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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

KakaoTalk vs Telegram Messenger

KakaoTalk 4.3★ · Free to download 75
Winner KakaoTalk
Telegram Messenger 4.0★ · Free + IAP 60

KakaoTalk is superior for those communicating with friends and family in Korea, offering reliable messaging and customization, while Telegram Messenger is a better choice for general global messaging, despite its recent issues with bugs and security concerns.

Full reviews: KakaoTalk · Telegram Messenger

KakaoTalk is highly favored for its reliability and customization options, especially for connecting with people in Korea, though recent updates have introduced ads and login issues for some international users. Telegram Messenger, while praised for its general messaging capabilities, faces criticism for bugs, security concerns, and issues with its premium features.

Head to head

Features edge: KakaoTalkR9R12R15R24
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users appreciate its customization options, including themes and stickers, and its utility for long-distance communication R9. However, some users wish for more themes, an auto-translate feature, and video messages R9R12. There's also frustration with the lack of certain features available in the Korean version for international users, like search and music profiles . Recent updates have added an Instagram-like feed, which many users dislike R15R24.
Telegram Messenger Telegram Messenger is praised for its general messaging capabilities and being a good alternative to other apps . However, users report issues with specific features, such as the inability to 'Select All' messages in a chat , problems with stories for non-premium users R82, and a disliked camera swipe feature . Some users also note a limited set of stickers compared to other apps .
Ease of Use & Reliability tieR1R2R4R6
KakaoTalk Many KakaoTalk users find it easy to use and reliable for communication, especially with family and friends R2. However, a significant number of international users report severe login and verification issues, particularly for non-Korean phone numbers R1R4R6R7. Recent updates have also caused problems like deleted chat rooms, backup errors, and accounts being disabled or blocked without clear reasons R4R48. Some users also experience notification delays and app lag with many messages .
Telegram Messenger Telegram Messenger is generally considered user-friendly . However, recent updates have introduced numerous bugs, including black screens on opening , phone overheating , and issues with the search bar not working . Users also report problems with notifications , autocorrect , and difficulties uploading large files on iPhone . Some users also face login issues and verification code problems .
Price/Value & Ads tieR3R17R18R25
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk is free to download and use, and many users appreciate its free calling capabilities R17. However, a significant and growing complaint is the proliferation of intrusive ads, including banner ads and ads disguised as DMs, which negatively impact the user experience R3R17R18R25.
Telegram Messenger Telegram Messenger is free to download, but users report being asked for payment to access their accounts after logging out R63R120. Some former premium users are disappointed that they can no longer post stories while others can, and find the process of selling NFTs problematic R82. There are also complaints about ads appearing in news articles and a general upselling of premium features .
Privacy & Security edge: KakaoTalkR43R48R54R57
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users express concerns about account security, with some experiencing their accounts being disabled or blocked without explanation R48R54R57. There are also issues with not being able to change email addresses R43.
Telegram Messenger Telegram Messenger faces strong criticism regarding privacy and security. Users report issues with scams, fraud, and bots R64R85. Several users claim the app accesses contacts without permission, notifying them of the app download, even when access is denied R76. There are also reports of accounts being hacked and the 'Delete Account' feature being non-functional R73. Some users are concerned about inappropriate content, including child exploitation material, despite the 13+ age rating .
Support tieR1R4R10R24
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users report difficulties with support, especially concerning login and verification issues for international users R1R4R10. Some users feel that the developers do not understand user requirements R24.
Telegram Messenger Telegram Messenger users express significant dissatisfaction with customer support, reporting no response whatsoever from various channels . Some users even claim their number was blocked when support couldn't help .
Pick KakaoTalk if

You primarily communicate with friends and family in Korea and value customization and reliable messaging for that specific audience R2R9.

Pick Telegram Messenger if

You need a general-purpose messaging app for a global audience and are willing to overlook recent bugs and privacy concerns for its broad functionality .

Evidence note: KakaoTalk's reviews are heavily skewed by issues affecting international users trying to connect with the Korean ecosystem, leading to many 1-star ratings despite positive experiences from long-term users R1R4R7. Telegram Messenger's recent reviews show a strong negative trend due to bugs, security concerns, and issues with premium features, despite its higher lifetime rating R64R73.

Frequently asked

Are there ads in KakaoTalk?
Yes, KakaoTalk has introduced numerous ads, including banner ads and ads that appear disguised as direct messages, which many users find intrusive and negatively impact the user experience R3R18R25R46.
Does KakaoTalk work well for non-Korean users?
While some non-Korean users have used KakaoTalk successfully for years to communicate with friends and family R2R9, many recent reviews indicate significant issues with login, phone number verification, and account access for users outside of Korea R1R4R7R10.
Is Telegram Messenger secure and private?
Many users express strong concerns about Telegram Messenger's security and privacy, reporting issues with scams, fraud, bots, and the app accessing contacts without explicit permission R64R76R85. Some users also claim the 'Delete Account' feature is non-functional R73.
Why are Telegram Messenger users complaining about payment?
Some Telegram Messenger users report being asked for payment to access their accounts after logging out, which they find ridiculous as the app was previously free R63R120. There are also complaints from former premium users about changes to features like posting stories R82.

