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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

Telegram Messenger

65
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

Telegram Messenger is a widely used app with strong core messaging features, but recent updates have introduced paywalls for previously free features and a number of bugs, making its value proposition less clear.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $50.90 4.0★ lifetime (273,938) since 2013

Telegram Messenger offers fast and secure messaging with unlimited cloud storage, but recent updates have led to complaints about paywalls for basic features like message translation and numerous bugs. While some users praise its core functionality, others are frustrated by forced payments and a decline in quality, making the decision to pay dependent on individual feature needs and tolerance for current issues.

Free vs paid

The free version of Telegram Messenger provides core messaging capabilities, unlimited cloud storage, and bot integrations R115. However, recent changes have moved some previously free features, such as message translation, behind a paywall with limited free usage R3. Some users also report being asked to pay simply to use the app or log in R2R13R22R44.

Value complaints

  • Basic features like message translation are now paywalled with very limited free usage.R3
  • Users in some regions or under specific circumstances are being asked to pay simply to use the app or log in, which was not previously the case.R2R13R22R44
  • There are complaints about being 'nickel-and-dimed' for features that were once standard or are free in other apps.R3
  • Some users report being unable to cancel subscriptions, leading to unwanted charges and lack of support.R27

Where it delivers

  • Many users consider it their favorite messenger, praising its speed, security, and user-friendliness.R1R79R81R85
  • It offers unlimited cloud storage and powerful bot integrations, enhancing productivity.R115
  • Some users appreciate the recent change to make SMS fees free, which helps students access educational materials.R43
  • The app is generally seen as a good way to keep in touch with family and friends.R38R85
Worth paying if

You might consider paying if you heavily rely on features like message translation and find the limited free translations insufficient R3. It could also be worth it if you are a long-time user who values the app's core security and speed and are willing to pay for premium features despite the recent paywall complaints R115R81.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying if you are looking for a completely free messaging experience without paywalls for basic features R3R2R13. Users experiencing significant bugs, security concerns, or issues with account access should also avoid paying until these problems are resolved R11R10.

Evidence note: The reviews indicate a strong negative trend regarding paywalls and bugs, especially for features that were previously free. While there is praise for core functionalities, the recent complaints about monetization and technical issues are prominent and frequent.

