Telegram vs Viber

May 08, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s super-fast, simple, secure and free. Telegram seamlessly syncs across all of your devices and can be used on desktops, tablets and phones alike. You can send an unlimited amount of messages, photos, videos and files of any type (.doc, .zip, .pdf, etc.). Telegram groups have up to 200 people and you can send broadcasts to up to 100 contacts at a time. Be sure to check our website for a list of Telegram apps for all platforms.
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Viber
Viber is a mobile app that provides free international calls and text messages to other Viber users using 3G or Wi-Fi. Uses your existing contact list - check out which of your phone contacts and friends is already on Viber so that you can call and text them for free.
Telegram and Viber are both popular messaging apps that offer similar features but have some significant differences. Telegram is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and security, with end-to-end encryption being the default setting for all conversations. It also offers a range of features like secret chats, self-destructing messages, and the ability to create groups with up to 200,000 members. On the other hand, Viber is more focused on social networking and offers additional features like voice and video calling, sticker market, games, and public chats. Viber also has end-to-end encryption but it's not enabled by default.

See also: Top 10 Business Messaging platforms
Telegram vs Viber in our news:

2022. Messaging app Viber launches Payments - a new digital wallet



Viber, the messaging app owned by the Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, is introducing Payments on Viber, a new service that enables users to establish digital wallets linked to their Viber accounts. These Payments wallets can be connected to other bank accounts, as well as Visa and Mastercard, allowing users to make bill payments, purchase goods, and transfer money to other individuals. The initial launch of this service will focus on peer-to-peer transfers, which will be free of charge. However, there may be associated fees for services like payments to businesses. The service is initially rolling out in Germany and Greece, with plans to expand across Europe and eventually to Viber's broad global presence in 180 countries, spanning this year and the next.


2022. Telegram is now offering a Premium subscription



Telegram is introducing a Premium subscription to leverage its significant growth. Priced at $5 per month, Telegram Premium offers a range of additional features alongside the existing free functionalities. Subscribers can now enjoy the ability to upload larger files, with a size limit of up to 4GB, as well as accelerated file downloads. Furthermore, the subscription doubles various limits within the app, such as the ability to follow up to 1,000 channels, create 20 chat folders with 200 chats each, pin 10 chats, save 10 favorite stickers, and add a fourth account to the app. Premium users also gain access to exclusive stickers, including those with full-screen animations, unique reaction emojis, premium badges, and voice-to-text conversation capabilities.


2021. Telegram added group video chat and screen-sharing



Telegram has introduced a new feature that allows users to engage in video chats with up to 30 people. This functionality is integrated into the Voice Chat feature of the app. When initiating a voice chat room, you will now notice a camera icon, which, when tapped, enables your video feed. Similar to other video conferencing applications like Zoom and Google Meet, Telegram allows you to expand the video to fullscreen and pin a specific participant to the center of the call. This ensures that the focus remains on the pinned individual even when others join the chat. Furthermore, Telegram now supports screen sharing. While on a video call, you have the flexibility to switch between your camera feed and the content displayed on your screen or even show both simultaneously.


2020. Viber launches group video calls for 20 users


Viber introduces its latest feature, the Group Video Calls, catering to the needs of large meetings and online classes. This new functionality allows for group video calls with a maximum of 20 participants and no time limit. Viber has already gained significant popularity with its Group Audio Calls, accommodating up to 20 individuals, and group chats, supporting up to 250 people. Given the current circumstances, Viber has expanded its capabilities by incorporating video communication. During Group Video Calls, the speaker is visible to all participants; however, users have the option to pin any video to their screen, whether it's their own or another participant's. Moreover, users can mute themselves or disable their video stream, as well as determine if other participants have activated the mute or video-off settings.


2019. Telegram now allows to kill chat history



Telegram has introduced a new feature that enables users to delete messages in one-to-one and/or group private chats retrospectively, extending beyond their own inbox. With this feature, users have the ability to selectively delete their own messages as well as messages sent by others in the chat. To delete a message from both ends, users simply need to tap on the message, choose the 'delete' option, and then they are presented with two choices: 'delete for [the name of the other person in the chat or 'everyone']' or 'delete for me'. Opting for the former option removes the message across all devices, while the latter option only removes it from the user's own inbox. This feature grants users greater control over their conversations and ensures privacy and discretion when needed.


2018. Telegram’s new widget lets businesses connect with users



Messaging app Telegram has introduced a new web login widget feature. This functionality enables website owners, particularly business owners, to establish a direct connection with Telegram users through a Telegram bot integrated into their site. By combining the bot with the web plugin, businesses can leverage this system to send reminders, sales confirmations, updates, and other relevant information directly to customers via chat. It's worth noting that Facebook launched a similar plugin last year, enabling businesses to connect with users through Messenger. Additionally, Facebook is developing business-focused applications that allow companies to tap into its vast monthly userbase of 1.5 billion, with upcoming payment features on the horizon as well.


2017. Viber acquired shopping keyboard startup Chatter Commerce



Earlier this year, messaging app Viber ventured into shopping services with its Instant Shopping feature, enabling users to search for items available for purchase directly within the app's interface. In a strategic move to compete with alternative platforms, Viber has recently acquired Chatter Commerce, the startup that played a significant role in developing this feature. This acquisition positions Viber to enhance its shopping capabilities. Speculations suggest that even Amazon is working on a consumer-centric messaging app. Additionally, Facebook has been expanding Messenger beyond basic chat, incorporating transactional features, bots, and other services. This highlights a notable trend among messaging apps, leveraging their existing user engagement to drive business growth through various avenues.


2017. Viber introduced secret chats with self-destructing messages



Viber has released an update for its iOS and Android versions, introducing the highly anticipated feature of "Secret Chats" to the service. Following in the footsteps of Snapchat, Facebook, Telegram, and other platforms, Viber now allows its users to set timers on their messages, resulting in self-destruction after a specified duration. Additionally, this new feature notifies the sender if the recipient takes a screenshot, a functionality initially popularized by Snapchat. Viber appears to be emphasizing its commitment to security by showcasing these features, setting itself apart from other messaging platforms. The introduction of end-to-end encryption and hidden chats last year further solidified Viber's dedication to privacy and security.


2017. Viber adds e-commerce feature



Messaging app Viber, owned by e-commerce company Rakuten, aims to capitalize on e-commerce while avoiding intrusive advertising. Viber plans to introduce a new feature where users can explore items for sale related to their current chat by tapping on a small shopping bag icon at the bottom of the screen and conducting a search. The initial launch of this feature will take place in the U.S. on March 6, with plans to expand to other markets later. Users will not be able to make purchases directly within Viber; instead, they will be redirected to the relevant page in the respective brand's app via a deeplink.


2017. Telegram adds unsend feature



The popular messaging app Telegram has introduced a new feature called "unsend," allowing users to retrieve or delete messages within a two-day timeframe after sending them. In a similar move, the secure messenger Signal also recently incorporated an ephemeral messaging feature back in October, primarily focusing on maintaining tidiness rather than emphasizing privacy. Telegram's unsend functionality is applicable to both one-to-one and group messaging scenarios but must be utilized within the 48-hour window. The intention behind this feature is to provide users with a way to address "morning after messaging regret" by enabling them to erase content they wish they had never expressed.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com