WhatsApp or Telegram? Find out which app is the best and safest                             WhatsApp or Telegram, which one is better? This is the question many people have been asking before deciding which messaging application to use. To address the issue, AppGeek analyzes and compares …

WhatsApp or Telegram, which one is better? That's the question many people have asked before deciding which messaging application to use. To address the issue, AppGeek analyzes and compares the key features available in each of them.

WhatsApp currently belongs to Facebook and has 1.5 billion users worldwide, of which 120 million are Brazilian.

Already Telegram of Russian company Telegram Messenger LLP and has 200 million active users daily. It became popular around here in 2015, after a blockade of justice to the competitor.

Available Platforms

Whatsapp or Telegram

WhatsApp is available for Android, iOS and Windows Phone smartphones and also has a web version that can be used in any browser. In addition, there is one edition for Windows 8 or later and another for Mac OS X 10.9 or later.

Check out how to use WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop on PC or Mac.

Telegram can be used on Android, iOS and Windows Phone mobile devices (no phone line required). For desktop, it comes out ahead by offering software compatible with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, in addition to the web version, for browsers.

The main difference between the two is that WhatsApp requires having the app installed on an active numbered phone. That is, the smartphone must be turned on and connected to the internet even if it is to use the computer variant.

Telegram versions work independently, but integrated. This is because the conversation file stored in the cloud is accessible from any device.

Ways to add contacts

To add a person to WhatsApp you must have your phone number registered with the service. Already on Telegram, it is possible to find a contact by mobile number or by a username.

This means you do not need to tell your phone to someone you do not want. Just have the person look for your username, created in the app settings, in the program search bar.

Communication tools

In addition to traditional text messaging conversations between two people, applications offer features with other modes of communication. These include multi-user groups and voice and video chat.

Groups

Both messengers allow you to create chat groups in which messages and files are shared. In WhatsApp each room can have up to 256 people, while in Telegram, this limit of 200 thousand users.

The WhatsApp team is likely to consider this limit for security reasons. Very popular, the program has been used as a tool for distributing fake news and scam applications. Therefore, the larger the groups, the more people may be affected by these bad practices.

To prevent replication of this type of content, the messenger also limited to five the number of conversations (contacts or groups) for the simultaneous sharing of any item. Previously there were no restrictions. In Telegram, you can only forward one conversation at a time.

Channels

Telegram or whatsapp

Channels are a feature present only in Telegram and function as a kind of unidirectional group. Only administrators are allowed to publish content and the others act as mere spectators.

These channels can have an infinite number of members. This is a popular resource for fans of specific topics, such as sports teams, series or manga, who find information on the subject in one place.

Whatsapp or Telegram

In terms of calls, WhatsApp stands out against its rival. The app lets you not only make voice and video calls, such as talking to up to 4 members of the same group at once.

Telegram, by contrast, only offers the option of voice dialing with one person at a time.

Bots

The bots are accounts created by third party developers through Telegram Bots API. That is, in general, not only created by the app, but by companies or interested in technology.

These robots are programs that automatically respond to users on a variety of topics. THE @calcuBot, for example, allows you to make mathematical calculations within the messenger itself. There is also the @gmailBot, Gmail official, which allows you to view and reply to new emails without leaving Telegram.

Other tips from bots interesting are the @gif, to search for animated gifs and the @newfileconverterbot, which converts different types of files. There is also the @transcriber_bot, which transcribes audio in text.

As there is no official store of bots Telegram users can find new ones through the app search bar. The messenger also suggests that users pick up tips through friends and internet searches.

File Sharing

Both WhatsApp and Telegram ensure sharing with other users and groups of photo, video or voicemail, documents, contacts and location files.

The main difference is in the maximum size allowed by each application. In WhatsApp, you can only send media files up to 16MB and documents up to 100MB. J on Telegram, the limit of 1.5GB per file.

Customization

Telegram or WhatsApp

When it comes to personalization, Telegram offers more options. You can configure the text size of messages, change the color theme and choose to view the chat in two or three lines.

The user is also able to create his own themes with custom color palette or use the search bar to find channels of themes with various wallpapers.

WhatsApp already offers some wallpaper options. Among these are the use of a solid color, some image from the phone gallery and pattern. It is also allowed to opt for none or select any from the wallpaper gallery (but for that you need to download a part app).

Security

Security is often of concern to messenger users. After all, it is common to exchange messages and files of private content that often must be kept confidential.

Cryptography

Encryption is a recurring term with regard to security of content exchanged over the internet. WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, meaning only conversation callers are able to decrypt the message.

This means that when you leave a device, the message becomes a kind of code, passes through the app server, and is only deciphered when it arrives at the receiver device. However, if you choose to do the backup From WhatsApp conversations on Google Drive, the Google service does not offer this degree of protection.

In Telegram, encryption is performed in user-server mode. That is, on the server, which is in the cloud, the code can be cracked. But according to the service, only participants in conversations have access to the content.

Anyone wishing to add an extra layer of protection to the chats in the Russian program can activate the option. Secret Chat, through the settings. According to the company, in this mode, end-to-end encryption and content leave no trace on servers.

In addition, the user can set a timer to self-destruct the conversation. It is also not allowed to take screenshot of the chat or forward content exchanged through it. The only drawback is the need to activate the function whenever you want more discreet communication.

Two-factor Authentication

Both applications provide the extra layer of security for two-factor authentication. This means that the user must enter a code sent to him by SMS and a password.

In Telegram, an additional password must be created which will be required each time you enter a new device, along with a security code sent by SMS. Access made by the way Settings Privacy and Security 2-Step Verification.

Already on WhatsApp, an additional password, set by the user, will be required every time your phone number is verified. And, as usual, a security code will also be sent via SMS. To enable the feature, go to Settings Account 2-Step Verification Enable.

Password Lock

Telegram or whatsapp

Telegram natively offers password protection of the app. In the privacy and security settings, the user can enable the option Lock Password. So just set the 4 digit security code.

You can then choose to block every 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours or disabled. Whenever you want, the user can tap on a lock icon at the top of the home screen so that the app is password locked at the next login.

WhatsApp doesn't offer the feature natively, but you can find some apps in the Play Store that add the function to the program.

Other similarities and differences between Telegram and WhatsApp

  • Verse business: WhatsApp has a version called WhatsApp for Business, aimed at companies. Differentials include the possibility of creating a kind of business profile and selecting quick answers from a menu of predefined phrases. There is also the sending of automatic texts as well as the organization of users through labels.
  • Text formatting and message editing: While in WhatsApp it is possible to format sent texts (bold, underline, italic or strikethrough), Telegram allows you to edit a content already sent. That is, correct a typo or change something you regret writing.
  • Night mode: Night mode is one of the sensations of the moment when it comes to mobile apps and computer programs. For now, WhatsApp does not have the feature. Already in rival, users can choose to activate the night mode automatically.

Learn how to turn on YouTube night mode and leave the background black.

  • Privacy: there are those who don't like to give satisfaction about when you last used the app. Therefore both messengers let the option be disabled. Last seen. Telegram, however, has the differential of removing the item for specific users. That is, everyone else comes to the information except those chosen by you.

Now that you have seen the main similarities and differences between the two messengers, can you choose your favorite?