How to Develop Apps Like Telegram That Stand Out in the Market

So, You Want to Build the Next Telegram? Great, let’s talk. Why? Because you’ve landed at the perfect blog! Now, we’ve all used messaging apps. Actually, we use them daily. Telegram alone is the 7^th most downloaded app on both iOS and Android platforms.

Why Telegram? Well, let’s be honest, not all of them stick. Telegram is just so sleek and secure. It works insanely fast and has features you didn’t even know you needed! It’s not just another chat app, but it’s a full-on communication ecosystem.

Now, here’s the golden question: how do you create an app like Telegram… but better? One that doesn’t just blend into the sea of chat apps, but actually makes people switch over?

So, maybe you’re just a tech enthusiast curious about what makes Telegram tick. After all, it is a big question. What exactly is the secret behind Telegram? If you want to learn this right before you develop a telegram-like app of your own, you’re in the right place.

In this post, we’re breaking down the essential features and the tech stack to help your app stand out in a flooded market. So, let’s dive in:

Why Build a Chat App Like Telegram?

To begin with, we need to understand that messaging isn’t just about texting casually anymore. Think about all the connections we’ve built by texting with our friends and family. It’s about speed and privacy. We can’t just give anyone access to them.

See, Telegram didn’t become a household name overnight. It actually stood out by offering what other apps couldn’t. This includes powerful encryption and cloud-based messaging.

It allows for massive group chats and has bots and channels. Despite all this, it has such a straightforward user interface. It literally sparkles. When it came out, Telegram entirely redefined what a messaging app had the potential to be.

Now, imagine taking that same blueprint and making it your own. This isn’t copying or cheating in any way. It’s about improving and learning. Here’s why jumping into this space makes total sense:

• Massive Demand: The global messaging app market is literally booming. Billions of users rely on these platforms daily for chatting and learning. For some, it’s even related to work and building communities.
• Room for Innovation: Users constantly look for fresh features, even with giants like WhatsApp and Telegram. They want better privacy or a smoother User Experience. There’s still plenty of room to disrupt.
• Monetization Potential: There are several ways to turn your chat app into a revenue stream., Just think about it, from premium features to subscriptions and in-app ads.
• You Set the Rules: Want your app to be hyper-local or community-focused? Guess what! It’s all up to you! You can easily customize it to a niche and dominate that corner of the market.

Long story short: building a Telegram-inspired app isn’t just ambitious, it’s strategic. And with the right approach, yours could be the next big thing lighting up phones around the world. Just keep in mind that it will take time and effort. There is no success with rushing things in software.

What are the Key Features of Telegram?

Telegram had over 1 billion monthly users in March 2025. But it didn’t just gain these users overnight. It certainly didn’t happen just by being another messaging app.

It actually became a powerhouse by doing everything a little smarter and faster. This naturally made it cooler than the rest. However, if you’re building an app inspired by Telegram, you need to begin by understanding its standout features.

Just keep in mind that Telegram is one of the biggest messaging apps out there. So, the goal isn’t to compare. It is to get inspired. Let’s break it down:

• Cloud-Based Messaging: Telegram has introduced no more “storage full” errors. This is because it stores messages and media documents on the cloud. This also makes it accessible across devices without taking up unnecessary space.
• End-to-End Encryption: When you want to develop chat apps, you should know that security becomes a huge selling point. Telegram’s Secret Chats feature offers full end-to-end encryption. It even has self-destruct timers and does not allow message forwarding.
• Groups & Supergroups: Telegram offers support for up to 200,000 members per group. That is HUGE. It is ideal for large communities. It also provides several sub-features here that help keep order in the chaos.
• Channels for Broadcasting: Think of Channels as one-way communication platforms for broadcasting messages to unlimited audiences. This serves to be great for businesses and influencers.
• Bots & API Integrations: Telegram’s bot API is a developer’s playground. Bots extend the app’s functionality in endless ways.

Telegram’s messaging app development isn’t so simple. It has done a lot to get to the point where it is today. If you understand this, you can do a lot for your app.

What are the Essential Features You need for Your Messaging App?

So, you’re ready to introduce the world to your own chat app. That’s an excellent plan. But what exactly should it include from day one? That’s the bigger question.

Telegram-level complexity is the long game, literally. The best way for you to pave the way is to begin with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This way, you’ll be able to refine your product until you deliver a solid, user-friendly experience.

But that’s just a tip. This is just if you want to test your messaging app with a lighter version before launch. To develop chat apps, you just need to make sure you have something that stands out. Here are the must-have features every successful messaging app inspired by Telegram should start with:

1. Audio/Video Call

Texting is great, but sometimes you just need to talk. Talking here actually means talking. You might just want to catch up with a friend or have a quick work meeting. Or maybe, you want to share a moment face-to-face. But there’s distance… So, what will you go for? You’ll go for built-in audio and video calls. Hence, make sure you add this to complete your messaging app.

