Telegram vs WhatsApp: Best App for Business in 2025

At some point, every online business outgrows basic messaging tools. When that happens, marketers need to choose the right platform for customer communication — one that balances features, security, and automation potential.

In this post, we’ll dive into a head-to-head comparison of Telegram vs WhatsApp, two of the most widely used messaging apps worldwide. While both platforms are loved by users, their business capabilities differ in fundamental ways. We’ll walk you through the key differences between Telegram and WhatsApp, exploring data privacy, automation tools, and practical features to help you choose the one that aligns best with your communication strategy.

Introduction to WhatsApp and Telegram for business

Before diving into specifics, let’s compare some fundamental differences between Telegram and WhatsApp messaging platforms.

WhatsApp ranks first in monthly active users, with around 2 billion, while Telegram holds third place globally — right after WeChat — with 950 million. However, in March 2025, Telegram announced it officially hit the 1 billion user mark. WhatsApp also has a head start, launched in 2009 — four years earlier than Telegram.

Both platforms continue to evolve, not just for everyday users with features like end-to-end encryption but also for businesses. They can now rely on tools like quick replies, chatbots, and automated workflows, but the way these tools are implemented in apps like Telegram vs WhatsApp varies significantly.

Let’s break it down by key areas to help you pick the right app for your business needs.

Expand your marketing strategy and reach more customers

With SendPulse, you can reach your target audience by sending various types of messages through a communication channel they prefer — email campaigns, SMS, and chatbots for WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram.

WhatsApp vs Telegram: security and privacy

When choosing a messaging platform for your business, security is often a top priority — especially if you’re dealing with sensitive customer data. Apps like Telegram and WhatsApp prioritize privacy but approach it in distinct ways. Here’s a quick breakdown:

So, is Telegram safer than WhatsApp? It depends on how your business uses each app. Let’s dig deeper into how they handle encryption, data policies, and user control.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp’s approach to security is rooted in end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default. This means that all messages, calls, and files exchanged between users are encrypted on their devices and can’t be read by anyone else, not even WhatsApp.

For businesses, particularly those in industries that handle sensitive personal data like finance, healthcare, law, or eCommerce, this level of built-in security offers peace of mind since they can be sure that customer communications and message content are protected from unauthorized access. WhatsApp’s compliance with global data privacy regulations, including GDPR, further solidifies its security profile.

However, it is important to note that WhatsApp maintains a centralized approach to data policies. While your communication is secure, the platform collects a substantial amount of specific metadata, such as your phone number, contacts and location (if shared), device information, and usage patterns. These data may be shared with its parent company, Meta, especially if accounts are linked through the Accounts Center.

While message content remains secure, the metadata could be used for advertising purposes across Meta platforms — something to consider if your business has strict data privacy requirements.

Telegram

Telegram gives users more control over how their data is protected. By default, regular chats on Telegram are not end-to-end encrypted; instead, they use client-server/server-client encryption. Thanks to this setup, the platform can offer features like cloud storage for message history and seamless synchronization across devices.

While it is convenient, it comes with some trade-offs. Telegram, in theory, could access standard chat content since it’s stored on its servers. However, the platform does offer secret chats that are end-to-end encrypted and can be set to self-destruct after a specific time. These chats don’t sync across devices and are limited to one-on-one conversations — not groups or channels.

From a privacy policy standpoint, Telegram is seen as more transparent than similar apps. It collects far less data and isn’t part of a large data-driven corporation, which many users see as a privacy advantage compared to WhatsApp. The app does not sell data to advertisers and focuses on delivering security without compromising user control over their data.

Another edge in the Telegram vs WhatsApp debate is that Telegram allows businesses to run large public channels, groups, and chatbots without requiring users to share personal information like phone numbers, lowering onboarding friction while still supporting automated communication.

WhatsApp vs Telegram: key business features

When it comes to business tools, the comparison of the Telegram app vs WhatsApp reveals two very different strategies.

WhatsApp follows a tiered structure: a free, simple app for small or local businesses and a more advanced, regulated API for larger companies that require scalability and compliance. Telegram, on the other hand, provides a unified platform where businesses can tap into built-in tools, premium features, and an open Bot API — all without gatekeeping.

