Telegram – cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service

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

Explore Linux
	Best Free and Open Source Software - A huge collection of recommended free and open source software covering every major category.
	In-depth Linux Software Reviews - Detailed assessments of Linux software covering features, usability and overall quality.
	The Big List of Active Linux Distros - An extensive collection of actively developed Linux distributions.
	Open Source Alternatives - Alternatives to software and services from Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle and others.
	Essential Linux System Tools - Indispensable utilities for monitoring, maintaining and managing Linux systems.
	Linux Productivity Tools - Useful utilities for improving productivity and streamlining everyday tasks.
	Alternatives to Popular CLI Tools - Modern alternatives to familiar command-line utilities supplied with Linux systems.
	Awesome Free Linux Game Tools - Tools, utilities and companion software that improve gaming on Linux.
	Machine Learning on Linux - Machine learning and deep learning software, self-hosted applications and practical tools.
	Saving Money with Linux - Practical ways to reduce electricity consumption and lower computing costs with Linux.
	Linux Candy - Fun, entertaining and sometimes delightfully quirky software from the lighter side of Linux.