# Telegram Messenger vs Threads

The clearest difference is rating: Threads at 4.6 against Telegram Messenger's 4.0. Threads also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 34%) and ratings volume (2.3M vs 282K). Telegram Messenger's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Telegram Messenger sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Threads sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Threads holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Threads has 2.3M ratings behind it against 282K, 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 52% of Threads's.

Telegram Messenger ships an update fortnightly, Threads weekly. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Telegram Messenger | Threads |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (282K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807/reviews) | **[4.6 (2.3M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threads/id6446901002/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 282K | **2.3M** |
| Positive reviews | 34.3% of reviews | **51.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #4 | **#2** |
| Size | 244 MB | 221 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.3 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Telegram FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/686450210) | [Instagram, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/389801255) |

## What reviewers say

### Telegram Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #5 Top Free · Social Networking, #32 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


### Threads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threads/id6446901002)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Social Networking, #8 Top Free (US App Store)

Connect and share your thoughts on a platform designed for conversation. Discover trending topics, join communities based on your interests, and engage in discussions through text, images, and polls. You can also control your experience with privacy settings and direct messaging.

**Highlights:** Start conversations with text, images, polls, and more, Join discussions through replies, Stay updated on trending topics, Control content visibility and replies, Discover communities and creators, Private 1:1 and group direct messaging

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $0.99 | per month |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $1.99 | per month |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $2.99 | per month |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $3.99 | per month |
| No ads (1 account) | $7.99 | per month |
| No ads (2 accounts) | $12.99 | per month |
| No ads (3 accounts) | $17.99 | per month |
| No ads (4 accounts) | $21.99 | per month |
| No ads (4 accounts) | $22.99 | per month |
| No ads (5 accounts) | $26.99 | per month |
| No ads (7 accounts) | $37.99 | per month |
| No ads (8 accounts) | $42.99 | per month |
| No ads (13 accounts) | $67.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Clean and simple interface
- 🚀 Smooth performance
- 💡 Integrated with Instagram
- 🤝 Sense of community
- 😊 Positive and friendly environment

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🤖 Too many suggested/random posts
- 🔍 Lacking search and discovery features
- 🔀 Difficulty switching between accounts
- 📱 No iPad app

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to post or comment
- Disappearing posts and replies
- Inconsistent account linking with Instagram

**Requested features**

- Chronological feed option
- Hashtag and keyword search
- Trending topics section
- Bookmarking/saving posts
- Direct messaging functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Telegram Messenger free?

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

### Is Threads free?

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

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

Threads is rated higher. Telegram Messenger averages 4.0 out of 5 from 282K ratings, while Threads averages 4.6 from 2.3M ratings.

### Do Telegram Messenger or Threads have ads?

Threads shows ads; Telegram Messenger does not.

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

Telegram Messenger ships an update fortnightly, and Threads weekly. Most recently, Telegram Messenger was updated on October 12, 2026 and Threads on October 12, 2026.

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

Telegram Messenger currently peaks at #4 in the App Store charts, and Threads at #2. 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.*