Alternatives to Telegram
Since Telegram stock isn't publicly traded at this point, here are three alternative stocks to consider:
Meta
Meta Platforms (META -1.14%) is best known as the owner of social media giants Facebook and Instagram. But in 2014, founder Mark Zuckerberg also paid $19 billion to acquire WhatsApp. Unlike Telegram, messages on WhatsApp feature end-to-end encryption by default, although WhatsApp has been criticized for sharing user data with Facebook. With more than 3 billion monthly active users, WhatsApp is by far the more popular messaging app.
Reddit
If you're enthusiastic about Telegram for its ability to facilitate anonymous conversation, consider investing in Reddit. Reddit has become a hugely popular social media site in recent years, but unlike other platforms, users don't share their names or identities when they sign up for the service. Reddit went public in one of the most-hyped IPOs of 2024. It also reported a profit for the first time in its 20-year history last year.
New York Times
The New York Times (NYT -1.76%) is a legacy media publisher that has embraced Telegram as a broadcasting platform. It initially launched its channel to provide reporting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict but has since expanded to include a daily international news roundup. Its channel had almost 170,000 subscribers in mid-2025.
How to buy stocks similar to Telegram
For now, access to Telegram stock is off-limits for most investors. But if the company goes public someday, you'll be able to invest in the company using your brokerage account. To start investing in stocks, follow these steps:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
