What is the difference between Telegram mini app and Telegram bot?

If you’re here, you already know that Telegram offers a massive platform for businesses to engage with customers more directly. And you definitely want to be one of those businesses that reap the benefits of a more direct approach, right?

The next question, though, is what is the difference between Telegram mini app and Telegram bot? 

In a nutshell, the Telegram application ecosystem gives you the ability to build and integrate apps within Telegram. 

There are two main types of Telegram applications: Telegram bots and Telegram mini apps. Let’s see which is which, when to build them, and for what.

The potential of Telegram applications for your business

Why Telegram? First and foremost, Telegram has a huge user base of 900 million active monthly users. 

Basically, build a Telegram app and easily tap into this network to promote your services to a diverse audience.  

Plus, Telegram's familiarity reduces user acquisition costs, making it easier for users to try out your app.

What's exciting is that Telegram's user-friendly interface encourages people to explore these apps within the platform. This lowers the usual barriers to adopting new technologies and opens up a profitable niche for us.

Telegram also prioritizes security, and its end-to-end encryption will protect your user data. This means that your app will benefit from the same security protocols that Telegram is known for.

Monetization opportunities

Telegram apps offer various ways to generate revenue, including:

• In-app purchases
• Subscriptions
• Advertising
• Sponsored content

With the integration of Wallet Pay, which supports both fiat and cryptocurrency payments, you can offer seamless payment options to your users. 

Telegram's recent launch of USDT payments on the TON blockchain also opens up new revenue channels.

There’s also that viral growth.

Telegram has an intuitive sharing mechanism that makes it easy for your users to share your app with friends. In business terms, that means better user acquisition and increased engagement. You can also incorporate referral systems and rewards and create a viral loop that keeps your users engaged.

Finally, Telegram apps work nicely across the main modern platforms that users may prefer, such as iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This means that your users can access your app on any device without facing any limitations or inconsistencies.

What are Telegram bots?

Telegram bots are automated programs that interact with users through chat interfaces. They're like virtual assistants that can provide information, answer questions, and even help with tasks.

How do Telegram bots work?

Telegram bots use a text-based interface, which makes them perfect for simple, direct interactions. They're built using the Telegram Bot API, which allows developers to create them using basic programming languages and tools.

What can Telegram bots do?

These bots can do a lot of things:

• Provide instant customer support and answer common questions
• Deliver content, such as news, updates, or media, to subscribers
• Facilitate interactive experiences like quizzes, games, and more
• Automate routine tasks, like sending notifications or managing group activities
• Even process payments and transactions

Why are Telegram bots useful?

Telegram bots are a great way to engage with your audience, provide support, and automate tasks without requiring a lot of technical expertise. They're easy to access, and users can start interacting with them simply by searching for their username and starting a conversation.

How can I use Telegram bots for my business?

You can use Telegram bots to:

• Provide instant support to your customers and reduce the workload for your support team
• Deliver content and updates to your subscribers and keep them engaged
• Create interactive experiences that drive engagement and conversion
• Automate routine tasks and free up more time for strategic work

Getting started

You don't need to be a developer to implement a Telegram bot. There are plenty of resources and professionals who can help you set one up according to your needs. The key is to identify what tasks you want to automate or what value you want to provide to your users through the bot.

What are Telegram mini apps?

Telegram mini apps are web-based applications that run directly within the Telegram messaging app. They offer a more immersive and interactive experience than standard web links or bots, and they can be used to create a wide range of experiences, from e-commerce and games to productivity tools and more.

How do Telegram mini apps work?

Telegram mini apps combine web technologies (like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) with Telegram's Bot API to create a more interactive experience within the Telegram app. 

They can access Telegram user information and authenticate users directly via Telegram, so it’s easier to personalize the experience and simplify login processes.

What can Telegram mini apps do?

These apps can do a lot of things, including:

• Create immersive and interactive experiences, like games and multimedia content
• Provide a seamless e-commerce experience where users can browse products, make purchases, and track orders all within Telegram
• Build productivity tools, like project management and scheduling apps, that integrate directly with Telegram
• Leverage blockchain technology to create decentralized features, like cryptocurrency wallets and smart contracts

How can I use Telegram mini apps for my business?

You can use Telegram mini apps to:

• Create a seamless and interactive experience for your customers
• Build a community around your brand with features like chatbots and push notifications
• Leverage blockchain technology to create decentralized features and experiences
• Integrate with other services and platforms, like cryptocurrency exchanges and payment gateways

The main differences between Telegram mini app and Telegram bot

Telegram bots and Telegram mini apps are two different tools that can help you interact with your customers. Here are the main differences:

Functionality

Telegram bots are simple automated programs that can do basic tasks, like answering questions, sending weather updates or reminders, etc.

Telegram mini apps are more complex programs that can do a lot more, like games, productivity tools, and e-commerce.

Integration

Telegram bots are separate from the rest of Telegram and can only interact with users through chat.

Telegram mini apps are fully integrated with Telegram and can interact with users in many different ways.

Monetization scope

Telegram bots have limited options for making money.

Telegram mini apps have many more options for making money, like in-app purchases or advertising.

Development

Telegram bots are easy to build and require minimal coding knowledge.

Telegram mini apps are more complex to build and require more advanced coding skills.

Authorization

Telegram bots are easy to use and don't require any extra login steps.

Telegram mini apps can offer more advanced login options, like in-app purchases or subscriptions.

User interface

Telegram bots have a very simple interface that's just text-based.

Telegram mini apps have a more complex interface that can include images, videos, and interactive elements.

Cross-platform compatibility

Telegram bots only work within the Telegram app.

Telegram mini apps can work on any device with a web browser.

Web3 integration

Telegram bots don't support blockchain technology.

Telegram mini apps do support blockchain technology and can be used to create decentralized apps.

Choosing between Telegram bots and Telegram mini apps

As a founder, you're always looking for ways to engage with your customers and provide them with a great experience. Telegram bots and Telegram mini apps are two powerful tools that can help you do just that. But which one is right for your business?

A case for Telegram bots

If you need a simple solution to automate tasks or provide basic interactions, a Telegram bot is a great choice. They're easy to develop and deploy, so they’re better for customer support or content delivery. 

A case for Telegram mini apps

If you want to create a more complex, visually engaging experience within Telegram, a mini app is the way to go. They offer more flexibility and can provide a more immersive user experience, making them ideal for e-commerce, games, or advanced productivity tools. 

So, which one is right for you?

If you need to automate simple tasks, a Telegram bot might be the way to go. But if you want to create a more immersive and interactive experience for your customers, a Telegram mini app is the better choice.

What's next?

If you're interested in building a Telegram bot or mini app, we're here to help. Our team has the expertise you need to create a powerful and engaging experience for your customers. Don't hesitate to reach out, and let's get started!