Telegram vs WhatsApp:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, WhatsApp had more branded searches than Telegram among messaging apps worldwide. WhatsApp had about 277 million branded searches, while Telegram had 31.1 million. WhatsApp made up 78.1% of all messaging app searches we track, and Telegram accounted for 8.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about messaging apps, both Telegram and WhatsApp appeared in all five answers. WhatsApp was mentioned before Telegram in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
WhatsApp, about 9 searches for every 1 for Telegram
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
WhatsApp, named ahead of Telegram in every answer
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Top messaging apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Telegram and WhatsApp showed up in all five answers. WhatsApp was listed before Telegram in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- WhatsApp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Telegram5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Signal5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Discord2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Messenger2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Viber1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
WeChat0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about messaging apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which messaging app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best messaging apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best messaging app for everyday chat?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“messaging apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“secure messaging app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Telegram or WhatsApp more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Telegram and WhatsApp by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven messaging apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for WhatsApp, Telegram. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Telegram | Discord | Messenger | Signal | Viber | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 71.8% | 9.9% | 11.8% | 5.3% | 0.39% | 0.48% | 0.32% |
| Nov 2025 | 72.6% | 10% | 12% | 4.4% | 0.39% | 0.39% | 0.26% |
| Dec 2025 | 68.4% | 11.6% | 13.8% | 5% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 68.4% | 11.6% | 13.8% | 5% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% | 5.2% | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.26% |
| Mar 2026 | 72.6% | 10% | 12% | 4.4% | 0.39% | 0.39% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 74.3% | 10.2% | 10% | 4.5% | 0.33% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| May 2026 | 72.7% | 10% | 12% | 4.4% | 0.32% | 0.39% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 72.6% | 12.3% | 9.8% | 4.4% | 0.32% | 0.39% | 0.26% |
| Jul 2026 | 74.4% | 10.3% | 10% | 4.5% | 0.27% | 0.33% | 0.27% |
| Aug 2026 | 72.7% | 10% | 12% | 4.4% | 0.32% | 0.32% | 0.26% |
| Sep 2026 | 78.1% | 8.8% | 8.6% | 3.8% | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
How has the Telegram and WhatsApp comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- WhatsApp was ahead of Telegram in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Telegram’s share of searches among messaging apps worldwide moved from 9.9% to 8.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 31.2M to 31.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among messaging apps worldwide moved from 71.8% to 78.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 226M to 277M.
How did search popularity change for messaging apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, WhatsApp gained share of searches among messaging apps worldwide, from 72.7% to 78.1%.
In September 2026, Telegram lost share of searches among messaging apps worldwide, from 10% to 8.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Telegram’s and WhatsApp’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among messaging apps
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