9 Best Telegram Alternatives For Android (India)

Telegram is actively serving close to a billion users around the world. And out of this crowd, 100 million users are located in India only.

But then again, big crowds don’t cover every need. Maybe you’re looking for a sharper video or a dedicated app with a video caller ID. 

There are numerous instances when you may want to consider a Telegram alternative for your Android smartphone.

The good news is that Android has plenty of free options. We narrowed our research to 9 apps that fill Telegram’s biggest gaps for Indian users. Let’s start.

Quick Glance Comparison

App	Android reach*	Privacy default	Signature edge
FaceCall	100 K+ installs, 4.6★ on 4.7K reviews	TLS now; full E2E app	Video Caller ID before the ring
Snapchat	900M monthly users worldwide, 250 M in India	Chats auto-erase	AR lenses + 60-seat video
Google Messages (RCS)	1B RCS texts per day in the US alone	Google-server encryption	Rich chat built into SMS
Instagram Direct	392M Indian users on Instagram	Vanish mode	Reels + shopping inside chat
imo	200M users in 170 countries	End-to-end on calls	Works on 2G, tiny APK
JioChat	50M+ downloads on Play Store	AES-256	Local stickers, brand channels
Threema	12M paying users, Swiss-hosted	End-to-end	No SIM, one-time fee
Jami	Open-source peer-to-peer network	End-to-end	No servers, zero metadata
Kik	15M monthly actives, 300 M sign-ups	TLS, username only	Teen-friendly explore groups

*MAU = monthly active users. Counts are rounded to the nearest meaningful figure from company disclosures or third-party estimates (Statista, Data.ai, SimilarWeb).

1. FaceCall

FaceCall is built for coaches, tutors, and solo founders who pitch face-to-face. 

Its headline, Video Caller ID, plays a 20-second intro clip before the other person answers, turning a cold ring into a warm handshake. 

The Android app weighs just 12 MB, offers Hindi onboarding, and has cleared 100,000 installs with a 4.6-star score. One-to-many streams reach 4K and host 10,000 viewers; group rooms seat 100. 

What makes it special: When you call someone, a 20-second video greeting plays first. Think of it as a quick “hello” video that shows your face and brand before the person even picks up.

Why it fits India: The download is only 12 MB, the setup screens appear in Hindi, and more than 100,000 people already use it. Ratings sit at 4.6★ on Google Play.

Big numbers: You can stream to 10,000 viewers at once or run group calls with up to 100 people, all in sharp 4K video.

Features

• Video Caller ID
• 4K streams
• 100-seat group calls
• Screen share & recording
• Hindi UI
• Auto-translate feature for all calls 
• Avatar and video templates

Pros

• Easy signup
• Video Caller ID
• Call Previews
• Smooth HD on mid-tier 4G

Cons

1. No desktop client yet

2. Snapchat

Snapchat has grown far beyond disappearing selfies. 

The 2025 update shows around 900 million monthly users worldwide, and industry trackers put Indian users at around 250 million. 

The draw is speed: photos load fast on patchy 4G, and every chat deletes itself once opened, so storage never bursts. You can pull up to 60 friends into a video call and spice it with AR masks that work in Hindi, Tamil, and five other local languages. 

If you need a playful space where messages clean up after themselves, Snapchat fills that gap Telegram leaves open.

Features

• AR lenses
• Auto-delete chats
• 60-person video rooms
• Hindi & regional UIs
• Bitmoji avatars

Pros

• Light on storage; no old chats to clear
• Fun filters that run on basic data packs
• Indian language support keeps onboarding easy

Cons

• No desktop version
• Business tools cost extra

3. Google Messages (RCS)

If you use an Android phone, the blue-bubble Google Messages app is already there. RCS upgrades old SMS with typing dots, read receipts, Wi-Fi sending, and sharp photos without the need for a new account. 

Google says U.S. users alone send one billion RCS texts a day, and India is catching up fast as carriers flip the switch. 

A 2025 patch also added a 15-minute “undo send” feature. Encryption occurs on Google’s servers, so it’s not as locked down as Signal, but it’s significantly better than plain SMS for everyday communication.

Features

• Single SMS + RCS inbox
• Wi-Fi chat
• Typing/read receipts
• 15-minute unsend
• High-quality photos and video

Pros

• Pre-installed and free – no signup fuss
• Fixes blurry group texts and big file fails
• Works with your existing number on any carrier

Cons

• Full end-to-end only inside Android circles
• iPhone friends still show green bubbles until iOS adds RCS
  

4. Instagram Direct

India is Instagram’s second-largest market, with roughly 386 million users, so chances are your friends are already there.

Direct messages sit one swipe from the photo feed. You can send reels, voice notes, or hop on an 8-person video call without needing a phone number. 

