MyGalaxySide by side
| MyGalaxy | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up | Username and PIN, no phone number | Phone number required |
| Direct chats | Always end-to-end encrypted | Not end-to-end encrypted by default; only Secret Chats, turned on by hand |
| Groups | Always end-to-end encrypted (up to 2,000 members) | Not end-to-end encrypted |
| Channels | Yes (public, not encrypted) | Yes (public, not encrypted) |
| Ads | No ads | Sponsored messages can appear in large public channels |
| Price | Free | Free, with an optional paid plan |
Where Telegram is stronger
- A very large user base, so your contacts are probably already there.
- Very large groups and many bots and mini apps.
- Mature apps on every platform, including iPhone.
Where MyGalaxy is stronger
- No phone number needed to sign up.
- Every direct chat and group is end-to-end encrypted, with no setting to remember.
- No ads and no data selling.
Which should you choose?
If you want private chats and groups without giving a phone number, MyGalaxy is built for that. If you mainly read big public channels, Telegram is the bigger network. Many people use both.
Sources
Facts about other apps were checked on 1 November 2026. Apps change, so please check their own pages too.
- Burner: Telegram requires a phone number to sign up
- Freedom of the Press Foundation: Telegram Secret Chats are 1:1 only and off by default
Try MyGalaxy free
Free download, no ads, no phone number needed. Get it on Google Play or open it in your browser. The iPhone app is coming to the App Store; until then use MyGalaxy in Safari.