# Telegram Messenger vs Plato

The clearest difference is rating: Plato at 4.7 against Telegram Messenger's 4.0. Telegram Messenger's advantage is chart position (#3 vs #45) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Telegram Messenger sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Plato sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Plato holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 280K and 286K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Telegram Messenger's written reviews are positive against 42% of Plato's.

Telegram Messenger ships an update weekly, Plato every 8 days. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Telegram Messenger | Plato |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (280K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807/reviews) | **[4.7 (286K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plato-fun-multiplayer-games/id1054747306/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 280K | **286K** |
| Positive reviews | 34.6% of reviews | **41.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | #45 |
| Size | 232 MB | 319 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Telegram FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/686450210) | [Plato Team Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054747305) |

## What reviewers say

### Telegram Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Social Networking, #5 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #41 Top Free, #47 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


### Plato

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plato-fun-multiplayer-games/id1054747306)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Free · Social Networking, #117 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Engage in over 50 multiplayer games seamlessly integrated with chat features. Connect with friends and new people through group chats, voice chat, and competitive play. Enjoy a private, ad-free experience with personalized profiles and game settings.

**Highlights:** Over 50 multiplayer games, Integrated chat and voice chat, Ad-free gaming experience, Personalized profiles and themes, Competitive ranked games and tournaments, Privacy-focused data collection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1,000 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 Pips | $0.99 | one-time |
| August 2026 Special Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| 5,500 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 50 Pips | $4.99 | one-time |
| One-Time Special Offer | $5.99 | one-time |
| 20,000 Coins Special Offer | $7.99 | one-time |
| 12,500 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 100 Pips | $9.99 | one-time |
| 35,000 Coins | $24.99 | one-time |
| Plato Summer Sale 2025 Bundle | $29.99 | one-time |
| 500 Pips | $49.99 | one-time |
| 85,000 Coins | $49.99 | one-time |
| 200,000 Coins | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game selection
- 🤝 Ability to play with friends
- 💰 Free to play with no ads
- 🕹️ Fun and engaging gameplay
- 🌐 Connects players globally

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- 🕰️ Long wait times to join games
- 🚫 Lack of moderation leads to toxic behavior
- 🔍 Difficulty finding games with preferred language
- 🔒 Inability to leave certain games or chat rooms

**Reported bugs**

- Games disappearing from queue
- Inaccurate scoring and game mechanics
- Persistent connection issues and server problems
- Profile picture restrictions and glitches
- Inability to report or remove disruptive players

**Requested features**

- Add more game modes and genres
- Improve matchmaking and game lobbies
- Implement better moderation tools
- Add language filters and translation features
- Allow users to create and manage their own chat rooms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Telegram Messenger free?

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

### Is Plato free?

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

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

Plato is rated higher. Telegram Messenger averages 4.0 out of 5 from 280K ratings, while Plato averages 4.7 from 286K ratings.

### Do Telegram Messenger or Plato have ads?

Neither Telegram Messenger nor Plato shows ads.

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

Telegram Messenger ships an update weekly, and Plato every 8 days. Most recently, Telegram Messenger was updated on September 26, 2026 and Plato on September 26, 2026.

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

Telegram Messenger currently peaks at #3 in the App Store charts, and Plato at #45. 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.*