Telegram X

Review by eFreeware

If you already use Telegram and want a version of it that feels quicker and less ordinary, Telegram X is the client to look at. It comes from Telegram FZ-LLC and runs on TDLib, the same underlying library as the main app, so your messages, chats and media stay in step across every device you sign in on. What you get is the familiar service wrapped in a client that the developer pitches as faster, with slicker animations and features that have not yet made it into the standard app.

The appeal is narrow but clear. This is not a separate messaging network and it is not trying to be one; it is another way to reach the same conversations. Anyone curious about how Telegram can feel when the interface is tuned differently, or who simply prefers a snappier client, is the natural audience. It costs nothing to try, and there is nothing to buy inside it.

What the TDLib foundation changes

The core of the pitch is speed and motion. Telegram X runs on TDLib, and the developer describes it as faster and smoother than the standard client. That matters most in long chat histories, media-heavy threads and switching between conversations.

The second half of the pitch is the experimental features. These are additions the developer has not carried over to the standard client, making Telegram X something of a testing ground. For some users that is genuinely interesting, though experimental work is less settled.

None of this changes what Telegram itself does. Messages, media and conversations remain tied to your Telegram account and sync across all your devices, so moving between clients does not mean starting over or maintaining two separate sets of chats.

The maintenance record behind it

The most recent update, version 0.29.0.1813, lists improved censorship circumvention alongside stability, performance and security improvements, plus video playback optimizations and fixes for critical issues. That is a maintenance release touching what people notice.

The censorship work is worth singling out, because it speaks to a specific audience. Telegram is used where access is unreliable, and a client that improves how it gets around blocks is useful there. The security and stability items suggest ongoing attention.

The release history also tells you something about pace. Telegram X arrived in May 2015 and has been updated as recently as September 2026, so it has been kept current for a long stretch.

What it asks of you

The requirements are minimal. Telegram X is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases, so there is no paid tier to weigh. It does ask that you sign in, since it is a client for that service rather than a service of its own.

The content rating is Mature 17+, which reflects that a messaging client puts you in contact with whatever your contacts send. That is a property of the service, not this client.

The install figures put it in familiar territory: more than 100 million installs and a 3.9 average from 860,760 ratings. That is a widely used client with a mixed reception, useful context when weighing the switch.

A sensible way to approach it

The easiest way to judge Telegram X is as a second client rather than a replacement. Everything syncs across devices, so you can sign in, compare it against what you are used to, and disturb nothing. If the speed and animation work land, make it your default.

Pay attention to the experimental features specifically. They are what differs most from the standard app and the reason to choose this build. If those additions are useful, the case is straightforward. If not, the decision comes down to which interface you prefer.

One practical note on updates: recent releases have focused on connection reliability and video playback, so it is worth keeping the app current rather than sitting on an older build.

A good fit for Telegram regulars who want something quicker

Telegram X is worth installing if you already live in Telegram and want a client that feels faster, moves more smoothly and gives you an early look at features the standard app has not adopted. It is free, ad-free and free of purchases, and the sync across devices means trying it costs you nothing but a few minutes. The censorship, stability and video work in the latest version suggests a client that is still being looked after.

The case is weaker if you are happy with the standard Telegram client and have no interest in experimental features. The two do the same job, and the differences here are about feel and early access rather than capability. For anyone in that position, the standard client remains the simpler choice, while Telegram X stays the more interesting one for users who care about how the app performs moment to moment.

What's new

0.29.0.1813 – Improved censorship circumvention – Stability, performance and security improvements – Video playback optimizations – Critical issues fixes