# WeChat vs Telegram Messenger

The clearest difference is ads: Telegram Messenger at none against WeChat's shown. Telegram Messenger also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (35% vs 24%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WeChat sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Telegram Messenger sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for WeChat against 4.0 for Telegram Messenger. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 81K and 280K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of WeChat's written reviews are positive against 35% of Telegram Messenger's.

WeChat ships an update every 3 weeks, Telegram Messenger weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | WeChat | Telegram Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (81K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wechat/id414478124/reviews) | **[4.0 (280K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 81K | **280K** |
| Positive reviews | 24.0% of reviews | **34.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #16 | **#3** |
| Size | 887 MB | 232 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [WeChat](https://appshunter.io/developer/614694882) | [Telegram FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/686450210) |

## What reviewers say

### WeChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wechat/id414478124)

**Currently charting:** #16 Top Free · Social Networking, #26 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through messaging, voice, and video calls. Discover news, local services, and games within the app. Features mobile payment and health tracking capabilities.

**Highlights:** Text, photo, voice, and video messaging, Group chats up to 500 members, High-quality voice and video calls, Real-time location sharing, Moments for sharing photos and videos, Official Accounts for news and content, Mini Programs for third-party services, Mobile payment with Weixin Pay

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $0.99 | one-time |
| 42 WeBeans | $0.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| 126 WeBeans | $2.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $3.99 | one-time |
| 350 WeBeans | $6.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $9.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $14.99 | one-time |
| 896 WeBeans | $19.99 | one-time |
| 9086 WeBeans | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great all-in-one app
- 👍 Convenient features like payments and mini-programs
- 💡 Useful translation and sharing functions
- 🔒 Secure and private

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Accounts getting blocked for no reason
- 🔒 Strict security measures and verification requirements
- 👎 Poor customer support and unresponsive to user issues
- 🔋 High storage and battery consumption
- 🤔 Censorship and monitoring concerns

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and connectivity issues
- Syncing problems between devices
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Unreliable voice/video call quality

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode option
- Improve chat organization with folders and pinning
- Allow editing of posted content
- Provide better translation and language support
- Simplify account recovery and unblocking process


### Telegram Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Social Networking, #5 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #33 Top Free, #46 Top Grossing (US App Store)

A fast, secure, and powerful instant messaging app synced across all devices. It offers unlimited media and file sharing, robust encryption, and extensive group chat capabilities. Enjoy a simple, private, and customizable communication experience.

**Highlights:** Cross-device synchronization, Unlimited file and media sharing, End-to-end encrypted secret chats, Large group chats (up to 200,000 members), Customizable themes and stickers, Bots for task automation, Photo and video editing tools

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Telegram Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Telegram Premium Annual | $35.99 | per year |
| 50 Telegram Stars | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1x Telegram Premium (One Week) | $1.19 | one-time |
| 100 Telegram Stars | $1.99 | one-time |
| 250 Telegram Stars | $5.09 | one-time |
| 500 Telegram Stars | $9.99 | one-time |
| Telegram Premium (3 Months) | $14.99 | one-time |
| 750 Telegram Stars | $14.99 | one-time |
| Telegram Premium (6 Months) | $19.99 | one-time |
| 1x Premium (6 Months) | $19.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Telegram Stars | $19.99 | one-time |
| 1500 Telegram Stars | $29.99 | one-time |
| Telegram Premium (1 Year) | $35.99 | one-time |
| 1x Premium (1 Year) | $35.99 | one-time |
| 2500 Telegram Stars | $50.90 | one-time |
| 5x Premium (3 Months Each) | $74.99 | one-time |
| 10x Premium (3 Months Each) | $149.99 | one-time |
| 5x Premium (1 Year Each) | $179.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Customizable and user-friendly
- 💡 Innovative features like channels and bots
- 🌟 Great overall messaging experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable at times
- 🔋 Battery life issues
- 🚫 Lack of video calling feature
- 📂 Issues with media uploads and downloads
- 🔍 Inadequate search functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues and cursor placement problems
- Frequent app crashes, especially in large group chats
- Inaccurate 'last seen' timestamps
- Notification issues and duplicate messages
- Problems with media auto-save and download

**Requested features**

- Add video calling feature
- Improve search capabilities
- Implement a story/status feature
- Allow more customization options
- Segregate channels, bots, and individual chats


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WeChat free?

WeChat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Telegram Messenger free?

Telegram Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WeChat or Telegram Messenger?

Telegram Messenger is rated higher. WeChat averages 3.9 out of 5 from 81K ratings, while Telegram Messenger averages 4.0 from 280K ratings.

### Do WeChat or Telegram Messenger have ads?

WeChat shows ads; Telegram Messenger does not.

### Which is updated more often, WeChat or Telegram Messenger?

WeChat ships an update every 3 weeks, and Telegram Messenger weekly. Most recently, WeChat was updated on September 24, 2026 and Telegram Messenger on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, WeChat or Telegram Messenger?

WeChat currently peaks at #16 in the App Store charts, and Telegram Messenger at #3. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*