# Telegram Messenger vs Ello Messenger

Telegram Messenger and Ello Messenger both sit at 4.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 65% of Ello Messenger's written reviews are positive against 35% of Telegram Messenger's. Telegram Messenger's advantage is ratings volume (280K vs 40) and chart position (#5 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Telegram Messenger sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Ello Messenger sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 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 — 4.0 for Telegram Messenger against 3.9 for Ello Messenger. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Telegram Messenger has 280K ratings behind it against 40, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 35% of Telegram Messenger's written reviews are positive against 65% of Ello Messenger's.

Telegram Messenger ships an update weekly, Ello Messenger every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Telegram Messenger | Ello Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (280K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807/reviews)** | [3.9 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ello-messenger/id6469151194/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **280K** | 40 |
| Positive reviews | 34.6% of reviews | **65.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 232 MB | 363 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Telegram FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/686450210) | [Fast, private and encrypted](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711621771) |

## What reviewers say

### Telegram Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Social Networking, #5 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #44 Top Grossing, #48 Top Free (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


### Ello Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ello-messenger/id6469151194)

This app offers secure messaging and creative tools, including AI-powered content generation. It allows users to connect with others, build communities, and monetize their creations through subscriptions and exclusive content. Sign up easily with just an email.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, AI-powered text and image generation, Creator channels and exclusive content, Fan subscriptions for creators, Direct messaging and group chats, Email-based signup

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Membership | $10.00 | per month |
| Support with $1 | $1.00 | one-time |
| AI Chat Experience Prompts | $4.99 | one-time |
| AI Image Experience Prompts | $4.99 | one-time |
| $5 Wallet Credit | $5.00 | one-time |
| Al Images and Chat | $5.99 | one-time |
| $10 Wallet Credit | $10.00 | one-time |
| Mini | $10.00 | one-time |
| $20 Wallet Credit | $20.00 | one-time |
| $25 Wallet Credit | $25.00 | one-time |
| Small | $25.00 | one-time |
| $50 Wallet Credit | $50.00 | one-time |
| Medium | $50.00 | one-time |
| $75 Wallet Credit | $75.00 | one-time |
| $100 Wallet Credit | $100.00 | one-time |
| Large | $100.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Telegram Messenger free?

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

### Is Ello Messenger free?

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

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

Telegram Messenger is rated higher. Telegram Messenger averages 4.0 out of 5 from 280K ratings, while Ello Messenger averages 3.9 from 40 ratings.

### Do Telegram Messenger or Ello Messenger have ads?

Neither Telegram Messenger nor Ello Messenger shows ads.

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

Telegram Messenger ships an update weekly, and Ello Messenger every 10 days. Most recently, Telegram Messenger was updated on September 26, 2026 and Ello Messenger on September 23, 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.*