Telegram vs WhatsApp Business: Which Platform for Your Business?
Compare Telegram and WhatsApp Business on features, cost, reach, and automation. Discover which messaging platform fits your business communication.
Telegram
Open messaging platform with free Bot API, channels, groups up to 200,000 members, and rich bot functionality for business use.
WhatsApp Business
Meta's business messaging platform with business profiles, catalogs, quick replies, and the paid Business API for automation.
Comparison table
| Feature | Telegram | WhatsApp Business |
|---|---|---|
| Bot API costs | Completely free | Business API paid per conversation |
| Global reach | Growing — popular in tech/business circles | Dominant — 2+ billion users worldwide |
| Groups/Channels | Groups up to 200K members, unlimited channels | Broadcast lists (max 256), Communities |
| Automation | Extensive — Bot API with webhooks and inline | Limited in app, extensive via Business API |
| File limits | Up to 2 GB per file | Up to 100 MB per file |
Verdict
WhatsApp Business has the largest reach and is the trusted channel for consumers. Telegram offers more functionality, free bots, and larger groups. For maximum impact, use both: WhatsApp for reach and Telegram for functionality.
Our recommendation
OpenClaw Installeren connects your AI assistant to both Telegram and WhatsApp. Start with Telegram for free, rich bot functionality. Add WhatsApp Business when you want to reach a broader audience. One AI assistant, multiple channels — that's the power of OpenClaw.
Frequently asked questions
Related articles
WhatsApp Bot vs Telegram Bot: Which Channel for Your Chatbot?
Compare WhatsApp and Telegram as chatbot channels on reach, API capabilities, cost, and business use. Discover which messaging platform fits best.
Telegram Bot vs Discord Bot: Which Platform for Your Chatbot?
Compare Telegram and Discord as chatbot platforms on API capabilities, audience, features, and integrations. Discover which platform best fits your bot.
Discord Bots vs Slack Bots: Which Platform for Your Team Bot?
Compare Discord and Slack as platforms for team bots on features, audience, and integrations. Discover which platform fits your AI assistant.
What is a Telegram Bot? - Definition & Meaning
Learn what a Telegram bot is, how the Telegram Bot API works, and why Telegram is a popular platform for deploying AI chatbots and automated assistants.