Telegram and whatsapp网页版 stand as two of the globe’s most favored messaging applications, racking up millions of users that could not live without the free and unfettered communications they allow. Both platforms provide not just text messaging, but also voice and video calling, and both serve as foundations upon which groups can build virtual communities.
But if you were just to look at the features these two platforms offer, you might have a hard time deciding which to choose. That might be because choosing between Telegram中文 and WhatsApp is as much about personal values as it is about the virtues each platform offers.
Privacy and Security: Which App is Safer?
One of the major distinctions of Telegram as compared to WhatsApp is its approach to privacy and security. Telegram has gained, almost by default, a very strong reputation for its privacy features. These features include not only end-to-end encryption for secret chats but also a way of sending messages that you can have destroyed after a certain period of time.
A major difference between the two applications is how they manage group chats and large communities. Telegram supports groups of up to 200,000 members, making it an excellent platform for businesses, influencers, and organizations that need to reach large audiences. It also offers functions for public channels that serve as communication platforms where admins can share updates, news, or promotional content.
In contrast, WhatsApp has a much smaller group chat limit of 1,024 members, making it better suited for close-knit groups like family, friends, and work teams. However, WhatsApp recently introduced the Communities feature, which allows multiple related groups to be managed under one umbrella, serving to improve its poor ability to handle large discussions.
Group Chats and Community Features
Another area where Telegram has a significant edge is in file sharing. Users can send files up to 2GB each, and for Telegram Premium users, this limit increases to 4GB in size. People who frequently send large files or need a cloud-based messaging platform will find Telegram an excellent option.
By contrast, WhatsApp’s cloud-based storage is non-existent, meaning any files must be stored locally or in backups. The app still allows users to send files up to 2GB, but that might not work for you if you need to send several large files on a regular basis. In that case, sending those files through Telegram makes more sense.
With regard to retrieving messages on a computer, Telegram provides yet another instance of superior flexibility. Telegram Web permits access to all chats from any browser, and there’s no need for the user’s phone to be connected to the Internet. For users who go back and forth between devices, this makes for a pretty much seamless experience.
WhatsApp Web, however, requires that the user’s phone be connected to the Internet for it to work. Though there’s now a multi-device feature that lets you do very limited things on WhatsApp without your phone, the connective tissue between your phone and WhatsApp Web is still a drawback that Telegram Web doesn’t have.
File Sharing and Storage Capabilities
Telegram offers extensive customization options, including the ability to change themes, colors, and chat backgrounds. It also allows users to manage multiple accounts within the same app, which is a useful feature for those who need to separate personal and work communications.
When it comes to making video and voice calls, WhatsApp is ahead of the game. The app facilitates both personal and group video calls of up to 32 participants—”reliable,” as they say, “for personal and business meetings.” For those who may not use it, Telegram has called acts service but doesn’t do video group calls well at all.
Web Access: Telegram Web vs. WhatsApp Web
When it comes to picking Telegram or WhatsApp, it is really about what you, as a user, value most. If your top concerns are large group communication, file sharing, and customization, then Telegram is the more suitable application.
But if worry-free video calling and personal communication are what matter most to you, then WhatsApp is the platform that’s far better for those kinds of things. Both applications continue to evolve, and with the introduction of new features, the gap between them seems to narrow with time.
Final Words
If you want to get a clearer picture of Telegram, the Chinese-language version of Telegram (Telegram中文) is a great place to get in-depth information, including the basics around the app that foreigners often take for granted. Absent in the western part of the internet, the Chinese version of Telegram has been able to thrive in closed-off cyberspace.
Likewise, if you’re curious about the web version of WhatsApp, the Chinese version of that app also has a rundown of its basic functions—convenient because, once again, WhatsApp is largely inaccessible in the western part of the internet.
Also Read: Stickers for WhatsApp: Crafting Custom Packs & Enhancing User Experience
