A first look at Telegram - Messaging and more

Telegram is a mobile messaging application. Like WhatsApp, but not like WhatsApp.

Because of the way people are programmed to approach "new" things, by relating them initially to something known, many people can't get past Telegram being "like WhatsApp". That's a real shame because the deeper you dig the less like WhatsApp it becomes, and that's a good thing.

I've written before about Telegram channels, if you are not sure what they are please read this article. I'm not going to mention channels here because it is a feature not offered by WhatsApp. So ignoring that and just looking at messaging, what are the differences between the two and why would you choose one over the other?

Multi-device support

If you use WhatsApp across multiple devices you have multiple different WhatsApps. While some people might be happy with this set up it's much more convenient, both for you and for other people to use the same service across multiple devices.

Telegram is cloud based, so you can use the same account across multiple devices.

Computer support

Telegram has a superior web app, as well as installable native apps for PC / Mac / Linux. Unlike WhatsApp you can use these applications independently of your phone, so if your phone battery dies or you drop it down the loo you can still access *all your chats.

*Secret chats are device specific so can only ever be accessed from the original device. 

Cloud Storage

Your Telegram account comes with free cloud storage. The "Saved Messages" area can be used not only to save messages but to save and store for all types of files and documents, which are then instantly accessible on all your devices.

Personally I tend to use the cloud space for temporary storage; for moving things across devices such as images from my computer that I want to access on my phone to post to Instagram. But with a file size limit of 1.5Gb per file it can be used as storage for pretty much anything you might want to access from anywhere at some time in the future.

Tip: use hashtags to organise and make finding stuff easy if you start storing a lot of files.

Much Betterer

There are many more features Telegram users would point to as proof of Telegram's superiority in the messaging space. But like all things Facebook owned it is the huge user-base and familiarity which generally holds people back from trying something new.

I think it's sensible not to put all your eggs in one basket and that you should at least take Telegram for a spin long enough to learn how it is different.

You never know you might like it!

Tried Telegram already? Are you a fan? Let me know in the comments! 🤟

Follow @qwallis