Telegram was not the first messaging app to introduce channels; however, it made channels stand out in a unique way. It transformed how people broadcast messages, build communities, and share content. Telegram is one of the leading messaging apps in 2025, with nearly 1 billion active users and over 450 million daily active users. And let me tell you, Telegram is not just another messaging app with basic features; it’s much more than that. So what makes it so special, and why does everyone want to build a native app like Telegram?
What’s unique about Telegram is that it prioritizes privacy more than anything, all thanks to its secure chats and end-to-end encryption. In addition to features like channels, bots, large groups, and file sharing up to 2 GB.
On top of that, it’s a fully cloud-based platform, which allows users to access messages from any device. It natively runs on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and the web. With all these powerful features, it’s no surprise that many people want to build a Telegram-like app.
The Question Is: How to Build a Native App Like Telegram in 2025?
Nowadays, people are not just looking for Telegram alternatives; they want to replicate the whole app with its powerful and unique features as well as its UX.
But Here’s The Problem:
Building a native app like Telegram from scratch with all its features requires hundreds of thousands of dollars, a dedicated technical team of developers, and many months of development. So how can anyone build a Telegram-style app on a budget and without any coding skills?
In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to build a native app like Telegram for under $100 without writing a single line of code using nandbox no-code native app builder. We’ll also cover:
- What Telegram is and why many people want to build an app like it
- What core features make Telegram so successful (and how to replicate them)
- What it actually costs to build a communication app like Telegram in 2025
- How nandbox AI-powered native app builder lets you create your own for less than $100
What Is Telegram, and Why Does Everyone Want to Clone It?
Telegram’s origin story is all about fighting for privacy.
Back in 2013, the two brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, the ones who created Russia’s largest social network, VK (VKontakte), were forced into exile. They were ousted from the company because they refused to hand over VK user data to the Russian government. That’s when the two brothers started working on Telegram with one clear mission: “Protect users’ privacy and data from third parties, including governments.”
So that’s why Telegram was built. It was built to provide private and secure messaging through secret chats and end-to-end encryption. That way, no one, not even governments, can access users’ data.
Telegram was first launched on iOS, then on Android shortly after. Since then, Telegram has been leading the communication platforms, and nowadays, it offers so much more than just secure messaging. That’s why many people want to have their own Telegram-style app.
Why People Want to Build a Native App Like Telegram in 2025:
In 2025, the demand for encrypted messaging apps is higher than ever.
Many organizations and universities want to build platforms with private internal networks. All the media outlets want to share news without facing censorship or governmental pressure as well. And even startups and entrepreneurs want to build their own branded, secure communication apps that users can trust. That’s why creating a Telegram-style native app seems like the perfect solution.
But it’s not just about privacy. Telegram offers powerful features that developers and founders want to replicate, such as
- Scalability: Telegram can handle millions of users per channel, which is ideal for growing communities.
- Security: End-to-end encryption, secret chats, and anonymous logins help protect user data.
- Speed: Telegram is one of the fastest messaging apps available.
- Freedom: No forced monetization and strong censorship resistance.
- Developer-Friendly: It provides open APIs, powerful bot integrations, and no app store review process for bots, so developers can launch them instantly.
What Features Made Telegram Successful, and How to Replicate Them in Your Telegram-Style App?
Now that we have discussed Telegram’s origin and why people want to clone it, let’s find out its core features, how they made Telegram successful, and how you can replicate them using nandbox no-code native app builder.
| Telegram Feature | Why It Matters | Offered in nandbox? | |
| Native Multi-Platform App | Users can access Telegram on multiple devices natively, including iOS and Android. | Yes, nandbox provides native iOS and Android apps without any coding skills. | |
| One-on-One Messaging | Real-time and private communication between users. | Yes, nandbox offers a built-in messenger with secure, real-time messaging features. | |
| Group Chats | Better community communication. | Yes, nandbox offers massive group chats and public groups that can hold more than 50,000 users. | |
| Voice Calls and Video Calls | Secure voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption. | Yes, nandbox offers crystal-clear voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption. | |
| Channels | Great for news, content creators, and communities. | Yes, nandbox offers unlimited channels with unlimited subscribers | |
| Secure Messaging | Secure, end-to-end encrypted private chats. | Yes, nandbox offers private, secure, and end-to-end encrypted chats. | |
| Media Sharing | Users can share photos, videos, voice notes, documents, and files. | Yes, nandbox supports rich media sharing in chats, including photos, files, and videos. | |
| Custom User Roles | Manage permissions and assign roles in both group chats and channels. | Yes, nandbox provides admin roles, group control, channel control, and even moderated public chats are configurable. | |
| Cloud Sync | Users can access their data from any device. | Yes, nandbox apps sync data in real time across devices using cloud-based infrastructure. |
As you can see, all the powerful features that Telegram offers are available in nandbox for both iOS and Android.
The Development Cost of Building an App Like Telegram in 2025
To be honest, building an app like Telegram with all its powerful features and multi-platform availability isn’t cheap at all, especially using the traditional way. Not to mention the amount of time and effort it’s going to take, even with a large team of dedicated developers.
