Best for RCS and Google integration
Google Messages vs Telegram vs WhatsApp: which messaging app should you choose?
Choose Google Messages for RCS and Google integration, Telegram for large groups and customization, or WhatsApp for broad reach and a strong all-round rating.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google MessagesGoogle LLC | 4.2 out of 543,639,166 ratings | Free | No | 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+ |
 WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC | 4.6 out of 5246,492,605 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.40 - $199.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
All three apps are free to download and support messaging across Android and iOS. Google Messages focuses on SMS and RCS, while Telegram emphasizes large groups, bots, and themes; WhatsApp combines messaging with voice and video calls.
The right choice depends on who you need to reach and which features matter most. This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings, costs, stated features, trade-offs, and declared data safety so you can choose a fit.
How we compared them
We compared Google Play ratings and install figures, along with price, in-app purchases, and ad status. Store figures were read on 2026-11-07; ratings and installs can change over time.
We also considered each app’s stated capabilities and the strengths and weaknesses relevant to choosing a messenger. For Telegram and WhatsApp, we include the Google Play data-safety declarations: both say they share no data with third parties, encrypt data in transit, and let users request deletion. The declared collected data differs between the two.
Google Messages
Google LLC4.2 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for Android users who want RCS and Google integration
Google Messages is the clearest choice if you want one app for texts, rich media, and RCS on supported devices. Its Google integration and user-friendly interface make everyday messaging straightforward, and it has the highest install count here, at 10,000,000,000+.
Its RCS features require an internet connection, and the app offers less customization than Telegram. Google Play gives it a 4.2 rating from 43,639,166 ratings; it is free, with no in-app purchases or ads shown in the store figures.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- RCS support for richer messaging
- Google services integration
- 10,000,000,000+ installs
What to know
- Less theme and bot customization than Telegram
- RCS features require internet access
Telegram
Telegram FZ-LLC3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for people who want large groups, bots, and customization
Telegram offers the strongest mix of large-group support, themes, and bots of these three. Its cross-platform synchronization suits people who move between devices, and its focus on speed and security is part of its appeal.
A key privacy distinction is that not all Telegram chats are end-to-end encrypted. It also requires a phone number to sign up, and its 3.8 Google Play rating from 17,343,583 ratings is the lowest of the three. The app is free, with in-app purchases listed.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- Large group chats
- Themes and bots
- Cross-platform synchronization
What to know
- Not all chats are end-to-end encrypted
- Requires a phone number to sign up
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for people who want a familiar messenger for friends and family
WhatsApp is a strong default for everyday messaging, with text, voice, and video calls, multimedia sharing, and end-to-end encryption. Its 4.6 Google Play rating from 246,492,605 ratings is the highest here, and it has 10,000,000,000+ installs.
Signing up requires a phone number, and file-sharing limits and group restrictions may frustrate some users. WhatsApp is free and contains no ads in the store figures, though in-app purchases are listed. Its Google Play data-safety declaration includes contacts, payment information, purchase history, location, diagnostics, and other app and device data among collected categories.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- Highest Google Play rating of the three
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Text, voice, and video calls
What to know
- Requires a phone number to sign up
- File-sharing and group limits
Which one should you pick?
Best for groups and customization
Telegram
Best-rated all-round choice
WhatsApp Messenger
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating here, at 4.6 from 246,492,605 ratings. Google Messages has 4.2, and Telegram has 3.8.
Which is better for privacy: Telegram or WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is the more straightforward choice if you want end-to-end encryption for your chats. Telegram does not end-to-end encrypt all chats, although it offers secure chats. Both apps say their data is encrypted in transit and that users can request deletion.
Do these messaging apps cost money?
All three are free to download. Google Messages has no in-app purchases shown, while Telegram and WhatsApp offer in-app purchases.
Which app is best for large groups and customization?
Telegram is the strongest fit for large group chats, themes, and bots. WhatsApp is a simpler alternative for everyday group messaging, while Google Messages centers on texting and RCS.