Telegram vs Marco Polo
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Telegram is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.5. Telegram wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Marco Polo on 1.
Communities, creators and power users who want channels, bots and multi-device sync
Families and long-distance friends who want face-to-face moments without calls
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Telegram | Marco Polo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Messaging & Calls | Messaging & Calls |
| Category rank | #2 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Developer | Telegram FZ-LLC | Joya Communications |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | — |
| Windows | ✓ | — |
| Linux | ✓ | — |
| Web | ✓ | — |
Common questions
Is Telegram better than Marco Polo?
Telegram is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.5. Telegram wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Marco Polo on 1.
Which is cheaper, Telegram or Marco Polo?
Telegram: Free; Telegram Premium is optional, $35.99/year on the App Store. Marco Polo: Free; Marco Polo Plus is $79.99 a year, or $159.99 for a six-person family plan. On value for money, Telegram scores higher.
Do Telegram and Marco Polo work on the same devices?
Only Telegram runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web.
Which is more private, Telegram or Marco Polo?
Marco Polo scores higher on privacy (8.2/10). Marco Polo says it shows no ads and never sells your data. App Store label: contact info, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you. No tracking.
Strengths and weaknesses
Telegram
- Instant sync across phone, desktop and web
- Channels and huge groups suit communities and creators
- Generous free tier with large file sharing
- Regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted
- Spam and scams are common in public groups
Telegram is the most feature-packed messenger around. Chats sync instantly across every device, groups can grow enormous, and channels, bots, mini apps and the new Communities turn it into a platform. The apps are quick and polished. The catch is privacy: regular chats live on Telegram's servers and are not end-to-end encrypted unless you start a one-on-one secret chat. Great for communities, not for secrets.
Full Telegram review
Marco Polo
- Feels more personal than texting
- Free, ad-free and unlimited chats
- Works across time zones and busy schedules
- Unlimited storage and HD need Plus
- Video replies take longer than a text
Marco Polo is a video walkie-talkie for the people you love. Record a quick video and they watch live if they're free or reply later if they're not, so grandparents, far-flung friends and busy families stay close without scheduling calls. There are no likes, feeds or ads. The free app covers unlimited chats, while Plus adds HD, playback speed controls and unlimited storage. In September 2026 it launched Circles, which matches women into small friendship groups.
Full Marco Polo review
