Last Updated on March 25, 2023
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service.
You can use Telegram on all your devices at the same time — your messages sync seamlessly across any number of your phones, tablets or computers.
Telegram’s client-side code is open-source software, whereas its server-side code is closed-source and proprietary.
Features include:
- Make voice calls.
- Telegram groups can have up to 100,000 members each.
- Channels can be created for broadcasting messages to an unlimited number of subscribers.
- Unified history.
- Instant search.
- Smart notifications – mute the group to get notifications only when people mention you or reply to your messages.
- Pinned messages.
- Moderation tools.
- Night mode.
- Customization via bots – create custom tools for any specific needs using a Bot API and Inline Bots.
- Access your messages from several devices at once, including tablets and computers, and share an unlimited number of photos, videos and files (doc, zip, mp3, etc.) of up to 1.5 GB each.
- Bot API, a platform for developers that allows anyone to easily build specialized tools for Telegram, integrate any services, and accept payments from users around the world.
- Stickers are cloud-based, high-definition images intended to provide more expressive emoji.
- All Telegram chats and group chats are private among their participants.
- Secret chats use end-to-end encryption, leave no trace on Telegram’s servers, support self-destructing messages and don’t allow forwarding.
- Server-client encryption is used in Cloud Chats (private and group chats), Secret Chats use an additional layer of client-client encryption. All data, regardless of type, is encrypted in the same way. Encryption is based on 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption, and Diffie–Hellman secure key exchange.
- Security is based on the MTProto protocol.
- Cross platform support – runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iPhone.
- Officially available in English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese and Korean.
Website: telegram.org
Support: FAQ, GitHub code repository
Developer: Pavel and Nikolai Durov
License: GNU General Public License v3.0. Server is proprietary software.
Telegram is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to Instant Messaging Home Page
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |