Telegram vs WhatsApp:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, WhatsApp had more branded searches than Telegram among messaging apps in New Zealand. WhatsApp had about 186,000 branded searches, while Telegram had 16,100. WhatsApp made up 54.8% of all messaging app searches we track, and Telegram accounted for 4.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about messaging apps, WhatsApp appeared in all five answers and Telegram in four. WhatsApp was mentioned before Telegram in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
WhatsApp, about 12 searches for every 1 for Telegram
Who does AI mention more?
WhatsApp, 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, WhatsApp 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. 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
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 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 searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for WhatsApp, Telegram. 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 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 in New Zealand moved from 5% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 17.2K to 16.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand moved from 47.9% to 54.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 166K to 186K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand messaging apps in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, WhatsApp gained share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand, from 54.1% to 54.8%.
In September 2026, Telegram lost share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand, from 5.7% to 4.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
10 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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