Telegram vs Unigram: Speed, Features, and Security Compared
If you’re using Telegram on a Windows PC, you’ve probably come across two options: the official Telegram Desktop and a slicker, Windows-optimized client called Unigram. At first glance, they look similar — same chats, same channels, same stickers — but under the hood, they offer surprisingly different experiences.
So, which one should you be using? Let’s dive deep into the speed, features, design, and security of Telegram vs Unigram to help you make the right choice.
🚀 What Is Unigram?
Unigram is a third-party Telegram client designed specifically for Windows 10 and 11. It’s available from the Microsoft Store and built using Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform (UWP) framework — which means it looks and behaves like a true native Windows app.
While Telegram Desktop is the official client built by Telegram itself, it’s designed to work consistently across platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It has fewer Windows-specific optimizations, but offers a more uniform experience across devices.
⚡ Speed and Performance
Here’s where the lines get a little blurred.
| Feature | Telegram Desktop | Unigram |
|---|---|---|
| Launch time | Fast | Faster |
| RAM usage | Moderate | Moderate |
| Animations | Minimal | Smooth |
| Touch support | Basic | Excellent |
While Unigram feels more modern thanks to its fluid design and animations, it can occasionally feel less snappy on older or mid-range systems. The UWP framework is known for heavier memory use, so Telegram Desktop might actually run smoother on some machines, despite its plainer UI.
If raw speed and efficiency are your priority, Telegram Desktop may edge out Unigram. But if you’re on a newer machine and love animations, Unigram still holds up well.
🎨 Design and User Interface
This is where Unigram really shines.
Unigram follows Microsoft’s Fluent Design System, which gives you:
- Acrylic and blur effects
- Native dark mode support
- Stylish transitions
- Pinned chats in compact overlay
- Better support for Windows tablets and touchscreens
Telegram Desktop keeps things basic and functional. It looks consistent across platforms, but doesn’t feel particularly “Windows-y.”
If you care about aesthetics and love Windows 11’s design language, Unigram is the winner.
🔧 Features Breakdown
Here’s how they stack up in terms of capabilities:
✅ Shared Features:
- Cloud-based chat sync
- Multiple accounts
- Stickers, emojis, GIFs
- Group and channel support
- Scheduled and silent messages
- Media preview and file sharing
- Theme customization
🧠 Unigram-Only Features:
- Secret Chats: Yes, Unigram supports end-to-end encrypted secret chats, which Telegram Desktop does not.
- Voice and Video Calls: Fully supported in Unigram now.
- Translation: In-app translation for foreign messages.
- Multi-window Chatting: Open several chats in separate windows.
- Compact Overlay Mode: Like picture-in-picture for Telegram.
- Tighter Windows Integration: Taskbar jump lists, Share target, etc.
- Bio character counter, QR scanner, and more
📞 Telegram Desktop-Only Features:
- Slightly better proxy configuration and debugging options.
- Marginally more consistent performance on older systems.
Unigram has clearly overtaken Telegram Desktop in terms of feature set, especially now that it includes calls and secret chats.
🔒 Security and Privacy
| Feature | Telegram Desktop | Unigram |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Chats | ❌ | ✅ |
| End-to-End Encryption | ❌ | ✅ (in secret chats) |
| Local password lock | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2-step verification | ✅ | ✅ |
Here’s the kicker: Unigram supports secret chats, which are end-to-end encrypted, while Telegram Desktop still doesn’t. That’s a major win for Unigram users who value privacy.
Also, if you use Windows Hello, you can unlock Unigram with facial recognition or a fingerprint. Telegram Desktop, while secure, lacks these tight integrations.
🖥️ Platform Compatibility
| Feature | Telegram Desktop | Unigram |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✅ | ✅ |
| macOS/Linux | ✅ | ❌ |
| Touch support | Basic | Excellent |
| Auto updates | Via Telegram | Via Microsoft Store |
Telegram Desktop is great if you use multiple operating systems. But if you’re strictly on Windows, Unigram offers a more native, fluid experience.
🛠️ Installation and Updates
- Telegram Desktop: Download from desktop.telegram.org
- Unigram: Get it from the Microsoft Store
Unigram enjoys seamless auto-updates via the Store, meaning you always get the latest version without manual hassle.
🧠 Telegram vs Unigram: Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a short summary of the article:
| Choose this if: | Go with |
|---|---|
| You want secret chats, better Windows design, native call support, and a more modern feel | Unigram |
| You use multiple operating systems | Telegram |
Telegram Desktop is reliable, cross-platform, and straightforward. But Unigram has rapidly evolved into a power-packed, modern Telegram client that feels right at home on Windows 11 — and now that it supports secret chats and calls, there are few reasons not to try it.
More Telegram guides:
1. How to Watch Telegram Videos Without Downloading
2. How to Access Banned Telegram Channels
