Telegram Reaches 1 Billion Users, Founder Outpaces WhatsApp
- Jakarta - Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced that the messaging application now boasts one billion active users.
- Telegram's user base has seen substantial growth, climbing from 950 million monthly active users in July 2024.
- He stated, In front of us stands WhatsApp - a cheap and irrelevant imitation of Telegram.
Telegram Achieves Milestone: 1 Billion Users, Founder Durov Criticizes WhatsApp
Table of Contents
- Telegram Achieves Milestone: 1 Billion Users, Founder Durov Criticizes WhatsApp
- Telegram’s Meteoric Rise: Q&A on It’s 1 Billion User Milestone and Beyond
- What is the latest user count for Telegram?
- What is Pavel Durov’s opinion of WhatsApp?
- What were Pavel Durov’s specific criticisms of WhatsApp?
- How does Telegram compare to WhatsApp in terms of market share?
- Is telegram a profitable company?
- How engaged are Telegram users?
- Who are Telegram’s main competitors?
- What legal challenges has Pavel Durov faced?
- Table: Telegram vs. WhatsApp
- Conclusion
Jakarta – Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced that the messaging application now boasts one billion active users. Alongside this milestone, Durov directed pointed remarks towards its primary competitor, WhatsApp.
Telegram’s User Base Soars
Telegram’s user base has seen substantial growth, climbing from 950 million monthly active users in July 2024. This surge positions Telegram as the second-largest messaging application globally, trailing only WhatsApp. Durov shared some critical views regarding the Meta-owned application.
Durov’s Critique of WhatsApp
Durov didn’t hold back in his assessment of WhatsApp. He stated, In front of us stands WhatsApp – a cheap and irrelevant imitation of Telegram.
This statement was made in a post on his personal Telegram channel on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
“In front of us stands WhatsApp – a cheap and irrelevant imitation of Telegram.”
He further elaborated on his perspective, highlighting Telegram’s self-reliant growth and innovation.
“for years they have been desperately trying to imitate our innovations while spending billions of dollars on lobbying and PR campaigns to slow us down. They failed. Telegram grew, became a profitable company, and - unlike our competitors – maintained its independence.”
Engagement and Profitability
Durov also noted increased user engagement on Telegram. On average, users open the application 21 times daily and spend 41 minutes on the messaging platform each day.
Telegram reported a profit of USD 547 million in 2024. Durov had previously announced Telegram’s profitability in December but did not disclose specific figures at that time.
Competition in the Messaging App Market
While WhatsApp remains the leading messaging application with over two billion monthly active users,both applications are vying for the attention of businesses and creators through features like business accounts and channels.
Besides WhatsApp, Telegram also competes with WeChat, which had 1.3 billion active users as of 2024. However, the majority of WeChat users are located in China.
Legal Challenges
Durov is currently under investigation in France regarding allegations of facilitating criminal activities on Telegram, including fraud, illegal transactions, and the distribution of child pornography.
He was detained for several days in August 2024 before being released on USD 5.6 million bail.Initially barred from leaving France, the restriction was temporarily lifted from March 15 to April 7, allowing Durov to return to his residence in Dubai.
Key Takeaways
- Telegram now has 1 billion active users.
- Pavel Durov criticizes WhatsApp,calling it a “cheap imitation.”
- Telegram reported a profit of $547 million in 2024.
- Durov faced legal challenges in France but has returned to Dubai.
Telegram’s Meteoric Rise: Q&A on It’s 1 Billion User Milestone and Beyond
Telegram has recently achieved a significant milestone,reaching 1 billion active users. This achievement has been accompanied by notable comments from its founder, Pavel Durov, notably regarding its competitor, WhatsApp. This Q&A delves into Telegram’s success, Durov’s perspectives, and what it means for the messaging app market.
What is the latest user count for Telegram?
Telegram now boasts 1 billion active users. This significant user base positions Telegram as the second-largest messaging submission globally, trailing only WhatsApp. The platform has seen dramatic growth, increasing from 950 million monthly active users in July 2024.
What is Pavel Durov’s opinion of WhatsApp?
Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, has been outspoken in his critique of WhatsApp. He has described WhatsApp as, “a cheap and irrelevant imitation of Telegram.” Durov’s view reflects his perspective on Telegram’s independent innovation and growth compared to WhatsApp’s perceived imitation of Telegram’s innovations. His comments highlight the ongoing competition in the messaging app market.
What were Pavel Durov’s specific criticisms of WhatsApp?
Durov’s primary criticism of WhatsApp is that it attempts to duplicate Telegram’s innovations. He stated that WhatsApp has been “desperately trying to imitate our (Telegram’s) innovations while spending billions of dollars on lobbying and PR campaigns to slow us down.” He contrasts this with Telegram’s “self-reliant growth” and its ability to become a profitable company and maintain independence.
While Telegram has a significant user base of 1 billion, WhatsApp still leads the messaging app market with over two billion monthly active users. Telegram is the second-largest app globally, trailing only WhatsApp.
Is telegram a profitable company?
Yes, Telegram reported a profit of USD 547 million in 2024. Durov previously announced Telegram’s profitability in December, but did not disclose specific figures.
How engaged are Telegram users?
On average, Telegram users open the application 21 times daily and spend 41 minutes on the platform each day. This high level of engagement indicates the key role Telegram plays in its users’ daily routines.
Who are Telegram’s main competitors?
Besides WhatsApp, Telegram also competes with other messaging applications like WeChat, wich had 1.3 billion active users as of 2024. However, the majority of WeChat users are located in China.
What legal challenges has Pavel Durov faced?
Durov is currently under investigation in France regarding allegations of facilitating criminal activities on Telegram, including fraud, illegal transactions, and the distribution of child pornography. He was detained for several days in August 2024 and released on USD 5.6 million bail. He was initially barred from leaving France, but the restriction was temporarily lifted from March 15 to April 7, 2025, allowing him to return to his residence in Dubai.
Table: Telegram vs. WhatsApp
| Feature | Telegram | WhatsApp |
|————————|—————————|—————————|
| Active Users (2025) | 1 billion | Over 2 billion |
| Founder’s Opinion | Critical of WhatsApp | N/A |
| 2024 Profit | USD 547 million | N/A |
| User engagement | 21 times daily, 41 min/day | N/A |
| Key focus | Innovation, independence | Market Dominance |
Conclusion
Telegram’s recent user growth and Durov’s pointed criticisms of WhatsApp highlight the dynamic competition in the messaging app market. The future will reveal whether Telegram can continue its growth and further challenge WhatsApp’s dominance.