Pros
- Integrates with Google services
- Group chats support up to 150 people
- Free voice and video calls globally
Hangouts vs Skype vs Telegram: which communication app should you choose?
Choose Hangouts for straightforward Google-connected chats, Skype for video calls and screen sharing, or Telegram for fast, customizable messaging and large file sharing.
At a glance
HangoutsGoogle LLCGoogle Play4.1 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchases–
PlatformsAndroid
Age ratingPEGI 3
SkypeSkypeGoogle Play4.4 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($2.99 - $96.79 per item)
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+
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
Hangouts, Skype, and Telegram all support digital communication, but they emphasize different needs. Hangouts connects closely with Google services, Skype pairs messaging with video calling and screen sharing, and Telegram focuses on fast, cloud-based messaging and file sharing.
This comparison weighs their features, trade-offs, Google Play ratings, and reach to help you decide which app fits your contacts and priorities.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings and install figures, along with each app’s price, ads, and in-app purchases where those details are available. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026; ratings and installs can change over time.
We also compared the communication features and trade-offs described for each app. Telegram declares that it shares no data with third parties, collects several categories of information, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No data safety declaration was supplied for Hangouts or Skype, so this comparison makes no claims about their declarations.
Hangouts
by Google LLC
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for: simple chats with Google-connected contacts
Hangouts is the straightforward choice for people already using Google services. It combines messaging with voice and video calls, supports group chats of up to 150 people, and syncs conversations across devices. It is free and has a 4.1 Google Play rating from 3,000,000 ratings.
Its Google connection and simple interface make it approachable, but a Google account is required. Chat customization is limited, and it lacks end-to-end encryption. It is also a weaker fit for professional team collaboration than Skype’s screen sharing.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android
- Age rating
- PEGI 3
Cons
- Requires a Google account
- No end-to-end encryption
Skype
by Skype
4.4 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for: video calls and screen sharing
Skype offers the strongest mix of video calling and collaboration features among these three, including screen sharing and end-to-end encryption. Its cross-platform support makes it useful for communicating across different devices. Google Play shows a 4.4 rating from 11,726,754 ratings and more than 1,000,000,000 installs.
Skype is free to download, with in-app purchases ranging from $2.99 to $96.79 per item. It requires a Microsoft account, and its system-resource demands and occasional connection issues can be drawbacks. Some features are limited without payment.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Pros
- Screen sharing for calls
- End-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform support
Cons
- Requires a Microsoft account
- In-app purchases and limited free features
Telegram
by Telegram FZ-LLC
3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for: customizable messaging and large file sharing
Telegram is the strongest fit here for fast, cloud-based messaging, customizable chat themes, and sharing large files. It also supports large group chats and has no ads. Google Play shows more than 1,000,000,000 installs and a 3.8 rating from 17,343,583 ratings.
Telegram is free, with in-app purchases ranging from $0.31 to $289.99 per item, and its content rating is Mature 17+. Its security claims need a distinction: end-to-end encryption is available for Secret Chats, rather than being the default for every chat. Settings can be hard to find, and notifications may become overwhelming.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Mature 17+
Pros
- Cloud-based messaging and easy access
- Large file sharing
- Customizable chat themes
Cons
- End-to-end encryption is limited to Secret Chats
- Notifications can be overwhelming
Which one should you pick?
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FAQ
Which app is best for video calls?
Skype is the clearest pick if you want video calls with screen sharing. Hangouts also supports voice and video calls, while Telegram’s listed strengths center on messaging and file sharing.
Which app is best for privacy?
Skype offers end-to-end encryption, while Telegram offers it in Secret Chats. Hangouts does not offer end-to-end encryption. Telegram also declares that it encrypts data in transit and lets users request data deletion.
Which app is best for sharing large files?
Telegram is the strongest choice for large file sharing, with cloud-based access to messages and files.
Which app is free to use?
All three are free to download. Skype and Telegram also offer in-app purchases; Hangouts is listed as free.
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.