messaging
Telegram vs WhatsApp
WhatsApp started first, in 2009, 4 years before Telegram.
Why Telegram lasted
- Channels, bots, and huge groups made it infrastructure for places WhatsApp is a family chat.
- Durov as a walking opposition brand is a distribution channel, for better and worse.
Why WhatsApp lasted
- It is the SMS of half the planet. Network effects at that scale do not care about your new app.
- Facebook bought it and was not allowed to fully melt it into Facebook. The brand stayed the brand.
Questions
Which is older, Telegram or WhatsApp?
WhatsApp started first, in 2009, 4 years before Telegram.
How long has WhatsApp been running?
WhatsApp has been up 17 years 205 days, since 2009-02-24.
How long has Telegram been running?
Telegram has been up 13 years 34 days, since 2013-08-14.
More messaging comparisons
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Dates are founding dates from the written entries. Play which is older, or see the oldest messaging still running.