Best for email and Google services
Gmail vs Telegram vs Viber: which communication app should you choose?
Gmail suits organized email and Google users, Telegram fits flexible messaging and file sharing, while Viber is a strong pick for calls, groups, and stickers.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GmailGoogle LLC | 4.1 out of 514,377,200 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 TelegramTelegram FZ-LLC | 3.8 out of 517,343,583 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.31 - $289.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Mature 17+ |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
All three are free communication apps for Android and iOS, but they serve different needs. Gmail centers on email and Google services; Telegram and Viber focus on messaging, with Viber also emphasizing voice and video calls.
This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and install figures alongside their features, trade-offs, ads, and in-app purchases, so you can choose the fit for how you communicate.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, install figures, prices, ad status, and in-app purchase ranges read on November 7, 2026. These figures offer a store snapshot, not a measure of call quality, privacy, or reliability.
We also considered each app’s stated purpose and the strengths and drawbacks described for it. Telegram’s Google Play data safety declaration says it shares no data with third parties, collects several types of information, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No equivalent declaration is included here for Gmail or Viber.
Gmail
Google LLC
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best formanaging email and Google services
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 14,377,200
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Gmail is the only email-first option in this group. Its Google service integration, strong search, spam filtering, generous free storage, and familiar interface make it a practical choice for keeping an inbox organized.
It is less suited to people choosing a dedicated chat or calling app: Telegram offers large file sharing and customizable messaging, while Viber emphasizes voice and video calls. Gmail also contains ads, and its settings can feel complex to beginners.
What we like
- Best fit for email and Google service integration
- Strong inbox search and spam filtering
- Free, with no in-app purchases
What to know
- Contains ads, unlike Telegram
- Limited offline capabilities and occasional sync issues
Telegram
Telegram FZ-LLC
3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forcustomizable messaging and large file sharing
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 17,343,583
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Mature 17+
Telegram is the messaging pick for cloud-synced chats, large file sharing, and interface customization. It is the only one of these three that declares no data sharing with third parties on Google Play, and it has no ads.
Its security claim needs context: end-to-end encryption applies to specific chats rather than every Telegram conversation by default. It is not an email replacement like Gmail, and Viber is the clearer choice here for high-quality video calls. Telegram also offers in-app purchases and can feel resource-heavy.
What we like
- Large file sharing and cloud-synced messages
- Customizable themes and interfaces
- No ads; declares no third-party data sharing on Google Play
What to know
- End-to-end encryption is not the default for all chats
- In-app purchases and some features tucked into menus
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forvoice and video calls with groups
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 16,690,539
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Teen
Viber is the strongest fit here for people who want messaging alongside voice and video calls. It combines group messaging, communities, end-to-end encryption, and a large sticker collection in an approachable interface.
Gmail is better for email and Google integration, while Telegram offers more customization and large-file sharing without ads. Viber’s free version contains ads, some features require payment, and users may encounter notification delays.
What we like
- High-quality video calls and voice calling
- End-to-end encryption and group messaging
- Large sticker collection and cross-platform availability
What to know
- Ads in the free version, with some paid features
- Can consume significant battery and notifications may be delayed
Which one should you pick?
Best for flexible messaging and file sharing
Telegram
Best for voice and video calls
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for email?
Gmail is the email-focused choice, with Google service integration, spam filtering, and strong search. Telegram and Viber are primarily messaging apps.
Which app offers end-to-end encryption?
Telegram supports end-to-end encryption in specific chats, while Viber describes its chats as end-to-end encrypted. Telegram conversations are not all end-to-end encrypted by default.
Which app has no ads?
Telegram is the only one of the three marked as containing no ads on Google Play. Gmail and Viber contain ads.
Which app is best for video calls?
Viber is the clearest choice in this comparison for video calling. Gmail is email-first, and Telegram’s listed strengths center on messaging and file sharing.
About this comparison
Appcrazy compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and fees are shown for reference and can change.