and cross-platform support decides whether your whole family can use it. The two differ on price (Free; Premium from $4.99/month against Free (donation-funded)), and most are free, but premium tiers unlock extras.
Pros and cons
Telegram
Pros
- 200,000-member groups
- 4 GB file sharing (Premium)
- Bots and channels
- Better max group size (200,000 members)
- Better max file size (4 GB)
- Better monthly active users (1,000 million)
Cons
- No scored row lost in this matchup
Signal
Pros
- Non-profit and open source
- Minimal metadata collection
- Encrypted calls and groups
- Better max group size (1,000 members)
- Better max file size (0.1 GB)
- Better monthly active users (70 million)
Cons
- No scored row lost in this matchup
Which one should you buy?
Choose Telegram for…
Communities, creators and power users who want huge groups and big files. It stands out for 200,000-member groups, 4 gb file sharing (premium), bots and channels.
Choose Signal for…
Journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first. It stands out for non-profit and open source, minimal metadata collection, encrypted calls and groups.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Telegram finishes ahead, 79 to 25. It is the better buy for communities, creators and power users who want huge groups and big files; for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first, Signal still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another messaging app
Frequently asked questions
Is Telegram better than Signal?
On the VersusAnything Score, Telegram finishes ahead 79 to 25. That makes Telegram the better overall pick for communities, creators and power users who want huge groups and big files, while Signal is still the right choice for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first.
What is the biggest difference between Telegram and Signal?
The largest gap is end-to-end encryption: Telegram lists Optional (Secret Chats only); cloud chats are not E2E while Signal lists Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol). Only true end-to-end encryption keeps the provider itself from reading your messages.
Who should choose Signal over Telegram?
Signal is the better fit for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first. Its strongest points are non-profit and open source, minimal metadata collection, encrypted calls and groups.
Sources
- Telegram: Telegram FZ-LLC official (manufacturer)
- Signal: Signal Foundation official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.