Discord vs Telegram: Which One is Better & Safer to Use?
Both services offer similar features with few major differences
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Discord and Telegram are currently the two most popular messaging platforms, but what’s the difference between them and which one should you use? Today we’re going to answer this question.
Discord vs Telegram, which one is better to use?
User interface
Discord’s interface is optimized for desktop PCs, and it lists all your servers in the sidebar on the left. In the same sidebar, there are buttons to explore or create a new server.
Right next to it is your channel or friends panel, allowing you to quickly switch to a specific channel on a server or switch to a different conversation with friends. And lastly, all your communication is on the right side of the application.
Telegram on the other hand has a simplistic interface with all your contacts in the left panel and chat in the right. The design is simple and similar to WhatsApp and other text messaging apps.
Discord’s interface offers access to all of its features, and sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming, so we prefer the more minimalistic design of Telegram.
Features
Discord
Discord is built around online communities so it comes with an advanced ability to manage permissions and roles on each server. Speaking of which, it also supports large servers that can have thousands of users.
Speaking of servers, free users can join up to 100 servers and organize them into folders for quick and easy access. We also have to mention that servers offer various verification methods, so you can restrict users from joining your server unless they have a valid email or phone number.
The service also can screen share, and you can even clip the steams that are currently shared. Of course, thanks to the Discord Developer Portal, there are various bots and integrations you can use.
Telegram
Telegram on the other hand offers a different set of features, but similarly to Discord, it also offers channels, and you can also create groups that are similar to Discord servers.
We also have to mention integration and bots, so you can automate and enhance your channels with ease.
The service allows you to easily delete your message from all your contacts in the first 48 hours of sending a message. It also lets you schedule your messages and send them later. We also have to mention the ability to send silent messages that won’t trigger a notification.
If you want more privacy, there’s a Secret Chat feature that uses end-to-end encryption and isn’t stored on Telegram servers. The chat will also self-destruct, so it’s perfectly hidden.
And lastly, we have to mention the account self-destruct feature that will automatically delete your account if you don’t log in for a certain time thus keeping your privacy safe in case you lose your phone or access to the account.
Discord vs Telegram privacy & security features
One of the biggest complaints of Discord is the lack of end-to-end encryption for chats, and this means that your conversations can be read by third parties or Discord administrators.
On the other hand, Discord voice and video calls are fully encrypted by default. It’s worth mentioning that Discord doesn’t require a phone number to sign up, but some servers might require one if you want to join them.
As for Telegram, it has a similar problem with encryption, and only server-client encryption is available for chats. However, you can use full end-to-end encryption in the Secret Chat feature.
With regular chats, your messages are encrypted during sending, and stored on servers in encrypted format. However, Telegram hasn’t disclosed any user data so far, even after being pressured by various governments.
Is Telegram or Discord safer?
In terms of safety, we’d say that both services offer a similar level of protection. Telegram has better privacy features with its Secret Chat feature and the ability to remove your messages and account.
Why do people use Telegram instead of Discord?
The two apps have different functionalities, and Telegram is a better choice for one-on-one communication while Discord is better if you want to join multiple communities.
Telegram also offers slightly better privacy features than Discord, which makes it a better choice for some users.
Conclusion
When it comes to the Discord vs Telegram debate, it all depends on what you look for in a service. If you are looking for a service that has thousands of communities that you can join and switch between with ease, then Discord is the superior choice.
Discord also became a No. 1 platform for gamers, so if you’re a fan of online multiplayer, Discord is the obvious choice.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a messaging app for one-on-one communication, then Telegram is a better option. It offers advanced chat features and it allows you to schedule your messages, delete them, or even delete your entire account if you don’t log in for a while.
Secret Chat is also a welcome addition that allows you maximum privacy with end-to-end encryption that deletes your chat session after you’re done.
Speaking of Telegram, there’s a browser version called Telegram Web that might come in handy to some users.
If you still haven’t found the right software for you, feel free to check our guide on the best Discord alternatives for more information.
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