MessengerMeta Platforms, Inc.
Google Play4.7 out of 5114,813,598 ratings
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.05 - $7,999.99 per item)
Platforms
Age ratingEveryone
Messenger vs Telegram vs Viber: which messaging app should you choose?
Messenger suits Facebook-connected chats, Telegram appeals to people who want flexible groups and file sharing, and Viber is a strong pick for calls and encrypted everyday conversations.
At a glance
TelegramTelegram FZ-LLC
Google Play3.8 out of 517,343,583 ratings
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.31 - $289.99 per item)
Platforms
Age ratingMature 17+
Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media
Google Play4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item)
Platforms
Age ratingTeen
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
Messenger, Telegram, and Rakuten Viber Messenger are free apps for messaging, calls, and group conversations, and all three have more than a billion Google Play installs. Their differences are in reach, privacy options, customization, calls, and trade-offs such as ads or account requirements.
This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and store details alongside their stated features and data-safety declarations, so you can see which app best matches your priorities.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, rating counts, install ranges, prices, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status read on November 7, 2026. We also considered each app’s communication features and the strengths and drawbacks associated with it, including calling, encryption, group tools, customization, and account requirements.
For privacy context, we included each app’s Google Play data-safety declaration: what it says the app shares or collects, whether data is encrypted in transit, and whether deletion can be requested. These declarations are not a full assessment of security or privacy.
Messenger
Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Google Play
- 4.7 out of 5
- Best for
- Facebook-connected conversations and expressive chats
Messenger has the strongest reach on Google Play, with 5 billion-plus installs and a 4.7 rating from more than 114 million ratings. Its Facebook integration, approachable interface, stickers, and voice and video calls make it a convenient choice for people whose contacts already use Facebook.
The trade-off is that it requires a Facebook account and offers less customization than Telegram. Messenger also has a broad declared collection of data categories, and its notifications and battery demands may bother some users.
What we like
- Highest rating of the three at 4.7
- Facebook integration and familiar interface
- Voice calls, video calls, stickers, and emojis
What to know
- Requires a Facebook account
- Can be intrusive with notifications and battery use
Telegram
Telegram FZ-LLC
- Google Play
- 3.8 out of 5
- Best for
- Customizable chats, large files, and multi-device use
Telegram offers the most flexibility of the three for themes, chat backgrounds, and using multiple devices. It supports file sharing up to 2GB, and its fast, ad-free messaging and large groups make it appealing for active communities and sharing-heavy conversations.
Its 3.8 Google Play rating is the lowest of the three, and privacy needs careful attention: end-to-end encryption applies to secret chats, not every chat, while bots can raise privacy concerns. Its data-safety declaration says it shares no data with third parties but collects several categories, including contacts, location, files, and messages.
What we like
- File sharing up to 2GB
- Themes and chat backgrounds are customizable
- Supports multiple devices simultaneously
What to know
- End-to-end encryption is limited to secret chats
- Lowest Google Play rating of the three at 3.8
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
- Google Play
- 4.1 out of 5
- Best for
- Voice and video calls with encrypted chats
Viber combines voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption for chats and supports group conversations of up to 250 members. It is a well-rounded option for people who want calling, expressive stickers, and multi-device syncing in one app.
Viber is the only app in this comparison that contains ads, which can feel intrusive. It also has a lower rating than Messenger, and its battery use, storage footprint, and limited customization are potential drawbacks.
What we like
- High-quality voice and video calls
- End-to-end encryption for chats
- Group chats support up to 250 members
What to know
- Contains ads that can be intrusive
- Can use significant battery and storage
Which one should you pick?
Best for Facebook-connected chats
Messenger
Best for customization and file sharing
Telegram
Best for calls and group chats
Rakuten Viber Messenger
FAQ's for Communication
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
Messenger leads with a 4.7 rating from 114,813,598 ratings. Viber has 4.1 from 16,690,539 ratings, while Telegram has 3.8 from 17,343,583.
Which app is best for private messaging?
Messenger and Viber offer end-to-end encryption for chats, while Telegram provides it in secret chats rather than every chat. Telegram’s Google Play declaration says it shares no data with third parties; compare each app’s full privacy practices before choosing.
Which app is best for sharing large files?
Telegram is the clearest choice for large-file sharing among these three, with support for files up to 2GB.
Which app is free and does not contain ads?
All three are free to download. Messenger and Telegram do not contain ads; Viber does. Each offers in-app purchases.
About this comparison
FileLocations 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 are shown for reference and can change.