Here are the must-have elements you’ll need for your apps like Telegram.

• One-on-one audio and video calling
• High-quality, low-latency streams (adaptive to network strength)
• End-to-end encrypted calls

2. Live messaging

Of course, your messaging app won’t be a messaging app without this feature. When it comes to these apps, speed is everything. Users expect messages to be sent and delivered quickly. They even hope they’ll be seen in real time without any lag. They want natural, dynamic interactions, almost like having a face-to-face conversation.

Here’s what you should prioritize:

• Live message delivery and read receipts
• Online/offline presence status
• Message reactions and quick replies

3. Cloud Syncing

Remember when we used to lose our messages when we switched devices? That one used to be heartbreaking for many. This isn’t the case with cloud-syncing. It makes sure users can pick up right where they left off. No matter if they log in to a new device. Cloud-Syncing is an awesome feature that ensures a consistent and reliable experience.

Your app should allow users to:

• Automatically backup and sync of messages, media, and files
• Instant access to chats from any device
• Encrypted cloud storage for security and privacy

4. Huge Groups

Think big here. Modern messaging apps aren’t just for chatting with a few friends. People are here for virtual communities. They want to host thousands of people in one place. Apps like Telegram should have large group chats. These can be perfect for schools and remote teams. They could even be great for gaming clans and entire organizations.

Here’s what your groups should be able to do:

• Support for thousands or more users in a single group
• Admin controls
• Searchable message history

5. Chatbots

Imagine a messaging app that talks back, not just through people. It’s awesome, isn’t it? What if this could be your messaging app? It can be possible through the magic of an API and chatbots. Chatbots take your app to the next level by answering questions and even offering entertainment. Bots basically add depth and functionality that users love.

Here is what you will need:

• Easy chatbot integration via an open API or a bot-building framework
• Support for automated replies, commands, and custom triggers
• Access to group chats (with proper permissions)

6. Security Features

Users aren’t just asking for privacy, they’re demanding it. Security is no longer a luxury; it’s a core expectation in every messaging app. Yet, 50% of apps with five to ten million downloads have security flaws. So, having strong security features for your apps, like Telegram, is a good idea. It will build trust and set your app apart from the rest.

Here’s what you’ll need for that:

• End-to-End Encryption
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
• Passcode/biometric app lock

7. Push Notifications

None of us likes to miss a message. That’s where smart push notifications come into play. Notifications keep users engaged and in the loop. It could be a new message or a missed call. These timely alerts will make your app feel alive and responsive. This is even when it’s not open.

The notifications should be like this:

• Real-time alerts for messages, calls, mentions, and replies
• Customizable notification settings
• Silent notifications for less intrusive updates

What are the steps to build your Telegram-like App?

Building apps like Telegram may sound like a dream project. Yet turning that dream into a reality requires only a clear plan. It’s not just about adding chat boxes and sending emojis. There’s a lot behind the scenes.

This starts with a whole set of features, technologies, and strategic decisions. They’ll go into creating an app that people will actually want to use. Let’s look at the steps:

Step 1: Define Your Requirements

Coding and designing are fun, we get it. But before writing a single line of code, you need to understand what you’re building. You need to know why pretty clearly.

This step helps you prepare for everything that will follow. So firstly, don’t rush it. Think about your app’s purpose and the unique value you want to bring to the table.

Ask yourself (and your team):

• Who is your target audience?
• What are your must-have features?
• What platforms will your app support?

Step 2: Design the System Architecture

Once you have a plan, it’s time to figure out how everything will work. So, this is where the system architecture will enter. It is the backbone of your messaging app. This is what defines how data flows. It will handle how your app will grow as user demand grows. It’s about delivering speed and reliability every time someone opens the app.

Key components of your system architecture should include:

• Client-Side (Frontend)
• Server-Side (Backend)
• Database & Storage

Step 3: Map out the user flow and UI

This part could be fun, but you need to pay attention to this. The user flow needs to be clear and easily navigable. An intuitive user interface helps users feel confident. This is because they’re actually able to figure things out on their own. You can use tools like Figma to create prototypes and visualize your user experience.

You should guarantee these things:

• Your UI should be clear and easy to navigate
• The screen should be responsive
• There shouldn’t be too many steps in the user journey

Step 4: Begin the development process

You have been careful so far. Now, apps like Telegram aren’t ones to take lightly. You need to make sure that you’re careful about bugs. In fact, you also need to deliver strong security and cloud syncing features. You need to have skilled developers by your side. You’ll find more info on the technology stack options below.

