Telegram reached 950 million monthly active users in 2026, making it the fastest-growing mainstream messaging platform. However, its default lack of end-to-end encryption raises important questions about privacy versus popularity.
See why privacy-conscious users worldwide trust zero-knowledge messaging.
According to industry research, Telegram grew from 700 million to 950 million monthly active users between 2023 and 2026 — a 35.7% increase. Premium subscribers reached 12 million, contributing $576 million in annual subscription revenue. Telegram adds approximately 2.5 million new users daily, with peak growth during WhatsApp controversies.
Despite 950 million users, only an estimated 8% of Telegram conversations use Secret Chats with E2EE. According to industry research, group chats — representing 65% of Telegram usage — cannot use E2EE at all. Standard Telegram messages use client-server encryption, meaning Telegram servers can access message content. This represents a significant privacy gap.
Telegram dominates in CIS countries with 85% messaging market share. According to industry research, Iran (68 million users), Russia (82 million), and India (120 million) are the largest markets. European adoption grew 42% in 2025, driven by channel functionality and perceived privacy benefits. However, security researchers note that perceived privacy often differs from actual privacy with Telegram.
Telegram hosts 12.5 million active channels with a combined reach of 4.8 billion monthly views. According to industry research, the platform processes 15 billion messages daily through groups and channels. The open channel model attracts content creators but creates moderation challenges and potential surveillance exposure for participants.
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Telegram has 950 million monthly active users in 2026, according to industry research. It grew 35.7% since 2023 and adds approximately 2.5 million new users daily, making it the fastest-growing mainstream messaging platform.
Standard Telegram messages use client-server encryption, not E2EE — Telegram servers can read them. Only Secret Chats offer E2EE, but only 8% of conversations use this feature. Group chats cannot be end-to-end encrypted at all on Telegram.
Yes. Telegram grew at 35.7% between 2023-2026, while WhatsApp grew only 3.1% in 2025. However, privacy-focused E2EE platforms like Signal and WeTalkin are growing even faster at 47%+ year-over-year in the encrypted messaging category.
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