Only a year ago, so much focus was on Telegram vs WhatsApp in the news. However, users wonder if it is safe to use WhatsApp or if they should switch to Telegram after they have updated its privacy policy. It might be helpful to read till the end.
Yet, here we compare Telegram and WhatsApp to see which is more private. In this article, we've explored the differences between WhatsApp and Telegram to help you decide which software is safer to use, from their accessibility, features, and so much more.
Part 1. Availability of WhatsApp and Telegram
Part 2. What’s the difference between WhatsApp and Telegram?
Part 3. Telegram vs WhatsApp - Unique Features
Part 4. Telegram vs WhatsApp - Data and Privacy
Bonus: The best way to Backup WhatsApp on iPhone & Android for Free
Part 1.Availability of WhatsApp and Telegram
Let's start with WhatsApp first. Yahoo launched it! Engineers Brian Acton and Jan Koum on the 24th of February, 2009.
Google attempted to buy WhatsApp many times the following year but was turned down each time. Facebook, now Meta, announced the acquisition of WhatsApp for $19 billion on the 19th of February, 2014, their most significant purchase to date.
You are already aware of what occurred in January 2021 with the introduction of the revised Privacy Policy. This excludes the EU since the new policy violates the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) fined WhatsApp £193 million in September 2021, forcing it to revise its privacy policies for European users.
Telegram has over 700 million active users and is praised for its more substantial privacy restrictions. Telegram was founded in 2013 by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov. Simply said, Telegram provides everything WhatsApp does while being more customizable in chat and media-sharing features.
During the 2021 Facebook outage, when WhatsApp was unavailable for over six hours, 70 million new Telegram users joined in only one day.
| Availability | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|
| Active Users | 2.2 billion | 700+ million |
| Mobile OS versions | Android OS 4.1 and later. iOS 12 and above KaiOS 2.5.0 and newer | Android OS 4.1 and later. iOS 9 and above |
| Supported device | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows PC | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows PC, Linux, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Multi-device usage | Up to 4 devices (One Phone Limit) | Unlimited devices |
| Inactivity | Account deleted after 120 days of inactivity | Account deleted after 6 months of inactivity |
Learn more about: Signal vs. WhatsApp vs. Telegram
Part 2.What’s the difference between WhatsApp and Telegram?
Let's explore the one-on-one difference between both apps.
What is Telegram
Telegram is a diversified platform for instant messaging whose primary concern is the user's privacy. It was started in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai. The firm is registered in the British Virgin Islands, which is excellent news for those concerned about privacy. It is also open-source, meaning that all of the associated code can be examined and validated by security professionals and the general public.
Users may use the privacy-friendly messaging software for free, thanks to the millionaire creator and current CEO Pavel Durov. This is part of Telegram's concept of remaining independent of any significant technology corporation.
In addition, Telegram will launch Telegram premium in 2020 to increase income. Telegram premium is a paid version of the software that includes more features such as:
- Ads free app
- Attractive stickers
- 4 Gb upload limit
- Animated stickers & profile pictures
- Badges and icons
- Fast downloading speed
Compatibility with Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, and Windows users can install Telegram.
What is WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the most popular free instant messaging software, with billions of users worldwide. Meta, which also owns Facebook, owns the app. Unlike Telegram, all WhatsApp communications are end-to-end encrypted.
Nevertheless, following a statement allowing WhatsApp to share user data with parent firm Meta, people have questioned the platform's privacy policies. The app is entirely free, with no advertisements on the platform.
But remember, since Meta owns the service, customers are unsure of the data collected and shared with Facebook, as well as the amount to which it is used. WhatsApp began its first advertising campaign in 2021 to address privacy concerns.
Part 3.Telegram vs WhatsApp - Unique Features
You mustn't miss any puzzles as you figure out if Telegram is better than WhatsApp. The following are the unique features of WhatsApp and Telegram.
1. Unique Features in WhatsApp
Here are some of the Meta-owned app’s features.
1. Status on WhatsApp
Users of WhatsApp can upload photos and videos to update about their current events through status updates. Although Telegram claims status is a thing of the past, it does not want it.
2. The disappearing messages feature
After 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days, WhatsApp lets you vanish your messages if the other user still needs to read them.
Telegram and WhatsApp offer self-destructive messages after viewing. Messages that disappear (i.e., those not viewed) are accessible only through WhatsApp.
2. Unique Features of Telegram
Here are some of the competitor app’s features.
1. Secret Chat
Telegram's secret chat messages prevent other users from forwarding your messages and have a self-destructing feature, which means they will disappear after a glimpse by the viewer (ranging from a couple of seconds to a week).
2. Chat password for Telegram
Users can create a password for their Telegram chats to ensure the safety of their conversations. However, WhatsApp does not allow you to lock individual conversations or the app as a whole.
3. Chat history from other apps can be moved
WhatsApp or Telegram can import conversations with original timestamps from other apps. Telegram or other apps can import chat, but WhatsApp only exports chat to other apps.
Part 4.Telegram vs WhatsApp - Data and Privacy
Is Telegram safer than WhatsApp? It all depends. Telegram has a strict policy on privacy. It has set a challenging goal of $300,000 for anyone interpreting its communications. Yet, numerous detractors have also said. Their data may be at risk due to its cloud-based nature.
Here's what you should know about Telegram and WhatsApp in terms of privacy and personal safety:
1. End-to-end encryption
WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption means that only you, the person you're conversing with, and no one else, including WhatsApp, can read your conversations. The same encryption is used for media files shared over WhatsApp.
On the other hand, when messages are sent via secret chat, Telegram encrypts them using an end-to-end protocol.
2. Personal data collection
Second, Telegram collects less personal data than WhatsApp. Earlier this year, WhatsApp announced that it would gather more user data and share it with its parent company.
Bonus: The best way to Backup WhatsApp on iPhone & Android for Free
ChatMover from UnicTool provides the best iPhone and Android WhatsApp backup solutions. All WhatsApp data on the computer can be easily backed up with this software for Windows and Mac.
All-in-one WhatsApp Transfer
- Freely back up your WhatsApp on both Android & iPhone.
- Keep every new backup in order without overwriting previous backups.
- Provide unlimited free storage and absolute security.
- Take just simple clicks to restore WhatsApp backup from Android to iPhone or iPhone to Android.
- Allow users to preview backup content before restoring it.
- Transfer WhatsApp messages all at once
105,674 downloads
100% secure
The following steps will guide you through the process of backing up WhatsApp messages using ChatMover:
- Step 1: Start ChatMover on your computer and click the "Backup" option.
- Step 2: Using a USB cable, connect your iPhone/Android device to the computer, make the laptop a trusted device, and click on "Start."
- Step 3: If you are backing up WhatsApp from your iPhone, the tool should already have started backing it up. Follow the instructions on the screen if you are backing up WhatsApp from Android to give the tool access to the data.
- Step 4: Well, it depends on the size of your WhatsApp data and how long it will take for the tool to complete the backup process. The tool will notify you once the process is complete.
The application will configure a customized WhatsApp, then access WhatsApp data for users with Android. For iPhone users, on the other hand, ChatMover will automatically do everything for them.
Conclusion
Is Telegram a better app than WhatsApp? This war is won by Telegram due to its fantastic messaging features. There is no one who wins when it comes to security. WhatsApp, however, is more popular, and you cannot switch to one where no one is using it. However, it all depends on the individual need. You should back up your WhatsApp first if you decide to shift and use the ChatMover to avoid the hassle.Start your journey now!(use ChatMover)
Secure Download