Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Telegram Messenger vs Google

Telegram Messenger 4.0★ · Free to download 60
Winner Google
Google 4.6★ · Free to download 75

Google has an edge over Telegram Messenger due to its broader utility and generally more reliable core search functionality, despite some recent user frustrations with AI integration.

Full reviews: Telegram Messenger · Google

Telegram Messenger is a popular messaging app, but recent reviews highlight significant issues with bugs, support, and a shift towards paid features. Google, while facing criticism for AI integration and privacy concerns, remains a highly-rated and essential tool for many users.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: GoogleR6R8R12R17
Telegram Messenger Telegram users appreciate it as a messaging app, with some loving its overall experience R17R29. However, many recent reviews point to issues with specific features like video messages ('кружки') being laggy or accelerated R8, the global search bar not working R6, and problems with autocorrect and AirPods announced messages R12. Some users also dislike the swipe-right camera feature and the absence of a 0.5x camera option .
Google Google is praised for providing quick answers and being a comprehensive tool for research . Users find it easy and practical for finding information . However, recent updates have introduced buggy new features, particularly with AI integration, which users find unhelpful, unresponsive, and sometimes replacing desired search functions R70R98R106R108. Some users also report issues with directions and the disappearance of 'read aloud' functionality and favorite links .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: GoogleR1R9R22R29
Telegram Messenger While some users find Telegram user-friendly R29, many report significant reliability issues. Problems include the app not loading or showing a white screen on iPhones R22, difficulties with login and verification codes R1, and persistent bugs in video messages and the iPadOS version . Notifications are also cited as unstable R9.
Google Google is generally considered easy to use and reliable for its core search function . However, some users find it difficult to sign in R61 and report the app being slow or failing to load searches . There are also complaints about the app constantly asking for sign-in information .
Pricing & Value edge: GoogleR10R13R27R28
Telegram Messenger Telegram is free to download, and some users appreciate features like free SMS . However, a significant number of recent reviews criticize Telegram for increasingly moving features behind a paywall, with users feeling nickel-and-dimed R13R28. Specific complaints include message translation limits, the need to pay for stories R27, and being asked to pay to use the app in certain regions R10R40.
Google Google is free to download and use, and users appreciate its value for research and information . There are no direct complaints about paywalls for core features. However, some users express frustration with excessive ads R72 and feel that unwanted features are pushed on them .
Support & Safety tieR2R7R19R25
Telegram Messenger Telegram's support system receives strong negative feedback, with users reporting blocked numbers instead of help R7 and a lack of transparency regarding account limitations . A major concern is the prevalence of scammers R25R31R34 and inappropriate content, including explicit and illegal material R2. Users feel the app is insecure and a 'scammers playground' R19R25R34.
Google Google users report issues with managing their history and privacy concerns, including tracking information and location R63R72. There are also complaints about the difficulty of logging out of a Google account and the business review system being unfair . Some users feel their data is stolen R61.
Pick Telegram Messenger if

You primarily need a messaging app and are willing to navigate potential bugs and a shift towards premium features, especially if you value its established communication capabilities R17R29.

Pick Google if

You need a powerful and reliable search engine for general information, research, and quick answers, and are comfortable with its ecosystem, despite recent frustrations with AI integration and privacy concerns .

Evidence note: Reviews for Telegram Messenger are heavily skewed towards recent negative experiences, particularly concerning bugs, paywalls, and safety issues, which may not fully reflect its lifetime rating. Google's reviews also show recent negativity regarding AI, but its core search functionality is still widely praised.

Frequently asked

Is Telegram Messenger free to use?
Telegram Messenger is free to download, but many users report that basic features like message translation are now limited or locked behind a paywall, and some are asked to pay to use the app in certain regions R10R13R27R40.
Are there many scammers on Telegram Messenger?
Yes, multiple users report that Telegram Messenger is a 'scammers playground' with many random contacts offering money, and explicit or illegal content being shared R2R25R31R34.
Has Google's AI feature been well-received?
No, many users express frustration with Google's new AI features, finding them buggy, unhelpful, prone to 'hallucinations,' and often replacing desired search functions R70R98R106R108.
Does Google track user information?
Yes, users frequently express concerns about Google tracking their information, location, and showing suggestions based on their searches, which leads to ads and emails R61R63R72.

