Before WhatsApp Web was introduced, Telegram had already launched its own web-based version of its secure messaging platform. In terms of functionality, Telegram’s web app surpasses its competitors, offering nearly all the features available on the mobile app.
Send Telegrams from Any Device
To begin using Telegram on the web, you must first create an account via the mobile app (available on Android, iOS, or Windows Phone). Once your account is verified through the mobile app, you can seamlessly start chatting from any device.
Telegram for the web allows you to message your contacts, create group chats, and send unlimited audio and video files (you can send them in batches if needed). You can also insert emoticons, stickers, and even stickers of well-known world leaders like Gandhi. While voice and video calls aren’t supported yet, voice messages can still be sent.
The web app includes an in-app browser that lets you view links directly within Telegram, though you can disable this feature if you prefer. Links from platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, Vine, and YouTube are embedded within the chat, displaying the full content rather than just a link. Additionally, @mentioning someone’s username instantly opens a chat with them.
Your phone contacts are automatically synced with the web version, but you can also search for others by their usernames. For better control, notification settings can be customized for individual contacts—so you can mute specific friends if their messages become overwhelming!
Speed and Security at Its Core
Security has always been a defining feature of Telegram, and this extends to the web app. Messages are securely encrypted in the cloud. However, one feature missing from the web version is the “secret chat,” which offers self-destructing messages that aren’t stored on Telegram’s servers and can’t be forwarded.
Given WhatsApp’s acquisition by Facebook, some users have expressed concerns over data privacy, which is where Telegram seeks to stand out by promising never to sell user data.
Telegram is also known for its speed. Sending multiple photos happens almost instantly, and both audio and video files upload and send quickly. Messages sync flawlessly across devices, ensuring that when you read a message on one device, it is marked as read on others, eliminating the need for multiple notifications.
Is Telegram a Viable Alternative to WhatsApp?
With privacy and security becoming increasingly important for users, Telegram has carved out a significant niche for itself. It offers a superior web experience with more features, better speed, and seamless synchronization, making it a solid alternative to WhatsApp. Telegram’s promise to safeguard user privacy while providing a fast, efficient messaging experience has earned it a loyal user base.