These are the things you have to make sure of:

• Set Up User Authentication
• Build the Live Chat Functionality
• Implement Media Sharing

Step 5: Test Your App

This is a step that many skip. It’s the reason why they fail. Businesses lose $61 billion per year…  This happens globally, and it’s only due to software bugs and glitches. Software quality assurance is important. So, no matter how tight your timeline is, don’t skip testing for your apps like Telegram. It’s an important aspect of the app development process.

Here are some tests you shouldn’t skip:

• Usability testing
• Performance testing
• Unit testing

Step 6: Deploy and Scale

Finally… After constant iterations and testing, your app development process is complete. Now comes the time for the last step. Deployment. This is when you’ll finally launch your product. You’ll have to keep in mind that apps grow. So, you need to be prepared for scaling. Messaging apps can become popular very quickly.

Here’s what you need to add in your apps like Telegram:

• Monitoring and Logging Tools
• Cloud Hosting and CDN Integration
• Load Balancing and Auto-Scaling

How to develop a messaging app can be simpler than you know. You just need to take things one by one. Don’t let them overwhelm you. Just follow these steps and take things slowly. Don’t rush things.

How do you choose the right technology stack to build an app like Telegram?

Choosing the right tech stack is genuinely like choosing an engine for your car. It powers everything. Your tech stack needs to do some serious work for high-performing and secure messaging apps like Telegram.

But this is not just about picking the most popular tools. It’s about choosing the right combination. It should fit into your app’s goals and features.

Frontend (Client-Side)

Here are the programming languages that will work for the Frontend side:

• Flutter: It is cross-platform and performs fast. You’ll get an expressive UI.
• React Native: Here, you’ll get a reusable codebase for Android/iOS.
• Swift (iOS) / Kotlin (Android): You’ll get native performance if you’re building separately
• Redux or Bloc: It’s perfect for state management in larger apps

Backend (Server-Side)

Here’s what will help you with a smooth backend of your app:

• js: This one is lightweight. It is also ideal for real-time communication
• Elixir + Phoenix: They’re excellent for handling massive concurrent connections
• Go (Golang): High performance and low memory usage
• Python: Clean and scalable for MVPs

Database

Your app needs a reliable and scalable system to store chats, etc. Here are some options for that

• PostgreSQL: Strong relational DB. It is great for structured data
• MongoDB: NoSQL but great for flexible schemas
• Redis: In-memory DB. It is perfect for caching and speeding up message delivery
• Cassandra: Good for massive amounts of distributed chat data

File & Media Storage

You’ll need a system to manage everything users will be sharing efficiently. Here’s what you’ll need for that:

• Amazon S3: This is scalable and secure
• Google Cloud Storage: High performance and reliable
• Firebase Storage: Easy to integrate. It is also good for mobile-first projects
• Content Delivery Network (CDN): Like Cloudflare or AWS CloudFront to speed up global file access

Scalability & Performance

If you want your app to grow without falling apart under pressure. These are the scalability tools and services that will help:

• Docker + Kubernetes: Containerization and orchestration for easy scaling
• NGINX or HAProxy: Load balancers to manage traffic
• AWS/GCP/Azure: Elastic cloud infrastructure
• Monitoring: Use tools like Prometheus and Sentry for performance insights

These aren’t the only options that could go into your tech stack. However, we’ve chosen the best ones. They’re perfect for apps like Telegram. The more powerful your tech stack is, the more unstoppable your app will be.

Build Your Telegram-like app with Linkitsoft!

If you’re here, you’ve obviously skimmed through our blog. You even know about the complex technology stacks that go into messaging app development. They’re not easy, but they’re not impossible either.

How to develop a messaging app is actually tricky; we won’t sugarcoat it. As a tech company that specializes in custom software development, Linkitsoft knows and understands those struggles. But we know that with a team of skilled developers, anything is possible.

Although it isn’t easy to become a competitor to Telegram, you can still do a lot. People are constantly looking for messaging apps that give better features and more security. You have the potential to be a blessing for them.

You just need a reliable team by your side. It should have all the necessary skills that go into messaging app development. Our app development company is here to provide you with just that! We’ll collaborate with you and make sure your messaging app stands out in the soaring market.

Let’s wrap it up

Developing apps like Telegram are set on a path to success. Let’s see how our app development company can help you here:

• We specialize in building complex and feature-rich messaging platforms. The best part? We focus on doing what you want.
• Our developers understand how messaging tech stacks work. They know how it works from live communication to high-level security protocols.
• We work closely with you through every phase. We begin by listening and ideation, and stay with you through deployment and post-launch support.
• We prioritize privacy-first features to develop chat apps. We aim to deliver smooth app performance, helping your app gain user trust and retention.
• Think of us not just as developers and designers. Imagine us as your growth partners in launching a standout messaging app.

Apps like Telegram have the potential to do a lot. So, let Linkitsoft be your partner and ensure an intuitive user interface. We’ll guarantee that your app doesn’t crash and stays bug-free all the time. Let’s connect today and begin developing.