Let’s break down the key differences between Telegram and WhatsApp in terms of business communication and automation.

WhatsApp for business

WhatsApp offers two products: the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API.

The Business App is designed for small businesses. It lets you set up a business profile, create product catalogs, and use features like quick replies, automated greetings and away messages. These features make it easy to automate basic conversations and respond quickly to frequent questions.

For enhanced credibility, businesses using the app can subscribe to Meta Verified, a paid service, to obtain a verified badge, which signals authenticity, provides impersonation protection, offers priority support, and potentially improves search visibility.

The Business API, in turn, targets medium to large businesses. It allows integration with CRM systems, customer support tools, and marketing platforms.

With the WhatsApp Business API, you can:

• enable multi-agent access;
• send rich media content like images, videos, and documents;
• set up click-to-chat links from ads or websites;
• create complex automation workflows.

Businesses need verification from Meta to access the API, and it often requires working with third-party providers — it’s not a simple plug-and-play solution. On the bright side, verified businesses can also apply for an Official Business Account status, denoted by a coveted green checkmark badge next to their display name in chats.

Keep in mind, though, that WhatsApp has strict guidelines: businesses can’t message users freely — they need user consent, and conversations often require template pre-approval.

Despite these challenges, WhatsApp’s popularity and trust make it a strong choice for structured customer service. Users who are already familiar with the app feel secure and comfortable interacting with brands, thanks to default encryption and verified business accounts.

Telegram for business

Telegram takes a different approach. Instead of a separate platform, it offers Telegram Business as a set of features unlocked through a paid Telegram Premium subscription. It allows you to convert a standard personal Telegram account into a business-enabled one. Once converted, you can display business hours, location (shown on a map), and a customizable start page for empty chats.

Much of Telegram’s power for business comes from channels, groups, and chatbots that help brands build effective communication flows.

With public and private channels, businesses can share content with unlimited followers — perfect for news, announcements, promotions, or exclusive content. Unlike WhatsApp’s limited broadcast lists, Telegram channels are unlimited and open by design. Groups, in turn, support discussions, so they are great for communities, feedback collection, or user support.

Chatbots serve as the backbone of business automation on Telegram. You can automate FAQs, onboarding, lead collection, or customer support within a single chat interface. And because Telegram offers customizable buttons, menus, and auto-replies, you can design detailed conversation flows without needing prior approval or jumping through compliance hoops.

Notably, Telegram allows anonymous engagement — users don’t need to share their phone numbers, which can increase trust and reduce friction. For companies looking to expand their communities or test creative formats, Telegram provides a flexible environment without approvals or barriers.

WhatsApp vs Telegram: API access

When it comes to APIs, WhatsApp and Telegram sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. WhatsApp is built around compliance and approval. Telegram, on the contrary, is developed around speed and freedom.

Understanding the differences between Telegram and WhatsApp API philosophies is crucial for businesses aiming to integrate messaging and automation into their workflows. Here’s a closer look at how the two platforms differ in access, capability, and cost.

WhatsApp API

To use the WhatsApp Business API, you don’t just sign up but apply. Access requires Meta’s approval and phone number verification and often involves a Business Solution Provider. Typically, you’ll work through a third-party platform that takes care of hosting, compliance, and scalability.

Once you gain access, you can use a well-defined set of features focused on business-customer interactions:

• core messaging (text, images, video, audio, docs, location, contacts);
• pre-approved message templates;
• interactive elements (buttons, menus, single and multi-product messages, Flows);
• native and external payment options;
• webhooks and integrations with CRMs, ERPs, helpdesks, and marketing tools.

In general, WhatsApp API usage incurs direct, predictable costs based on message volume, type, and destination country, often supplemented by BSP fees.

It is monetized through a conversation-based pricing model effective until July 2025. Businesses are currently charged per 24-hour conversation session initiated by the company or the user. Rates vary based on the conversation category — Marketing, Utility, Authentication, or Service — and the recipient’s country code. For example, a marketing conversation targeting the North American market will cost you $0.025.