So here’s a breakdown of how much it can cost to build a native app like Telegram in 2025:
| App Type | Features | Development Cost | Timeline |
| Basic Telegram-Style App | Basic features like one-on-one messaging, push notifications, and media sharing | $60,000-$100,000 | 4–6 months |
| Medium Complexity Telegram-Style App | + Channels, groups, admin tools, and cloud sync | $120,000-$250,000 | 6-9 months |
| Complex Full Telegram-Style App | +Voice and video calls, encryption, bots, multi-platform, scalable infrastructure | Starting from $400,000+ | 9-15 months |
And this doesn’t include post-launch costs like testing, bug fixes, scaling, App Store updates, user support, and many more.
Of course this budget isn’t realistic at all for any startups, small businesses, schools, or anyone who wants to build a fully native Telegram-like app on a budget.
So how can you build a native app like Telegram on a budget in 2025?
The good news? With nandbox AI-powered native app builder, you can build a full-featured, 100% native app like Telegram for less than $100. So let’s find out how nandbox makes all that possible.
The Smarter Solution: How You Can Build a Telegram-Like App With nandbox For Under $100
By now, you’ve probably realized how expensive it is to build a native app like Telegram. But with nandbox no-code app builder, you can create an app just like Telegram (and even better) for less than $100 per month.
nandbox is a leading AI-powered no-code app builder that allows anyone to build their dream native iOS and Android apps without writing a single line of code. On top of that, your app will be ready in days, not months, and without spending a quarter million dollars just to launch the app.
So let me tell you how nandbox allows you to build a fully native app in no time and on a budget:
No Code Needed: nandbox allows anyone with zero coding and technical experience to build a fully functional app on their own in no time.
Pre-Made Templates: nandbox offers a diverse library of industry-specific app templates, including a pre-made Telegram clone app template.
Pre-Built Features: You can easily add any pre-built features to your app with just a single tap, such as a built-in messenger, channels, voice calls, video calls, news feed, and many more.
Drag-and-Drop Interface: nandbox offers a drag-and-drop interface, which allows you to add any feature in just a few seconds by just dragging and dropping it into your app interface.
Powerful AI Tools: Can you believe that you can build a fully functional app by simply chatting? nandbox offers powerful AI tools that can build native, full-featured apps in just a few minutes. These AI tools include:
Unique Features That nandbox Offers but Telegram Doesn’t (And Why They Matter)
With nandbox, you’re not just limited to chatting; you can build an app that truly matches your brand, business model, and user experience. So let’s discover some of the unique features nandbox offers that can set your Telegram clone app apart.
1. Full App Branding: nandbox offers white labeling. That way, you can launch under your own brand, customize your app logo, name, features, and many more.
2. In-App Bookings and Calendars: nandbox offers a smart booking system that you can use to add services, appointments, and event scheduling.
3. Built-In Store and Product Catalogs: With nandbox, you can sell products directly inside your app using built-in commerce and shopping features.
4. App Monetization Features: You can easily gain revenue from your app using nandbox monetization features like paid features, ads, or subscriptions.
5. Real Admin Dashboard: You can fully control your app, including users, analytics, modules, and roles.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Build a Telegram-Style App for Under $100 With nandbox
With nandbox, you can build a 100% native, fully functional iOS and Android app that’s ready to launch in just 5 easy steps without any coding.
Step 1. Sign up at nandbox
First, head to nandbox and sign up for your free trial.
Step 2. Choose Template
You can then choose any template you like or the pre-made Telegram clone app template.
Step 3. App Customization
In this step, you can customize your app theme, colors, and even choose the features you want to include in your Telegram clone app.
Step 4. App Preview
nandbox offers a real-time preview, so you can see the changes you made while building the app for both light and dark modes.
Step 5. Build and Publish
Once you finish building your app, you can download it and test it. And congrats, now your app is ready to be published on both the App Store and Google Play Store.
Wrapping Things Up
So, is it really possible to build a native app like Telegram for under $100? Absolutely, and now you know how.
Telegram raised the bar for what a messaging app should look like in 2025. And with nandbox, you don’t just build a Telegram alternative; you build something that’s truly yours. Branded. Powerful. And affordable. If you’re ready to launch your own native app like Telegram, whether it’s for your business, community, or school, nandbox Telegram clone builder makes it possible.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for your free trial, and build your Telegram-style app with your own rules today!
FAQs: How to Build an App Like Telegram in 2025
How much does it cost to build a Telegram-style app?
To build a Telegram-like native app from scratch, it can cost anywhere from $60,000 to over $500,000. But with nandbox, you can build your own secure messaging app for less than $100 per month without any coding skills.
Can I build a Telegram clone app with end-to-end encryption using no-code?
Yes, nandbox supports end-to-end encryption for chats, voice and video calls. While secret chat functionality exactly like Telegram’s may not be available, nandbox provides fully private, encrypted chats that meet the needs of most users and organizations.
How secure is a no-code Telegram-style app built with nandbox?
nandbox takes app security seriously. All apps are hosted on secure, scalable cloud infrastructure, and messaging features are protected by strong encryption. You also have full control over user permissions, content moderation, and access roles.
How scalable is a Telegram-style app built with nandbox?
nandbox apps are hosted on cloud-native, enterprise-grade infrastructure. That means that your app will scale automatically, whether you have 100 users, a million, or even more. With nandbox, your app will perform smoothly without slowing down or requiring any expensive infrastructure updates.
Can I move my Telegram community to my own app?
Yes! Many creators use nandbox to rebuild their communities in their own branded app. You can invite your Telegram followers to download your app using QR codes or links and engage them through channels, chats, and push notifications, all under your control.
