Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app used by over a billion people worldwide . Founded by Pavel Durov, it emphasizes speed, security and rich features. Users can install Telegram on phones, tablets and PCs (Android, iOS, Windows/macOS/Linux) and enjoy real-time sync across all devices . As the App Store notes, Telegram is “fast, secure, powerful” – a top-5 downloaded app used for everything from casual chats to organizing global communities . It’s free (no ads or fees) and constantly updated with new tools to motivate and empower users.
Key Features
- Chats & Groups: Telegram supports one-on-one and group chats. Groups can be small or very large – up to 200,000 members – with admin controls, persistent history, pinned messages, polls, reactions, voice/video calls, and more . Groups foster communities (friends, work teams, fan clubs, etc.) that stay in touch securely.
- Channels (Broadcasting): Channels let anyone broadcast messages to an unlimited audience . When you post in a channel, it’s signed with the channel’s name and shows view counts. News outlets, organizations and influencers use Channels to share updates, media and promotions with followers around the globe.
- Bots & Mini-Apps: Telegram has an open Bot API for creating automated accounts and “mini-apps”. Developers worldwide build bots and games (millions of them) to perform tasks, send news, handle payments, and more . For example, @BotFather is a built-in bot to create and manage new bots, and Telegram’s Mini-App platform lets web apps run inside chats or channels.
- Stickers, GIFs & Media: Expressive media are built in! Telegram offers millions of animated stickers and GIFs via an open sticker platform . A powerful photo/video editor, custom emoji and themes let you personalize content. AI-powered sticker search (late 2024/early 2025) makes it easy to find the perfect sticker by keyword .
- Cloud Storage & File Sharing: Your entire chat history (messages, media, files) is stored in Telegram’s cloud. You can send files up to 2 GB each – without worrying about disk space – and access everything from any device . Unlimited photos, documents, videos and voice notes sync seamlessly, making Telegram a free personal cloud drive as well as a messenger.
- Saved Messages: Each user has a private “Saved Messages” chat to bookmark links, notes, or drafts. Anything you save here is available on all devices. Think of it as your personal cloud notebook.
- Passcodes & Secret Chats: For extra privacy, Telegram lets you lock the app with a passcode. There are Secret Chats (device-to-device) that are end-to-end encrypted with self-destruct timers, and even allow forwarding-disabled media . You can also schedule messages, share location, and use advanced privacy settings (hide last seen, block contacts, etc.) to fit your style.
Security & Privacy
Telegram was built with privacy and security in mind . By default, cloud chats are encrypted in transit using strong protocols, and stored on Telegram’s secure servers in multiple data centers. Critically, Telegram splits encryption keys across jurisdictions, so no single government or hacker can access your data . To date, Telegram has disclosed 0 bytes of user messages to any third party .
For maximum security, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption via Secret Chats . Only the two devices in a secret chat hold the keys: Telegram’s servers never see the plaintext. Secret Chats support timed self-destruct for messages, photos or videos. Voice and video calls on Telegram are also E2EE by default. In practice, this means you control your privacy: you can erase messages for everyone (no trace left) and even destroy your entire secret chat at any time .
Telegram’s privacy philosophy is clear: “fast and secure messaging that is 100% free” . There are no hidden ads in private chats and no selling of your data. (The only ads Telegram runs are Sponsored Messages in public channels – privacy-friendly, limited banner ads introduced in 2021 .) Two-step verification and account recovery codes can further lock down your account. In short, Telegram keeps your personal messages private by design, while giving you powerful privacy options (lock, passcode, anonymous feedback, etc.) for complete peace of mind.
2024–2025 Updates & New Features
Telegram’s development pace is rapid: dozens of new features arrived in 2024 and 2025. Highlights include:
- Late 2024: Telegram introduced Affiliate Programs for mini-apps (allowing creators to earn commissions by promoting apps) and AI-powered Sticker Search across official packs . Collage creation in Stories and easier caption-editing were also added .
- Early 2025: In January and February, collectible (NFT-like) Gifts on the TON blockchain debuted. Users can “wear” unique gifts as emoji status, and move gifts to blockchain wallets for permanent ownership . Channels can now receive and display gifts too. Updates in Feb 2025 brought AI search for millions of user-made stickers (in 29 languages) , improved video handling (share links at current timestamps, set custom covers, resume playback) , and the ability for channels to receive star-reactions from users (boosting creator support) .
- Mid 2025: New monetization options and content tools appeared. For example, profiles now have ratings based on Telegram Star transactions , making it easier to trust buyers/sellers. A “Gift Collections” feature lets users organize Telegram Gifts by theme . Bot and mini-app developers can manage their services via the BotFather mini-app , and can enable features like full-screen mode, geolocation and subscriptions. Most recently (Jul 2025) Telegram added global post search (find public channel posts instantly) and Story Albums to organize highlights .
In short, 2024–25 saw Telegram leap forward in community tools, creator economy features and AI enhancements . Every update adds fun and productivity: from visual upgrades (collages, filters) to heavy-duty tools (bot automation, secure calls) . Telegram’s blog and “Telegram News” channel regularly announce these updates, so power users can stay on the cutting edge.
Comparisons with Other Apps
Telegram offers a unique mix of features not found all together in WhatsApp, Signal or Messenger – and each has its own strengths. For example, WhatsApp (2 B users) emphasizes end-to-end encryption on by default, but it ties you to a single primary device and limits file sizes. By contrast, Telegram is cloud-based with multi-device sync: you can start a chat on your phone and continue on your tablet or PC without linking your phone . Telegram lets you send files up to 2 GB (WhatsApp only recently raised its limit and still caps at ~2 GB anyway). Telegram groups are far larger than WhatsApp’s, and it offers features like bots, channels and custom themes that WhatsApp lacks. Importantly, Telegram remains free forever (no subscription or ads), whereas WhatsApp is now ad-supported for businesses.