Starting in July, a per-message pricing model will apply, charging businesses per delivered marketing and authentication template message, as well as utility template messages sent after 24 hours from the customer’s message.

Access the WhatsApp Business API — no setup or additional fees

With SendPulse, you get all the necessary tools, from a visual editor with a library of ready-made chatbot flow templates to user-friendly analytics, to help you effectively engage your customers on WhatsApp.

Telegram Bot API

Telegram’s API is public, open, and free to use. There are no pre-approval steps, no 24-hour limits, and no restrictions on messaging content, timing, or interface design. This gives developers and marketers near-total control. You can build chatbots that handle sales, support, onboarding, newsletters, or anything in between.

The Bot API comes packed with a wide range of features, including:

• rich media support, custom keyboards, commands, polls, quizzes, and reactions;
• webhooks and long polling;
• deep links, inline mode, and attachment menus;
• native and web payments, plus Stars;
• mini apps and admin bots for channels and groups;
• integrations with CRMs, databases, AI platforms, and custom backends.

However, Telegram is a DIY environment. There’s no official onboarding process or formal compliance checks — you’re fully responsible for your bot’s functionality, security, and user experience. Telegram also enforces API rate limits (e.g., 30 messages/sec globally, 1/sec per chat, 20/min per group).

Telegram’s core Bot API is free to send and receive messages. Still, the overall cost depends on the need for Premium subscriptions, the volume of high-speed broadcasts that may require paid Stars, development and hosting costs, and potential reliance on paid third-party tools.

Telegram vs WhatsApp: chatbot capabilities

Both platforms support chatbot automation, but they take radically different approaches. Telegram offers freedom and developer-first tools, while WhatsApp emphasizes structure, compliance, and reliability.

Let’s see how the process of building and managing chatbots differs in this comparison of the Telegram app vs WhatsApp.

Telegram chatbots

Telegram is a developer’s playground. You can code chatbots from scratch in various programming languages, such as Python, JavaScript, Java, PHP, etc., using a wide array of official and community-developed libraries and frameworks. Alternatively, you can choose a no-code/low-code chatbot platform that supports Telegram bot development.

To start, you simply chat with @BotFather to generate your API token.

Telegram chatbots can handle rich interactions via:

• custom commands and keyboards;
• inline buttons and dropdown menus;
• polls and quizzes.

You can create complex logic flows, dynamic broadcasts, and deeply personalized experiences. The open API also makes it easy to connect AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, enabling advanced conversational capabilities.

Without content approval cycles or time limits, Telegram bots are perfect for businesses running fast-paced experiments, drip campaigns, or custom journeys. You’re free to update and iterate at your own pace.

WhatsApp chatbots

WhatsApp chatbot development goes through the Business API, which requires account verification, phone number registration, and configuration through verified partners. While this adds time and cost, it also ensures structure, reliability, and user trust.

Chatbots on WhatsApp are often built using BSP-hosted tools or third-party no-code platforms. You can also automate tasks like support, sales, and onboarding workflows using native features — quick replies, product catalogs, and call-to-action buttons. Besides, you can use WhatsApp Flows to build structured, multi-step experiences like forms, appointment booking, or custom interfaces directly within the chat.

When creating your chatbot, make sure you comply with WhatsApp’s policies; notably, you need to provide clear and prompt escalation paths to human agents when a chatbot or auto-replies you set cannot resolve an issue.

💡 Whether you’re building a bot for Telegram or WhatsApp, SendPulse simplifies the process with a no-code visual builder. You can create complex logic flows using drag-and-drop blocks, add triggers, forms, and menus, and even personalize the experience with data from the built-in CRM.

WhatsApp vs Telegram: bulk messaging

Bulk messaging is where Telegram vs WhatsApp differences become especially noticeable. One platform emphasizes control and compliance; the other offers flexibility and scale. Understanding these differences is critical if your communication strategy involves frequent updates, campaigns, or community engagement.

Let’s explore the platforms’ methodologies, policies, and limitations.

WhatsApp bulk messaging

The WhatsApp API provides a tightly regulated framework for bulk messaging that aims to ensure a high-quality, low-spam environment but restricts businesses in a way.

