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MAX vs Telegram Desktop: catalog facts
MAX	Telegram Desktop
Free Free to use, including calls.	Freemium Free to use. Telegram Premium is an optional subscription for larger uploads, faster…
Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Calls without limits on time or participants Built to work on weak connections and slow devices	Official client with published source and build instructions Cloud chats sync instantly across every device you sign in on
Proprietary, with no published information on end-to-end encryption Interface and website are Russian-language	Ordinary chats are not end-to-end encrypted and Telegram holds the keys Secret chats are not available in the desktop client
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License: Proprietary	License: GPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is needed	Account needed
Needs internet	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.