Telegram-Based Applications: Freedom of Choice versus Security Risks
Telegram is rightly considered one of the leading messengers due to its speed and powerful interface. However, the official app is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is a wide range of third-party clients offering features that are not available in the official app. The clients can provide additional functionality, but they often require payment or come with security risks.
In this article, we will explore what third-party clients are and their benefits and drawbacks, as well as which ones are considered most secure, including Nicegram.
What is a Third-Party Telegram Client?
A third-party client is an application developed by independent developers that interacts with Telegram’s servers using the official API (application programming interface). It acts as an alternative version of your account and can significantly change the appearance of the app and add new features.
Benefits
- The main advantage of using third-party clients is their extended customization options for the interface. While the official client offers only basic theme settings, applications like Telegram X and Nekogram X allow users to change almost everything: fonts, icons, element sizes, animations, chat backgrounds, and even navigation gestures. This gives users the ability to create a unique and personalized experience that suits their needs.
- Another significant advantage is the availability of additional features. Some of the most popular ones include automatic media downloads with no size limits, the ability to copy text without linking to the sender, which is useful for taking notes, and more granular cache control. Many clients also offer the option to hide chats behind a password or within “secret” sections, export correspondence in convenient HTML or TXT formats, and perform a more comprehensive global search for all chats at once.
- For owners of older devices, improved performance can be a significant advantage. Some applications, such as Telegram X, are originally developed by the Telegram team as experimental projects and are written using a different code. These applications often run much faster and optimize traffic and RAM usage, which can be especially noticeable on older devices.
Drawbacks
- The most significant and obvious disadvantage of using a third-party app for your username and password is the risk to your security and privacy. In the worst-case scenario, a malicious client could intercept your messages, steal your encryption keys, and access your account information.
- Another issue is the lack of stable end-to-end encryption. Due to this, many additional features, such as automatic media saving, are incompatible with Telegram’s secret chats that use this type of encryption.
- From the user’s perspective, the main drawback is instability and bugs. Third-party applications don’t always stay up-to-date with the latest version of the official Telegram API. After a significant update, your preferred client may stop functioning or start experiencing crashes.
Secure Third-Party Clients
- Nicegram: An app with a pleasant interface that has its own unique features, such as improved capabilities for working with channels and bots.
- Telegram X: Although the development of this app has slowed down, it is still an official Telegram client offering an alternative interface and engine.
- Nekogram: A very popular client with a wide range of features. Its open source code allows experts to check for any backdoors and potential leaks.
- Plus Messenger: Based on the official Telegram code for Android, it has many additional settings and is quite popular. However, it’s best to download it from the official source to ensure security.
Final Thoughts
Telegram’s third-party clients are a powerful tool that transforms a standard messaging app into a personalized communication platform with endless customization options. These clients provide the freedom that experienced users appreciate.