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. [R6] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · US Search bar ain’t working: I tried to use the the global search it doesn’t work anymore
  2. [R8] Telegram Messenger 5/5 · US What's with the video messages? It's my favorite messenger, but with the latest update, the video messages have really deteriorated. They used to be smooth, but now they seem accelerated, and the front camera zoom is gone. Please fix it 🙏🏻 · translated
  3. [R12] Telegram Messenger 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
  4. [R17] Telegram Messenger 5/5 · US Best for everyone: I’ve been using it since 2016 and it’s been great
  5. [R1] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US TG: It says the app is blocked and asks for a password. I enter it, but it says it's incorrect. How do I get into Telegram? Help me. · translated
  6. [R9] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · US Notifications: When will stable notifications be restored? · translated
  7. [R22] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Doesn’t load onto my phone: Stopped working on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, white screen, that’s all. Then I deleted and have been trying to reload but it does not! Am I the only one? This is the only app that does this!
  8. [R29] Telegram Messenger 5/5 · US Perfect & user friendly: The best messenger ever
  9. [R10] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Why does China charge a fee? · translated
  10. [R13] Telegram Messenger 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
  11. [R27] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · US Story problem: Why my friend is able to post stories every day But im not?? It says you need to make premium
  12. [R28] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US You have ruined Telegram so much, delete it for $0.99: 😡
  13. [R2] Telegram Messenger 4/5 · US Chika Strawberry: The app is good, but the problem is that there are a lot of PDFs and perverts on Telegram, so that's a minus one star (( · translated
  14. [R7] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Support system: I havent seen such terrible support team in a long time. They just blocked my number when couldnt help.
  15. [R19] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Insecure: The most insecure app you could find
  16. [R25] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US SCAMMERS PLAYGROUND: You would get contacted by a bunch of random offering you money etc. they’re all scammers
  17. [R40] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US ??: My telegram isn’t opening cause I’m being asked to pay something I don’t want to.
  18. [R31] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Scammer: Too many scammers peoples
  19. [R34] Telegram Messenger 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. [R70] Google 1/5 · US Your AI sucks: Do you ever find yourself with a question racking your brain that you just have to talk out and do you ever find yourself while talking desperately desiring for the AI you’re talking to to just mute you and stop listening delete the whole conversation you were having and start from the ground up if that’s the case, then Google AI is for you outside of a two sentence question you’ll
  21. [R98] Google 1/5 · US I’m so done with their stupid AI mode: You can’t even search up an image and have text without it, dragging you to the AI mode and then Google becomes unresponsive the hallucinations the AI have make it useless I never find anything useful on Google it’s not even a good company because they do shady stuff I don’t recommend downloading and they’re going to try to hide this
  22. [R106] Google 2/5 · US AI style limits answers: The AI function now just kind of tells you a definitive answer, or product that is “best”. But if you feed it more info it tells you another “best” answer. Why doesn’t it just show the options in the 1st place? It feels targeted to sales. It also doesn’t feel like I am getting a real search function for my options.
  23. [R108] Google 1/5 · US No more ai: .
  24. [R61] Google 2/5 · US Google way: I can’t stand how difficult you make it to sign in and then steal all available information about me you can get your T1000 hands on. Its just absurd and completely violating
  25. [R63] Google 3/5 · US It’s Just Okay!: I prefer a different search engine that doesn’t change the screen if you leave it and come back to it. I also prefer one that doesn’t track your information or location. I also don’t like having suggestions based on something that I looked up because I wasn’t sure what it was.
  26. [R72] Google 3/5 · US Too many ads, privacy cookies and sales of personal data.: Way too much! People forget there are other, safer ways to search. Anytime I google something, it ends up in ads and emails with an hour. Not everyone wants a Gmail account.

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