Telegram review

Telegram earns its place for free calls to large groups. Its FAQ says you can make end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls and turn any call into a group call with up to 200 participants, also protected by end-to-end encryption. That is far more than WhatsApp's 32-person limit, which helps for a community or extended family spread across countries. Telegram describes itself as fast, simple and free, and your messages stay in sync across any number of phones, tablets and computers, so you can start a call on whichever device is closest. Groups and channels also support voice chats and live streams. As with WhatsApp and Signal, Telegram only calls other Telegram users and has no way to dial a landline or ordinary mobile number. Its FAQ also explains that regular cloud chats use client-server encryption, with end-to-end encryption reserved for calls and Secret Chats.

Who it is for

users who want large free group calls across devices

Price

Free app-to-app calls.

Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security, it's super-fast, simple and free.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• End-to-end encrypted voice and video calls
• Any call can become a group call with up to 200 participants
• Group calls are also end-to-end encrypted
• Messages sync across any number of phones, tablets and computers
• Voice chats and live streams in groups and channels

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Group calls hold up to 200 participants
• Strength: Free to use on all devices at once
• Strength: Calls start from any chat on phone or desktop
• Weakness: Only calls other Telegram users
• Weakness: No paid option for calling landlines or mobile numbers
• Weakness: Regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default, only calls and Secret Chats

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Group call size: Up to 200 participants
• Call encryption: End-to-end
• Calls to phone numbers: No

Where it ranks

Telegram is No. 7 in our Best International Calling Apps verdict.