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. [R9] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Great for online messaging: I love Kakao been using it for years to communicate with my long distance friends. Just wish they had more themes to download but overall it’s a great app. Highly recommend for anyone that has long distance relationships they want to stay in contact with.
  2. [R12] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Auto Translate: Please add auto translate feature.
  3. [R15] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Please, please, please get rid of this Instagram-like feed. Please, I beg you. · translated
  4. [R24] KakaoTalk 3/5 · GB Disappointing: I’m using KakaoTalk for 12 years now but after the so-called interface update it has lost so much. It was not an upgrade but a downgrade. It’s not fun anymore and it has lost its charm and uniqueness. Some programmers seem to have no understanding of the users requirements and likes. Why taking another program (instagram) as a sample? Please put it back to the brilliant app it was.
  5. [R1] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Can’t talk to my friends: I have verified my phone number multiple times and they just won't let me use the app. Maybe it's because I'm an American? I'm not sure but I can't log in or use my account to talk to my friends
  6. [R2] KakaoTalk 5/5 · US Umma: Love these for talking to parents
  7. [R4] KakaoTalk 2/5 · US New update is terrible: Update deleted all chat rooms and temporary back up kept coming as an error. Then it says the account is expired and asks you to start over. When you choose to restore back up it doesn’t do anything. Terrible update. All my memories are lost. They don’t allow non Korean numbers to have a cloud for back up that’s so ridiculous when they are aware many foreigners use this app
  8. [R6] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Constantly requires verification. Too much clutter in the interface. Always a problem logging in. · translated
  9. [R3] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US STOP WITH RANDOM ADS: I wish there was an English option great app but WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ADS???? And why can’t I block them?!?!
  10. [R17] KakaoTalk 5/5 · US Used everywhere: Living in the US, it's convenient for free calls, urgent matters, sending photos, etc. But there are too many ads lately... · translated
  11. [R18] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Now with ads: Oh lord… kakao with ads. I hate it. Leave us alone!
  12. [R25] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Really, hiding ads as DM?: I don’t know who approved it. But it’s crazy that they inject ads into your DMs but make it look like someone messaged you. Kakao already takes up 1/3 of the DM space for their banner ads. But this is a new level of invasive ads placements. Better to just delete the app and move to another platform.
  13. [R43] KakaoTalk 2/5 · US Buggy app: Such a buggy app. I’ve been seeing an issue for months and months where a contact’s profile keeps showing the wrong name! And interestingly, the wrong name has been applied to multiple contacts. PLEASE fix this. Additionally I’ve never used a service where you couldn’t change your email address. What a joke!
  14. [R48] KakaoTalk 3/5 · GB It’s good but has its faults: I was logged out of my account for no reason only to find that when I tried to log back in my account had been disabled! I tried to resolve it in every way possible but I couldn’t and I can’t make a new account either because it’s registered with my phone number. The good parts of the app was the theme and custom design function for the chats among other things.
  15. [R54] KakaoTalk 3/5 · GB Bugs.: I love the app and speaking Korean with friends, however it keeps disabling my account and telling me I cannot join open chats or message others first due to security setting, even though everything I’ve said was in the guide lines. Please help so I don’t have to uninstall 🥺
  16. [R57] KakaoTalk 3/5 · GB Blocked: I’m so confused this apps nice for talking with people but I haven’t even done anything and they blocked me it’s been 3 hours and I’m still blocked. Can you unblock my acoustic so I can’t talk with my friends please. It’s annoying me.
  17. [R10] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Can’t log in: It keeps trying to send an international message for authorization, and it miserably fails.
  18. [R46] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Too many Ads: Sold their soul to the devil , and now the app is riddled with Ads.
  19. [R7] KakaoTalk 2/5 · US I think the global kakaotalk kinda need to get improve: I try to join communities of my fav Kpop artists but it always show me the message that I need a Korean phone and I don’t have one, like what do you expect someone from outside Korea to get a phone number in Korea when they don’t even live there I hope kakao talk can improve this.
  20. [R64] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Bad: A breeding ground for easy deception, fraud and theft
  21. [R73] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Telegram = data criminals: The "Delete Account" feature is nonfunctional, meaning Telegram is disrespectful, unprofessional, and in violation of several laws. Here's the one-star review y'all earned.
  22. [R76] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Invasive Trash!!!: Piece of *insert expletive here* app put all of my contact info free and clear with access to my contacts for a scammer to get ahold of. Even after hopping through all the hoops to tell it “NO DON’T DO THAT!!!” If I could give this thing a negative star rating I would nuke it. Shame on Apple for allowing such a breach of security in an app on their store.
  23. [R85] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Full of scammers and bots. Not secure: All scammers and bots . Can’t trust any body or anything on here. Not safe. Just like all of these apps NOT SECURE OR SAFE!
  24. [R63] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · US Payment: Why can’t I get into my account after logging out? It’s asking for payment why?
  25. [R82] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Not happy with the updates: It's very strange that former premium users can't post stories, but others can. This is very upsetting, and I don't want to buy it anymore. It's also problematic to sell NFTs. You have to wait a long time after purchase to sell them. · translated
  26. [R120] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · GB Hi the apps good and all but: Hi the app is good snd all but I was able to log into my account then when I re-download telegram it didnt let me log into my account??? It says Theres a fee now which is rediculous because it wasn’t here like a week ago

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