Viber and Telegram stand out as two prominent contenders, each offering robust features tailored to diverse user needs. As of 2025, with over a billion users each, the question of how Viber compares to Telegram is more relevant than ever, especially for those seeking alternatives to dominant apps like WhatsApp. This comprehensive Viber vs Telegram comparison delves into their similarities and differences across key areas such as security, functionality, and user experience. Whether you’re evaluating for privacy, group collaboration, or seamless calls, understanding these distinctions can guide your choice toward the optimal tool for your digital workflow.
User Base and Global Popularity
The foundation of any messaging app’s appeal lies in its reach and adoption. Telegram boasts approximately 1 billion monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide as of 2025, marking it as the fourth most popular messaging platform globally. Its growth trajectory is impressive, adding around 2.5 million new users daily, fueled by its emphasis on speed, privacy, and expansive features like channels and bots. Telegram’s user base is notably diverse, with strong penetration in Asia—where nearly 45% of India’s population engages regularly—alongside solid footholds in Europe and Latin America. However, its adoption in the United States remains modest at about 9% of the population, reflecting a preference for native solutions like iMessage.
Viber, rebranded as Rakuten Viber following its acquisition, also claims over 1 billion registered users, though its MAU figures hover closer to 300-400 million, concentrated in specific regions. It enjoys dominance in Eastern Europe, with over 20% of users from Ukraine and Russia, and extends its influence to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. In contrast to Telegram’s broad international appeal, Viber’s footprint is more niche, making it a go-to for users in these areas who prioritize integrated calling features.
In terms of differences between Viber and Telegram, Telegram’s faster expansion and even distribution position it as a more versatile global tool, ideal for cross-border teams. Viber, however, fosters deeper loyalty in its core markets through localized content and partnerships. For businesses targeting regional audiences, this disparity influences marketing strategies and feature utilization.
Security and Privacy: A Core Differentiator
Security remains paramount in messaging apps, and here, the Telegram vs Viber security debate reveals nuanced trade-offs. Viber implements end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default across all one-on-one and group chats since 2016, ensuring that messages are inaccessible to servers post-delivery. This approach simplifies privacy for everyday users, complemented by features like self-destructing messages (starting at 10 seconds), screenshot prohibitions, and two-factor authentication. Viber’s lock icons visually confirm encrypted status, and it supports biometric app locking. However, its data practices include collecting IP addresses, location, and demographics for targeted ads, with opt-out options available but not default.
Telegram, conversely, employs server-client encryption for standard chats, storing encrypted data on its cloud servers to enable seamless multi-device syncing—a boon for users juggling phones, desktops, and tablets. True E2EE is reserved for “Secret Chats,” which users must manually activate and are limited to one-on-one interactions without group or channel support. Telegram shines in anonymity, allowing users to hide phone numbers via usernames and granular privacy controls for profile visibility, last seen status, and forwards. It collects minimal data—no ads in personal chats—and avoids selling user information, aligning with its founder-driven ethos.
Both apps incorporate disappearing messages and PIN-protected hidden chats, but Telegram’s optional ultra-secure mode appeals to privacy advocates, while Viber’s automatic E2EE suits those wary of manual configurations. In 2025 rankings of secure messaging apps, Telegram often edges out due to its open-source elements and resistance to government data requests, though Viber’s default encryption earns praise for accessibility. For professionals handling sensitive information, such as journalists or executives, Telegram’s flexibility may prevail, whereas Viber’s simplicity benefits casual users.
Core Messaging Capabilities
At their essence, both Viber and Telegram excel in text-based communication, supporting rich media like photos, videos, voice notes, stickers, GIFs, and reactions. Editing, deleting, forwarding, and quoting messages are standard, alongside scheduled sends and polls for engagement.
Viber emphasizes a playful, user-friendly interface with an expansive sticker store, including free and paid packs that users can customize from personal photos. Its GIF maker and in-app games add levity to conversations, making it ideal for family groups or social circles. Telegram counters with animated stickers, video stickers, and customizable themes, but its strength lies in scalability—unlimited cloud storage prevents data loss across devices.
A key difference in Viber vs Telegram messaging is file handling: Telegram permits up to 2 GB uploads per file for free users (4 GB with Premium), without automatic compression, transforming it into a de facto file-sharing service. Viber compresses media to conserve bandwidth, with options for original quality, but caps are lower, suiting lighter sharing needs. For content creators or remote workers exchanging large documents, Telegram’s capacity is a clear advantage.