Frequently asked

Is Telegram Messenger free to use?
Telegram Messenger is generally free to use for its core messaging features, but recent updates have introduced paywalls for some functionalities like message translation, which now has limited free usage R3. Some users also report being asked to pay to simply use or log into the app R2R13R22R44.
Are there issues with Telegram's video messages and calls?
Yes, several users have reported issues with video messages and calls, including accelerated or choppy video circles, loss of front camera zoom, overheating during recording, and video glitches R1R41R73R77.
Does Telegram Messenger have problems with spam and scams?
Yes, multiple users report significant issues with spam and scams, including being contacted by random individuals offering money, receiving criminal spam after providing their phone number, and encountering 'bots messaging about corn links' R7R10R11R221.
Are there bugs in the Telegram app?
Yes, users report various bugs, including repeated AirPods announced messages, autocorrect issues, non-functional global search, problems with notifications, overheating on iPhones, and keyboard issues on iPadOS R42R21R26R35.
Can I log in to Telegram without a phone number?
Currently, the app primarily requires a phone number for login and registration, with users requesting features like email sign-up or QR code login for iPads R92R119R34.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] 2/5 · US Telegram Is Turning Into a Paywall Factory: Telegram used to be a solid messaging app, but lately it feels like they’re charging for anything they can get away with. Basic features like message translation are now locked behind limits unless you pay, and the “free” translations run out almost immediately. It’s ridiculous watching a once‑great app nickel‑and‑dime users for features that were standa
  2. [R2] 1/5 · US Why does China charge: Why does China charge · translated
  3. [R13] 1/5 · US ??: My telegram isn’t opening cause I’m being asked to pay something I don’t want to.
  4. [R22] 1/5 · US Difficult in using telegram: Why should I pay before using telegram in Ghana
  5. [R44] 1/5 · US Complain: Why are you asking me too pay for the app
  6. [R27] 1/5 · US Zero service: I couldn't cancel my messenger subscription. Money was debited, support doesn't respond, there's no number to call, customer convenience is simply non-existent. · translated
  7. [R1] 5/5 · US What's wrong with video messages: My favorite messenger, but with the latest update, video messages have become very bad. They used to be smooth, but now they seem accelerated, and the front camera zoom is gone. Please fix it 🙏🏻 · translated
  8. [R79] 5/5 · US Best messenger!: Best messenger! · translated
  9. [R81] 5/5 · US Thank you!: Best messenger💙 thank you for everything, I'm switching to another messenger, unfortunately. Thank you for keeping me safe all these years · translated
  10. [R85] 5/5 · US Great app: Another app to keep in touch with love ones near and far away.
  11. [R115] 5/5 · US Fast, Secure & Highly Productive: The fastest, most secure messaging app available. Unlimited cloud storage and powerful bot integrations make it incredibly productive.
  12. [R43] 5/5 · US Huge thank to telegram team: I don’t know if this massage will reach telegram team but I am really thanking you guys for making the sms fee free. in the last 6 month I was struggling with that fee because I was an student and it was difficult to reach the lessons and the exercises but making it free will make my life easy and my education also easy so thank youuuuu really much.
  13. [R38] 5/5 · US Great: Love to text my famliy on here
  14. [R41] 1/5 · US Overheating issues: The app is good, however, I’m an active user of video messages, and when recording them, my iPhone literally gets as hot as a frying pan after just a couple of minutes! This has never happened on older versions before. Please fix the app. For now, I’m giving it 1 star because of the overheating issue, which should not be happening.
  15. [R73] 4/5 · US Video messages: Video messages work very poorly, they lag, freeze, and sometimes Telegram even crashes. · translated
  16. [R77] 5/5 · US Question: Hello, why is the front camera's smoothness for video messages so good on iPhone during low power mode, but very choppy when not using the front camera? And also without low power mode, the front camera's frequency worsens, while the non-front camera's frequency is better? · translated
  17. [R7] 1/5 · US SCAMMERS PLAYGROUND: You would get contacted by a bunch of random offering you money etc. they’re all scammers
  18. [R10] 1/5 · US Scammer: Too many scammers peoples
  19. [R11] 1/5 · US DO NOT USE! Privacy Settings Are A Lie!: I regret installing this garbage app more than anything else ever. It's a trojan horse! It's a Spam platform. I've been getting garbage and criminal spam since I made the mistake of putting my phone number on this app. The "privacy" settings are a total lie. How these scum got my phone number? This scummy app! This should be criminal!
  20. [R221] 3/5 · US Weird: You’ll get a lot of bots messaging you about corn links and also this is an EXTREMELY private place which leads to illegal content that I myself haven’t witnessed but just saying, use this with discretion
  21. [R42] 3/5 · US Has potential but is a buggy mess: Two longstanding bugs make this app downright unusable. 1. is that airpods announced messages are repeated over and over if not actioned. This is not how it works for other messaging apps btw. 2. is that autocorrect suggestions are auto-accepted on send but somehow the user input gets interspersed into the completion. Also not the case for other messaging apps. I
  22. [R21] 3/5 · US Search bar ain’t working: I tried to use the the global search it doesn’t work anymore
  23. [R26] 1/5 · US Notifications: Empty notifications keep coming endlessly, even if airplane mode is on. Meanwhile, the phone gets very hot. · translated
  24. [R35] 3/5 · US Notifications: When will stable notifications be restored?... · translated
  25. [R92] 5/5 · US I need to log in with email: It would be better if the app allowed sign-up using both email and phone number, because I don't have a phone number but I want to download the app. Could you please add a feature to the app that allows creating an account on an iPad using a QR code, as well as options for using a phone number or email? I use an iPad and need to set up an account on it. Please get bac
  26. [R119] 3/5 · US How to register: I can't register · translated
  27. [R34] 2/5 · US Can’t receive phone code: The app was good but once I deleted and downloaded again and I can’t receive the code to login ? Why

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store