Google Messages
Best for straightforward texting
Google Messages vs WhatsApp vs Telegram: which messaging app should you choose?
Choose Google Messages for straightforward Android texting, WhatsApp for encrypted chats and calls with a broad network, or Telegram for customization and large-file sharing.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google MessagesGoogle LLC | 4.2 out of 543,639,166 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC | 4.6 out of 5246,492,605 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.40 - $199.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 TelegramTelegram FZ-LLC | 3.8 out of 517,343,583 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.31 - $289.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Mature 17+ |
Ratings and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Prices change over time.
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How we compared them
All three are free communication apps for messaging and media sharing, and each has more than a billion Google Play installs. Their priorities differ: Google Messages focuses on familiar texting and Google integration, WhatsApp emphasizes private chats and calling, and Telegram offers extensive customization and file sharing.
This comparison weighs their features, trade-offs, Google Play ratings and declared data-safety practices to help you decide which one fits your contacts and communication habits.
How we compared them
We compared the apps’ features and trade-offs alongside their Google Play ratings, install figures, prices, in-app purchases and ad status. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026; ratings and installs are snapshots and can change.
For WhatsApp and Telegram, we also considered the data-safety declarations on Google Play: both say they share no data with third parties, encrypt data in transit and allow deletion requests, while listing different categories of collected data. No data-safety declaration was supplied for Google Messages, so it is not assessed on that point.
Google Messages
by Google LLC
4.2 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forsimple texting with Google integration
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 43,639,166
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Google Messages is a natural fit for Android users who want familiar texting with smart reply suggestions, rich media sharing and cross-device message sync. Its Google integration and straightforward interface make it the clearest choice here for everyday messaging without moving an entire social circle to a separate messenger.
Its trade-off is a narrower feature set than WhatsApp or Telegram: customization is limited, and advanced features depend on an internet connection. Some features require a Google account, and delivery delays can occur; its listed weaknesses also include no end-to-end encryption.
Pros
Smart reply suggestions for quick responsesGoogle service integration and cross-device syncFree, with no ads or in-app purchases
Cons
No end-to-end encryption, unlike WhatsApp's encrypted chatsLess customization and file-sharing flexibility than Telegram
WhatsApp Messenger
by WhatsApp LLC
4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forprivate chats and calls with a wide network
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 246,492,605
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
WhatsApp combines end-to-end encrypted messaging with voice and video calls, making it the strongest fit here for people who want private conversations and an established cross-platform messenger. Its 4.6 Google Play rating is the highest of these three, and it has more than 10 billion installs.
The app needs an internet connection, offers limited customization and can use considerable storage. Its declared data-safety practices say it shares no data with third parties and encrypts data in transit, while also collecting several categories, including contacts, payment information, approximate location and app interactions. In-app purchases are available.
Pros
End-to-end encrypted messagingVoice and video callingHighest Google Play rating among these three
Cons
Requires an internet connection for messagingLess theme customization than Telegram
Telegram
by Telegram FZ-LLC
3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forcustomization and sharing large files
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 17,343,583
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Mature 17+
Telegram is the strongest pick here for people who want customizable themes, multi-device syncing and support for large files. It combines fast messaging with broad media sharing, and its Google Play declaration says data is encrypted in transit and users can request deletion.
Its lower 3.8 Google Play rating and Mature 17+ content rating may matter to some users. Telegram can also feel busy in group-heavy use, and its declared collection includes categories such as precise location, files, messages, photos and videos. Its end-to-end encryption is a feature to consider carefully: the app's general chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default.
Pros
Customizable themes and settingsLarge-file and media sharingMulti-device syncing across platforms
Cons
General chats are not end-to-end encrypted by defaultLower Google Play rating than the other two
Which one should you pick?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these apps has end-to-end encrypted chats?
WhatsApp provides end-to-end encrypted messaging. Telegram's general cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default; its Secret Chats offer end-to-end encryption. Google Messages is listed here as not providing end-to-end encryption.
Which app is best for sharing large files?
Telegram is the strongest fit of the three for large-file sharing. WhatsApp supports media sharing, while Google Messages offers rich media sharing.
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating in this comparison at 4.6, followed by Google Messages at 4.2 and Telegram at 3.8. These figures were read on November 7, 2026.
Are Google Messages, WhatsApp and Telegram free?
All three are free to download. Google Messages has no in-app purchases; WhatsApp and Telegram offer in-app purchases.
Mobxio compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and prices are shown for reference and can change.