Signal vs Telegram:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Telegram had more branded searches than Signal among messaging apps in New Zealand. Telegram had about 16,100 branded searches, while Signal had 1,860. Telegram made up 4.8% of all messaging app searches we track, and Signal accounted for 0.55%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about messaging apps, Signal appeared in all five answers and Telegram in four. Signal was mentioned before Telegram in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Telegram, about 9 searches for every 1 for Signal
Who does AI mention more?
Signal, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Signal, 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, Signal appeared in all five answers. Telegram was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Signal 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- Signal5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Telegram4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Messenger4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Discord3 of 5Named in 2 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
Viber0 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 in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best messaging apps in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best messaging app in New Zealand for chat with friends?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“messaging apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“secure messaging app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Signal or Telegram more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Signal and Telegram by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven messaging apps we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Telegram, Signal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Discord | Telegram | Messenger | Viber | Signal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.9% | 41% | 5% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.62% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.6% | 43.2% | 4.4% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.47% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.4% | 42.6% | 5.1% | 2.3% | 2% | 1.8% | 0.69% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.5% | 38.4% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.74% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.9% | 38.7% | 5.5% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.64% |
| Mar 2026 | 50% | 39% | 5.5% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.5% | 40.9% | 6% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.58% |
| May 2026 | 50.4% | 39% | 5.4% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.58% |
| Jun 2026 | 54% | 34.5% | 5.8% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.59% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.3% | 36.6% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.63% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.1% | 34.6% | 5.7% | 2.3% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.8% | 35.1% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
How has the Signal and Telegram comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Telegram was ahead of Signal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Signal’s share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand moved from 0.62% to 0.55%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.1K to 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Telegram’s share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand moved from 5% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 17.2K to 16.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand messaging apps in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Telegram lost share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand, from 5.7% to 4.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Signal in New Zealand fell 13.5% over 12 measured months, from 2.1K to 1.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Signal’s and Telegram’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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