Telegram vs. Threema: comparison of messengers

There are many Whatsapp alternatives, but which is the best? In our comparison Telegram vs. Threema we go into the advantages and disadvantages of the two messengers.

• While you're constantly hearing from other messengers that there are significant security vulnerabilities, Threema is taking a different path. With end-to-end encryption, the messaging app promises that your conversations are secure and that no one can gain access.
• The encryption method is known and is considered secure. Before you send a message, Threema encrypts the text. The tool only decrypts the message on the recipient's smartphone. Stiftung Warentest rated Threema in the test as "uncritical".
• Threema will only access the information in your address book if you specifically allow it. Even then, the data is only transferred anonymously to the app, so you don't have to worry about your contact details being passed on.
• Like other messengers, Threema has features like group chats. In general, the messenger can be operated in a similar way to the popular Whatsapp.
• Threema is available once for 1.99 euros for Android and 1.79 euros for iOS. There are no further fees after this one-time payment.

Telegram: Are the encrypted chats really secure?

Telegram tries to connect to Threema through its encrypted chats, but is viewed critically by experts.

• Telegram is a typical messenger and can therefore be operated just like Threema and WhatsApp. Functions such as group chats or voice recordings are also preserved in Telegram. So there are also no major differences from the known models.
• Telegram wants to stand out by choosing which chats start encrypted. These are designed to ensure that you can have safe conversations.
• Encryption at Telegram is now considered relatively secure. Even if normal chats are stored on the Telegram servers with 256-bit AES encryption, the "secret chat" in Telegram is much more secure. End-to-end encryption, which is one of the highest standards, is used here. Unfortunately, this encryption is only used after your own request.
• Unlike Threema, however, Telegram is completely free. You are not faced with annual or one-off fees.

Who is ahead? Threema or Telegram?

Overall, the two messengers do not differ: you get all the functions you are used to from a messenger. So there are no differences in this area.

• The comparison only becomes interesting if you look at the security of the two messengers: The end-to-end encryption protocol used is generally considered secure. Right from the start, Threema relies on this standard for every chat. Telegram also offers this option, but Messenger is only really secure if you activate this function yourself for each individual chat.
• Privacy advocates criticize Threema for not even giving experts insight into the source code of the app or the encryption process. Customers must therefore trust Threema blindly, security can hardly be checked by itself. Telegram is an open source project and can therefore largely be viewed and analyzed by independent auditors.
• In the meantime, Threema is hardly any more secure than Telegram. Even WhatsApp will soon integrate such secure encryption. You have to decide for yourself whether the low added value of Threema is justified by a purchase price of just under two euros. At the moment you are also chatting with Telegram via the "secret chat" securely and above all free of charge.

If you want to know how Threema performs in a direct comparison with Whatsapp, we recommend the following practical tip.