Telegram Bot API vs Discord API: Which API for Your Bot?
Compare the Telegram Bot API and Discord API on features, complexity, cost, and rate limits. Discover which API best fits your chatbot project.
Telegram Bot API
A simple, RESTful API for building bots on Telegram with webhooks, inline keyboards, payments, and file uploads up to 2 GB.
Discord API
A Gateway and REST-based API for Discord bots with slash commands, embeds, voice channels, threads, and extensive permissions.
Comparison table
| Feature | Telegram Bot API | Discord API |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Low — simple webhook-based architecture | Higher — WebSocket gateway + REST combination |
| Cost | Completely free — no limits | Free, but verified bots require verification at >100 servers |
| Real-time updates | Via webhooks or long polling | Via WebSocket gateway — always connected |
| Rich interactions | Inline keyboards, reply keyboards, mini-apps | Slash commands, modals, select menus, buttons, embeds |
| Voice/audio | Not available for bots | Voice channel joining and audio streaming |
Verdict
The Telegram Bot API is simpler and faster to implement. The Discord API is richer in features but more complex. Both are free. Choose based on where your users are and what interaction capabilities you need.
Our recommendation
OpenClaw Installeren integrates with both APIs. The Telegram Bot API is our recommendation for business chatbots due to its simplicity and broader business reach. We add Discord when you want to serve a community.
Frequently asked questions
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