# Telegram Messenger vs FaceTime

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FaceTime at none against Telegram Messenger's 22. FaceTime also leads on rating (4.2 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Telegram Messenger's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (282K vs 27K). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Telegram Messenger sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. FaceTime asks for nothing beyond the download.

FaceTime holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Telegram Messenger has 282K ratings behind it against 27K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of Telegram Messenger's written reviews are positive against 40% of FaceTime's.

Telegram Messenger ships an update fortnightly, FaceTime every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Telegram Messenger | FaceTime |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (282K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807/reviews) | **[4.2 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/facetime/id1110145091/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **282K** | 27K |
| Positive reviews | 34.3% of reviews | **40.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | — |
| Size | 244 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Telegram FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/686450210) | [Apple Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### Telegram Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Social Networking, #4 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #26 Top Free, #42 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


### FaceTime

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/facetime/id1110145091)

Connect with loved ones through high-quality audio and video calls. Share experiences like watching videos or listening to music together, collaborate on projects, and enhance your calls with fun effects and improved audio quality. Easily invite anyone to join, regardless of their device.

**Highlights:** Video and audio messaging, SharePlay for synced media, Screen sharing with remote control, Real-time document collaboration, Web link invitations for non-Apple users, Advanced mic modes and video effects, Seamless call handoff between devices

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💕 Seamless and reliable video calling
- 🔍 Excellent audio and video quality
- 🤝 Great for staying connected with friends and family
- 🎨 Fun features like Animoji and Memoji
- 🌐 Compatibility with non-Apple devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent call drops and connection issues
- 🔇 Audio cutting out or not working
- 🔍 Blurry or low-quality video
- 🤯 Confusing UI changes and button placements
- 🔋 Phone overheating during calls

**Reported bugs**

- Calls not connecting or dropping unexpectedly
- Inability to mute or unmute during calls
- Duplicate participants in group calls
- Screen sharing not working as expected
- Automatic call receiving with speaker on

**Requested features**

- Add filters and fun effects
- Improve screen sharing functionality
- Implement a video voicemail feature
- Allow mirroring of asymmetric faces
- Provide an option to permanently display the camera button


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Telegram Messenger free?

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

### Is FaceTime free?

FaceTime is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

FaceTime is rated higher. Telegram Messenger averages 4.0 out of 5 from 282K ratings, while FaceTime averages 4.2 from 27K ratings.

### Do Telegram Messenger or FaceTime have ads?

Neither Telegram Messenger nor FaceTime shows ads.

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

Telegram Messenger ships an update fortnightly, and FaceTime every 6 months. Most recently, Telegram Messenger was updated on October 15, 2026 and FaceTime on October 15, 2026.

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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.*