Against Signal (focused on privacy), Telegram is more of a feature powerhouse. Signal provides E2EE for every chat by default, making it slightly more secure in that narrow sense. Telegram only offers E2EE in Secret Chats and calls . However, Telegram “wins” on convenience and features: it has over a billion users (Signal has ~50 M), plus customization (themes, stickers), large groups/channels, and advanced bots and mini-apps . In practice, many users choose Signal when privacy is paramount, but Telegram when they want rich features and wider reach.
Compared to Facebook Messenger, Telegram is more decentralized and privacy-minded. Messenger (part of Meta) ties into Facebook’s social network and does not have end-to-end encryption by default (except in special “secret conversations”). Telegram offers broad platform support (Messenger is web/tied to Facebook) and never uses your data to target ads . Messenger has features like integrated games and story sharing, but Telegram has kept pace with its own Stories, Games (via bots), polls and more. Overall, Telegram stands out for its balance of security, flexibility and scalability – making it the go-to app for communities and projects that outgrow other platforms.
Popular Use Cases & Trends
Telegram’s versatility has led to many exciting use cases and trends:
- Online Communities: Hobby clubs, study groups, fandoms and support communities thrive on Telegram. Public and private groups (some with tens of thousands of members) use Telegram for announcements, discussions and events . Features like polls, quizzes and file libraries help these communities stay engaged.
- Broadcasting & News: Media outlets, public figures and organizations use Channels to broadcast news, articles and alerts. Because a channel has unlimited subscribers , it’s ideal for high-volume announcements or even emergency alerts. View counters and comment groups enable feedback.
- File and Media Sharing: With its generous 2 GB file limit, Telegram is popular for sharing large multimedia (videos, documents, even small software). Creative teams often use it to exchange high-res photos or lengthy recordings that email or other apps can’t handle. The cloud storage means users don’t run out of device space – all media is simply in the cloud .
- Content Creation & Monetization: Telegram is becoming a hub for creators. For example, many channels sell or reward content using Telegram Stars and Gifts. Fans can support artists by sending Gifts (including new NFT-style gifts backed by the TON blockchain) . Features like in-app payments, premium subscriptions, Affiliate Programs and profile ratings incentivize creators. (In early 2024, Telegram even let channels publish paid “stories” where premium-account users vote to unlock them.) These tools encourage entrepreneurs and artists to build sustainable Telegram communities.
- Business & Teams: Businesses use Telegram for internal communication and customer outreach. Group chats and channel announcements keep staff or clients in sync. Unique tools like checklists (to-do lists in chats) and directory bots streamline workflows. The open Bot API also means companies can deploy custom bots for customer service, notifications or even e-commerce – essentially turning Telegram into a mini app platform.
- Crypto and NFT Communities: Telegram has always been strong in crypto and blockchain circles. This is now turbocharged with features like collectible Telegram Gifts on the TON blockchain . Crypto projects often run official Telegram channels and bots for live updates and community building. NFT and token communities trade art and tips via Telegram groups. The integration of Web3 (e.g. TON cryptocurrency, NFT gifting) makes Telegram a bridge between social messaging and the decentralized web.
In all these cases, Telegram’s combination of rich media, privacy controls and automation (bots) motivates communities to grow and innovate. Whether it’s a grassroots campaign, an online class, or a global fundraiser, Telegram provides the tools to collaborate securely at scale.
Business & Developer Tools
Telegram is also a powerful platform for businesses and developers. It offers a fully documented API/MTProto protocol so developers can create their own Telegram apps, bots and integrations . The Bot API is especially popular: bots can handle payments, send notifications, run polls, schedule messages, and even integrate with external services (e.g. a bot that books tickets or a mini-app game). In June 2025 Telegram launched the BotFather mini-app to make bot and mini-app management easier . For example, a developer can spin up an affiliate referral program (sharing in-app earnings) right within Telegram .
For marketing and promotion, Telegram provides channels and special features. Businesses can run official channels and reach unlimited followers. Telegram Ads (Sponsored Messages) allow contextual ads in large public channels . In late 2024, Telegram added Suggested Posts and Paid Messages so channel owners can monetize by accepting ad posts or channel shout-outs. Content creators can earn via Stars and gifts, and Telegram profile badges show trusted buyers . A Telegram Gateway also exists: third-party services can send users verification codes via Telegram messages (instead of SMS) for better security .
Finally, Telegram’s commitment to developers is clear: it even offers payment APIs to sell digital goods, and any programmer can join the ecosystem. Over 400 million users interact with bots and mini apps every month , from shopping and gaming to learning languages. Telegram’s mini-app platform (introduced in 2023) lets developers build web apps that launch inside Telegram’s UI, complete with features like full-screen mode, geolocation, and home-screen shortcuts . This makes Telegram not just a messenger, but a versatile platform for innovation and business growth.
In summary, Telegram combines a powerful feature set with user-friendly design and strong privacy – all delivered with an upbeat, user-first philosophy. It’s more than a chat app; it’s a global platform for communication, community and creativity .
Sources: Official Telegram blog and FAQ , Telegram App Store description , Google Play store , and other connected resources. Each citation above links to an official page or primary source on Telegram’s features and updates.