Skip to main content
Telegram logo
vs
Threema logo
Try Threema

Telegram vs Threema: The End-to-End Encryption Debate

Discover which messaging app, US-based Telegram or Switzerland's Threema, provides superior privacy through advanced encryption, ensuring your conversations remain confidential.

Last updated: February 2, 2026Reviewed by Built in EU Team

Should You Switch to Threema?

What You Gain

Gain enhanced privacy and data protection with Threema.

Privacy advantage
Trade-offs

Limited group size and fewer automation features compared to Telegram.

Telegram has more features
Bottom Line

Switch if privacy is your priority; stay with Telegram for features.

At a Glance

Data Location
🇺🇸US

US data laws

🇨🇭CH

GDPR protected

Pricing

Telegram

Contact

Threema

freemium

Migration
Medium difficulty~1-2 hours

Privacy & Compliance Comparison

Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance

CriteriaTelegramThreema
Server Location
Global, including US and EUSwitzerland
GDPR Compliance
UnknownFull
Open Source
E2E Encryption
OptionalAll plans
Data Portability
PartialFull export

CLOUD Act Notice

Telegram is a US company and must comply with CLOUD Act data requests, even for data stored in EU data centers. Threema is not subject to US jurisdiction.

Switching from
Telegram logo

Telegram

🇺🇸

Telegram

VS
Switching to
Threema logo

Threema

🇨🇭

Threema

US Data Storage

Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities

EU Data Protection

Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency

Certifications & Compliance

No certifications listed

GDPR Compliant
EU-Based
ISO 27001
Open Source
Self-Hostable
Swiss hosted

Reasons to Switch

  • Threema uses Swiss servers, ensuring strong data privacy protections.
  • No phone number required for registration, enhancing user anonymity.
  • All messages are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring maximum security.
  • Threema is GDPR compliant, aligning with EU data protection laws.

Things to Consider

  • !Limited group size of 256 members compared to Telegram's 200,000.
  • !Migration may require manual transfer of chats and contacts.
  • !Fewer bots and automation options compared to Telegram's extensive offerings.
Migration difficulty:
Medium
~1-2 hours

Migration Overview

Full guide
Difficulty
Medium
Time Estimate
~1-2 hours

Depends on data size and complexity

Quick Steps

1

Create Threema account and configure settings

2

Export and prepare data from Telegram

3

Import data, test integrations, and migrate users

Note: Threema offers strong privacy and security features, making it a solid choice for users focused on data protection.

Other alternatives to Telegram

Ready to make the switch?

Start using Threema today and take control of your data privacy.