There’s also a Vanish Mode that makes texts disappear when the chat closes. Small shops love the built-in pay links and product tags that let buyers check out right inside the chat. 

If your social life is on Instagram, Direct messaging keeps things simple without needing an extra app.

Features

• 8-seat video calls
• Vanish Mode auto-delete
• In-chat pay links
• Group polls
• Hindi stickers

Pros

• Easy jump from reel to private chat
• Handy shopping links for small sellers

Cons

• Encryption is optional, not the default
• Heavy battery use on older phones
• Old text-app UI

5. imo

imo is the go-to app when data is scarce. 

The app has over 200 million users across 170 countries. Its video codec keeps calls stable on 2G speeds that many rural areas still see. 

The main download is 35 MB, but imo Lite shrinks to 9 MB for budget phones. 

End-to-end encryption protects voice and video, and sticker sets come in Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil, making chats feel local. 

If Telegram gobbles too much data where you live, imo is a light swap.

Features

• 2 G-friendly video calls
• imo Lite is a 9 MB app
• End-to-end voice/video
• 50-seat group calls
• Low-data mode
• Regional sticker packs

Pros

• Runs on weak networks without stutter
• Tiny install size for low-storage phones
• Local language stickers keep chats fun

Cons

• Home-screen ads feel busy
• The design looks dated

6. JioChat

Made by Reliance, JioChat has crossed 50 million Play Store downloads. 

It mirrors WhatsApp basics, text, voice, and 5GB file sends, but also adds India-only perks.

This includes IPL stickers, Bollywood filters, and brand channels that push flash sales. 

Video stays smooth on Jio’s 4G and new 5G, yet the app works fine on any carrier. Calls use AES-256 encryption, and the “Switch HD” button boosts quality when bandwidth allows. 

For users who want a home-grown messenger with local flair, JioChat fits.

Features

• Voice & video calls
• 5 GB file share
• Brand offer channels
• Hindi, Tamil, Telugu UIs
• Group video (50 people)

Pros

• Local content and deals feel relevant
• Works best on Jio SIM, but not locked to it
• Big file limit beats many global apps

Cons

• Smaller contact pool than WhatsApp
• English UI is less polished than rivals

7. Threema

Threema trades free-for-ads for a one-time fee (about ₹350). 

Pay once, and you get Swiss-hosted servers, end-to-end encryption, and no need to link a SIM or email. 

Over 12 million people have bought in, along with police forces in Germany and schools in Europe. 

Your ID is a random code you can share by QR, keeping your phone number private. For users who want “buy it and forget it” security, Threema is hard to beat.

Features

• No-SIM signup
• Swiss data centers
• Encrypted voice/video
• Polls inside chats
• File vault (2 GB)
• Private groups (256 members)

Pros

• No ads, trackers, or data resale
• One payment—no monthly bills
• Phone number stays private

Cons

• Friends must also pay to join
• Smaller user base in India

8. Jami

Jami is a fully decentralised messenger without any servers, cloud, or anything that collects important data.

It only features direct encrypted links between devices. That means zero metadata for snoops to grab.

The app is open source and free forever, but call quality depends on both sides’ bandwidth, so big group videos can lag. 

Still, for tech-savvy users who hate central servers, Jami offers true peer-to-peer privacy.

Features

• Server-free messaging
• End-to-end everything
• Unlimited accounts
• File transfer (no size cap)
• HD voice codec

Pros

• No central point to hack or shut down
• Completely free, no ads
• Source code open for audits

Cons

• The setup feels geeky compared to WhatsApp
• Video can stutter on slow links
  

9. Kik

Kik skips phone numbers entirely.

All you have to do is create a username and jump in. It still sees about 15 million active users each month and lists over 300 million sign-ups. 

Teens love the public “Explore” groups on K-pop, anime, and fitness. Direct video is one-to-one, but you can swap photos and voice notes without revealing your identity. 

Safety has improved with auto-image scans and link blocks as well.

Features

• Username-only signup
• Explore group search
• One-to-one video
• Stickers & GIF keyboard
• Poll bot

Pros

• No phone or email required
• Easy to join interest-based groups
• Light, playful interface

Cons

• Not built for large video calls
• Ads appear in the chat list
  

How to Choose the Best Alternative to Telegram For Android?

One of the best ways to find a suitable Telegram alternative for Android is to understand what you need in the first place.

If it’s a face-forward first impression with prospecting, coaching, and sales, FaceCall is the obvious pick. Its video greeting and 4K rooms build trust before the talk starts. 

It’s Video Caller ID and one-to-many broadcast room give consultants and creators a way to stand out before the call even starts, something Telegram and most rivals still lack. 

In most scenarios, FaceCall delivers the quickest win with the least compromise.

And what better way to equip yourself with these features than by trying the app?

Download FaceCall now and experience the real power of an original and authentic video caller ID.