The platform lets businesses interact with their audience based on a 24-hour customer service window rule. After a user messages you, you can reply for free using free-form messages for 24 hours. Outside this window, you can only send pre-approved message templates — including marketing content — submitted to Meta in advance.

Your template content must follow WhatsApp’s Business and Commerce Policies and should be defined as a Marketing, Utility, or Authentication message. For example, a message promoting a specific product falls under the marketing category, while order confirmation, update, or cancellation should be classified as a utility template.

Before reaching out to users, businesses should obtain clear, affirmative consent from them. Besides, WhatsApp has a tier system that determines how many messages you can send based on your account verification, usage patterns, and content quality. This approach helps the platform prevent new or low-quality accounts from sending large volumes of messages right away.

Generally, this model ensures high deliverability and relevance for those who opt in. It works well for businesses that prioritize structure and reliability, like banks or insurance firms, but may limit flexibility for fast-moving marketers.

Telegram broadcasts

Telegram, by contrast, is built for open communication. If someone subscribes to your chatbot or channel, you can message them anytime — no templates, approvals, or costs.

Since users actively choose to subscribe to channels or initiate a conversation with chatbots, Telegram counts this type of interaction as implicit consent to receive messages. Unlike WhatsApp’s requirement for business-initiated messages, the platform does not require a separate, explicit opt-in process.

Telegram offers two primary ways to connect with large audiences. Channels act much like mailing lists, but better. They are perfect to broadcast to a large, self-selected audience interested in a specific topic or brand. Your messages can include rich media, polls, reactions, comments, etc. Communication is typically one-way, though you can enable comment sections. Chatbots, in turn, can push targeted messages to subscribers, and you can group users with tags for more personalized delivery.

Telegram’s message restrictions primarily focus on preventing illegal content like spam, scams, promotion of violence, illegal pornography, etc., rather than specific formats or categories. This approach gives businesses greater freedom and reach but places the responsibility of filtering unwanted content more heavily on users and community administrators.

Telegram vs WhatsApp: automation use cases

When used strategically, WhatsApp and Telegram become more than just messaging apps; they evolve into powerful automation platforms for customer support, sales, and retention.

WhatsApp Business API automation centers around structured, policy-compliant messaging. It enables outbound communication via approved templates and inbound support and sales messaging via integrated chatbot flows.

Telegram’s automation potential, powered by its open Bot API, provides unmatched flexibility. It allows you to create customized chatbots for notifications, interactive experiences, or deep integrations.

Final thoughts

When it comes to Telegram vs WhatsApp for business communication, there’s no universal winner — just the best fit for your strategy. Choosing between them depends on how much control you want, how fast you need to move, and how strictly you need to follow platform rules.

Consider WhatsApp if:

• your customers already use it and expect communication there;
• you prefer a verified, structured channel with pre-approved templates and clear policy guidelines;
• you’re operating in industries like banking, healthcare, or regulated eCommerce, where compliance and security matter.

WhatsApp is the trusted, enterprise-grade option built for consistency, oversight, and scaling within an official ecosystem.

Consider Telegram if:

• you need to launch quickly without waiting for approvals or API access;
• your audience is younger, digital-native, or globally dispersed;
• you want complete control over messaging flows, chatbot behavior, and timing.

Telegram offers a creative, agile route — perfect for creators, communities, digital brands, and fast-moving startups.

You can also leverage both platforms where they work best with SendPulse:

• For Telegram, you can build fully automated chatbots with menus, buttons, and multi-step flows. Handle customer inquiries, send broadcasts, deliver content, and qualify leads — all from a chatbot you can launch in minutes.
• For WhatsApp, SendPulse acts as your official Business Solution Provider. You can set up approved message templates, manage the 24-hour session logic, connect your CRM, and automate replies or campaigns — all with full compliance and control.

Everything runs through a visual chatbot builder — easy enough to use without devs, yet powerful enough to connect with your existing tools and sales stack. Whether you’re nurturing leads, supporting customers, or sending time-sensitive updates, you can do it all from one place.

Start building your WhatsApp and Telegram automations with SendPulse and let your messaging work harder, smarter, and everywhere your customers are.