Best for Facebook contacts
Messenger vs Telegram vs Viber: which messaging app should you choose?
Messenger suits people already connected on Facebook, Telegram fits users who value cloud syncing and file sharing, and Viber is a strong pick for international calls and privacy-focused chats.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MessengerMeta Platforms, Inc. | 4.7 out of 5114,813,598 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.05 - $7,999.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 TelegramTelegram FZ-LLC | 3.8 out of 517,343,583 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.31 - $289.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Mature 17+ |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
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How we compared them
Messenger, Telegram, and Rakuten Viber are free communication apps for messaging and staying in touch across devices. All have more than a billion Google Play installs, but they differ in audience, privacy approach, calling features, and their Google Play ratings.
This comparison weighs their Google Play figures, declared data safety details, and practical strengths and trade-offs to help you choose the app that fits your contacts and priorities.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings and install counts, free pricing, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status shown on November 7, 2026. These figures indicate reach and user feedback, but they do not establish which app will work best for every person.
We also compared each app's messaging, calling, file-sharing, and customization strengths and trade-offs, alongside the data safety declarations on Google Play. Those declarations say Messenger shares certain identifiers and contact details, Telegram shares no data with third parties, and Viber emphasizes privacy and encryption; all three declare that data is encrypted in transit.
Messenger
Meta Platforms, Inc.
4.7 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forkeeping up with Facebook friends
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 114,813,598
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Messenger is the natural choice if your social circle is already on Facebook: its contact integration makes it easy to reach friends, and it combines chat with voice and video calls. Its 4.7 Google Play rating, from 114,813,598 ratings, is the highest of these three apps.
The trade-off is its Facebook-account requirement and a broader declared data footprint: Google Play says it shares name, email address, user IDs, phone number, and device IDs, and collects several other categories. Battery use and occasional delivery delays are also reported drawbacks.
What we like
Facebook contact integrationVoice and video calls4.7 rating from 114,813,598 ratings
What to know
Requires a Facebook accountDeclares sharing several identifier and contact categories
Telegram
Telegram FZ-LLC
3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forsharing large files across synced devices
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 17,343,583
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Mature 17+
Telegram combines cloud syncing across devices with file sharing up to 2 GB, giving it an edge over Messenger and Viber for moving large files between chats and devices. Its focus on speed and security, customizable features, and declaration that it shares no data with third parties will appeal to users who prioritize those qualities.
Its 3.8 Google Play rating is the lowest of the three, and some features can take technical know-how. Telegram also has a Mature 17+ content rating, while Viber and Messenger offer stronger emphasis on voice and video calling in the comparison.
What we like
File sharing up to 2 GBCloud sync across multiple devicesDeclares no third-party data sharing
What to know
Lowest Google Play rating of the threeSome features require technical know-how
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best formaking international voice and video calls
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 16,690,539
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Teen
Viber puts voice and video calls, group messaging, and communities together, with a strong focus on privacy and encryption. Its cross-platform support and stickers and GIFs make it a well-rounded option for people who want expressive chats alongside calls.
It has a 4.1 Google Play rating and contains ads, unlike Messenger and Telegram. Media sharing can be data-heavy, and occasional notification delays may frustrate people who need messages to arrive promptly.
What we like
High-quality voice and video callsPrivacy and encryption focusChats, groups, and communities
What to know
Contains adsMedia sharing can be data-heavy
Which one should you pick?
Best for large file sharing
Telegram
Best for calls and communities
Rakuten Viber Messenger
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
Messenger has the highest rating of the three at 4.7 from 114,813,598 ratings. Viber is rated 4.1 and Telegram 3.8.
Which app is best for sharing large files?
Telegram supports file sharing up to 2 GB and syncs chats across multiple devices, making it the clearest fit for large files.
Which app declares that it shares no data with third parties?
Telegram's Google Play data safety declaration says it shares no data with third parties. Its declaration also lists data it collects and says data is encrypted in transit.
Which app is best for voice and video calls?
Viber is a strong choice for calling, with high-quality voice and video calls among its stated strengths. Messenger also supports voice and video calls.
Appgk 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 and prices are shown for reference and can change.