Voice and Video Calling: Reliability Meets Scale
Originating as a VoIP service, Viber prioritizes calling excellence. Its voice and video calls deliver HD quality with end-to-end encryption for one-on-one sessions, excelling in low-bandwidth scenarios due to adaptive compression. Features like call screening, emojis during calls, and short video messages enhance interactivity. Viber Out extends this to paid calls on landlines or non-users at competitive international rates, a unique perk absent in Telegram.
Telegram’s calls are reliable and encrypted in transit, supporting group voice chats for thousands (e.g., live streams) and video for up to 30 participants, with others joining audio-only. While improving, Telegram may falter on unstable connections compared to Viber’s optimized audio clarity.
In practical applications, Viber suits frequent international callers, such as expatriates maintaining family ties, while Telegram’s large-group capabilities benefit podcasters or virtual events. To explore further integrations, consider Viber compare to WhatsApp features, which highlights calling synergies.
Group and Community Features
Collaboration thrives on group dynamics, where Telegram and Viber diverge significantly. Telegram supports supergroups of up to 200,000 members and unlimited-subscriber channels for one-way broadcasts, akin to social media feeds for news or updates. These foster vibrant communities, from hobbyist forums to brand broadcasts, with admin tools for moderation.
Viber’s Communities mirror this with unlimited members, blending broadcasting and interaction—perfect for local events or resident associations. However, they lack Telegram’s scale and global ecosystem.
For teams, Telegram’s folder organization and pinned messages streamline workflows, whereas Viber’s straightforward setup appeals to smaller circles. In 2025, Telegram’s channels have integrated AI moderation bots, enhancing safety in large groups.
Advanced Tools: Bots and Integrations
Telegram’s bot ecosystem, exceeding 10 million active bots, is a standout, enabling automation for polls, games, e-commerce, and news feeds via its open API. This turns chats into mini-apps, revolutionizing uses like customer support or educational quizzes.
Viber supports bots for payments and shopping but on a smaller scale, focusing on business messaging. To leverage these, users can maximize the latest features of Viber mobile app, including bot-driven personalization.
Telegram’s depth empowers developers and enterprises, while Viber’s tools suffice for basic integrations.
Pricing and Monetization Models
Both platforms offer core services for free, with no limits on messages or calls. Telegram sustains via optional Premium ($5/month), unlocking faster downloads, exclusive stickers, and advanced chat management—boasting 15 million subscribers in 2025. Ads appear only in large public channels, non-targeted and disableable.
Viber relies on display ads (banners, promoted content) and Viber Out credits, with revenue from stickers and business tools. This model may introduce occasional spam, though ad-free experiences are possible via settings.
For budget-conscious users, Telegram’s ad-light approach feels premium, but Viber’s credits enable broader calling. Detailed breakdowns are available on comparison sites like Capterra’s Telegram vs Viber review.
Pros and Cons: A Balanced View
Telegram Pros: Expansive features, superior anonymity, unlimited cloud sync, bot versatility, rapid updates. Cons: Non-default E2EE, potential feature overload for novices.
Viber Pros: Default encryption, stellar call quality, intuitive stickers, Viber Out. Cons: Ad intrusions, regional limitations, manual backups.
These balance makes Telegram ideal for tech enthusiasts, Viber for call-centric users.
Latest Trends in 2025
2025 sees both apps advancing AI integration: Telegram’s bots now incorporate generative AI for content creation, while Viber enhances Communities with AR filters for calls. Privacy trends favor Telegram’s minimal data stance amid rising regulations, but Viber’s E2EE defaults align with user simplicity demands. Cross-platform enhancements, like Telegram’s desktop video calls, narrow gaps.
To stay current, download the latest version of Viber for free ensures access to these innovations.
Practical Applications and Use Cases
In professional settings, Telegram’s channels streamline project updates for remote teams, while Viber’s Communities suit local sales networks. Students leverage Telegram bots for study groups; families prefer Viber’s video calls for holidays.
Advantages emerge contextually: Telegram’s file sharing aids freelancers, Viber’s stability supports customer service. Common issues include Telegram’s occasional sync delays (resolved via cache clearing) and Viber’s ad pop-ups (mitigated by premium stickers).
In weighing how Viber compares to Telegram, neither emerges as universally superior—rather, the choice hinges on priorities. Telegram’s feature-rich, privacy-flexible ecosystem suits global, innovative users, while Viber’s secure, call-optimized simplicity appeals to regional, straightforward communicators. As 2025 unfolds with AI-driven enhancements, both continue to evolve, ensuring reliable connectivity. Evaluate based on your needs: for expansive collaboration, opt for Telegram; for effortless calls, choose Viber. Whichever you select, these apps underscore the messaging landscape’s dynamism, empowering users to bridge distances effectively.