Pros
- Android integration and RCS support
- Smart Reply for quick responses
- Free, with no ads or in-app purchases
Google Messages vs Telegram vs WhatsApp: which messaging app should you choose?
Google Messages suits Android-first texting, Telegram suits customizable chats and large file sharing, and WhatsApp is the strongest pick for broad reach, calls, and a high Play rating.
At a glance
Google MessagesGoogle LLCGoogle Play4.2 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesNo
PlatformsAndroidiPhone
Age ratingEveryone
TelegramTelegram FZ-LLCGoogle Play3.8 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.31 - $289.99 per item)
PlatformsAndroidiPhone
Age ratingMature 17+
WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLCGoogle Play4.6 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.40 - $199.99 per item)
PlatformsAndroidiPhone
Age ratingEveryone
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
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How we compared them
All three apps are free communication tools for messaging and sharing media. Google Messages is closely tied to Android and supports RCS, Telegram emphasizes cloud-based chats, customization, and file sharing, while WhatsApp combines messaging with voice and video calls.
This comparison weighs their features and trade-offs alongside Google Play ratings, install counts, pricing, and declared data-safety details where available. It will help you choose based on the people you need to reach and the features you value.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play rating and install figures, price, in-app purchases, and ad status for each app, along with the messaging, calling, sharing, and customization features described for each. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.
We also considered Google Play data-safety declarations where they were given: Telegram and WhatsApp declare that they share no data with third parties, encrypt data in transit, and let users request deletion. Their declared collection categories differ. No data-safety declaration was included for Google Messages, so we do not draw a comparison on that basis.
Google Messages
by Google LLC
4.2 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for: Android users who want integrated texting and RCS
Google Messages is the most natural fit for Android-first texting, with Android integration, RCS support, smart replies, and rich media sharing. Its Google Play rating is 4.2 from 43,639,166 ratings, and it has 10,000,000,000+ installs.
It is free, with no in-app purchases or ads. Compared with Telegram and WhatsApp, it offers fewer customization options and less emphasis on advanced features; full functionality requires internet access, and heavy media use can consume data.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Cons
- Fewer chat customization options than Telegram
- No advanced scheduling features noted
Telegram
by Telegram FZ-LLC
3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for: People who want customizable chats and large file sharing
Telegram offers cloud-based messaging, customizable chat themes, and large file sharing, giving it more flexibility for media-heavy chats than the other two. It has 1,000,000,000+ installs and a Google Play rating of 3.8 from 17,343,583 ratings.
It is free to download, with in-app purchases ranging from $0.31 to $289.99 per item and no ads. Its 17+ content rating is higher than the others, and its declared data collection covers several categories, including contacts, location, files, and messages. Its settings can be hard to find, and notifications may feel overwhelming.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Mature 17+
Pros
- Cloud-based access to chats
- Large file sharing
- Customizable chat themes
Cons
- Lower Play rating than Google Messages and WhatsApp
- 17+ content rating and potentially overwhelming notifications
WhatsApp Messenger
by WhatsApp LLC
4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for: People who want widely used messaging with voice and video calls
WhatsApp combines messaging, voice and video calls, and multimedia sharing, and its broad reach makes it a practical choice for connecting with many people. It has 10,000,000,000+ installs and the highest Google Play rating of these three: 4.6 from 246,492,605 ratings.
It is free, with in-app purchases ranging from $0.40 to $199.99 per item and no ads. WhatsApp declares that it shares no data with third parties, encrypts data in transit, and allows deletion requests; it also declares collection across several categories, including contacts, payment information, and app interactions. Internet access is required, customization is limited, and some features depend on contacts using the app.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Pros
- Voice and video calls alongside messaging
- Highest Play rating among these three
- Broad install reach and multimedia sharing
Cons
- Limited customization compared with Telegram
- Some features depend on contacts using WhatsApp
Which one should you pick?
Google Messages
Best for Android integration and RCS
Telegram
Best for customization and file sharing
WhatsApp Messenger
Best for calls and broad reach
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FAQ
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating of the three, at 4.6 from 246,492,605 ratings. Google Messages is rated 4.2, and Telegram 3.8.
Which app is best for Android texting?
Google Messages is the strongest fit for Android-first texting because it integrates with Android and supports RCS and Smart Reply.
Which app supports voice and video calls?
WhatsApp supports voice and video calls. The feature comparison here does not identify calling as a strength of Google Messages or Telegram.
Which app is best for sharing large files?
Telegram is the clearest choice for large file sharing among these three, and it also offers cloud-based messaging and customizable chat themes.
Mobexer 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.