Telegram Alternatives

Best for: Retired consumer calling and messaging service

Skype should not be shown as an active Telegram alternative. Microsoft retired Skype for free and paid consumer users in May 2025 and directed users to Microsoft Teams Free. Keep it only as a historical entry or replace it with Teams after editorial review.

Pricing: Retired for consumer users; current pricing and sign-up are not applicable.

Best for: Privacy-focused encrypted messaging and calls

Signal is a privacy-focused messenger for text, voice messages, media, group chats, voice calls, and video calls. It is a strong Telegram alternative for users who prioritize default end-to-end encryption, minimal data collection, nonprofit stewardship, and a simpler private messaging experience.

Pricing: Signal is free and supported by a nonprofit model and donations.

Best for: Discontinued Google messaging service

Google Hangouts should not be presented as a current Telegram alternative. The consumer service was discontinued and replaced by Google Chat and Google Meet. This item should be removed, archived, or replaced with an active Google communication product.

Pricing: Discontinued; current pricing and sign-up are not applicable.

Best for: Private phone-number-based messaging and calls

WhatsApp is a free messaging and calling app for private chats, groups, voice messages, media sharing, communities, and voice or video calls. It is a strong Telegram alternative for users whose contacts already use phone-number-based messaging and who want default end-to-end encryption for personal messages and calls.

Pricing: WhatsApp is free for personal messaging; business tools and Meta terms should be checked separately.

Best for: Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging protocol and clients

Tox is a decentralized, peer-to-peer encrypted messaging protocol with multiple third-party clients. It may interest users who want open-source, serverless-style communication rather than a cloud service like Telegram, but the editor should verify the specific client, platform support, and maintenance status before publishing.

Pricing: Tox clients are generally free and open source, but availability depends on the chosen client.

Best for: Consumer messaging, calls, groups, and communities

Rakuten Viber is a messaging and calling app for one-to-one chats, group chats, communities, stickers, disappearing messages, audio calls, and video calls. It can be a Telegram alternative for users who want consumer messaging with strong mobile support and a familiar contact-based experience.

Pricing: Viber-to-Viber messages and calls are free; mobile data and paid calling services may still apply.

Best for: Open-source video meetings and self-hosted conferencing

Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform for browser and mobile meetings. It is not a full Telegram-style messenger, but it is relevant for users who mainly need account-light video calls, self-hosted meetings, web conferencing, or an open-source alternative to closed meeting platforms.

Pricing: Jitsi Meet is open source and can be used free; hosting and support costs depend on deployment.

Best for: Meta-connected personal messaging, groups, and calls

Messenger is Meta’s messaging app for personal chats, group chats, calls, media sharing, communities, and creator broadcast channels. It can be a practical Telegram alternative for users already connected through Facebook, but privacy expectations and Meta account integration should be reviewed carefully.

Pricing: Messenger is free for personal use; business and Meta platform terms may differ.

Best for: Matrix-based encrypted messaging and collaboration

Riot.im was renamed Element. Element is a Matrix-based encrypted messaging and collaboration app for individuals, communities, and organizations. It is a strong Telegram alternative for users who want decentralized communication, Matrix interoperability, and self-hosting or sovereign deployment options.

Pricing: Element has free apps and paid organizational hosting or enterprise options; verify current plans.

Best for: Self-hosted team messaging and collaboration

Mattermost is an open-core, self-hosted collaboration platform for team messaging, channels, workflows, calls, screen sharing, and technical teams. It is a better Telegram alternative for organizations that need private infrastructure, compliance controls, developer workflows, and workplace collaboration rather than public channels.

Pricing: Mattermost has free evaluation or self-hosted options and paid Professional or Enterprise plans.

Best for: Free/libre peer-to-peer messaging and calls

Ring was renamed Jami. Jami is a free/libre communication app for peer-to-peer messaging, audio calls, video calls, and group chats, with no phone number required. It is relevant for Telegram users who want an open-source, privacy-oriented communication tool with a different account model.

Pricing: Jami is free/libre software; verify deployment and support options for organizations.

Best for: Open decentralized communication protocol and network

Matrix is an open protocol and network for secure, decentralized communication, not a single Telegram-style app. It is relevant for users who want interoperable chat, federated rooms, open APIs, and the option to choose clients such as Element or host their own Matrix server.

Pricing: Matrix is an open network/protocol; costs depend on chosen clients, hosting, and managed services.

Best for: Secure organizational messaging, calls, and collaboration

Wire is a secure messaging and collaboration platform for organizations, with messaging, calls, conferencing, file sharing, and end-to-end encryption. It is a stronger Telegram alternative for business, government, and regulated teams that need admin controls, deployment options, and professional collaboration features.

Pricing: Wire has a free small-team plan and paid SMB, enterprise, and partner plans; verify current limits.

Best for: Desktop workspace for multiple messaging and work apps

Rambox is a desktop workspace app for organizing multiple web apps, accounts, and communication tools in one place. It is not a Telegram replacement or messaging network, but it can help users manage Telegram, email, Slack, WhatsApp, and other apps together from one desktop workspace.

Pricing: Rambox offers Basic, Pro, and Teams plans, with a 30-day Pro trial for new accounts.

Best for: Community servers with text, voice, video, roles, and bots

Discord is a communication platform for communities, friends, gaming groups, creators, and interest-based servers, with text channels, voice channels, video calls, roles, moderation tools, and bots. It is a relevant Telegram alternative for users who want server-based communities rather than channel-first messaging.

Pricing: Discord is free to start, with paid Nitro and server-related upgrades; verify current terms.

Best for: Free chats, meetings, communities, and Microsoft-connected collaboration

Microsoft Teams Free is a personal communication and collaboration app for chats, video calls, communities, file sharing, tasks, and group coordination. It is a practical Telegram alternative for users moving from Skype or wanting Microsoft account integration and familiar video meeting tools.

Pricing: Teams Free is available for individuals; paid Microsoft 365 or Teams plans add business features.