Telegram vs WhatsApp Marketing — Why Mass DM Converts Cheaper

2025-10-02 · 10–12 min read

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Both platforms dominate messaging, but they solve different jobs. For acquisition tests where you need fast signal on a new offer, Telegram Mass DM typically outperforms on cost per 1K sends and reply rate. WhatsApp shines once people opt in—fantastic for reminders, receipts, and loyalty flows. This guide breaks down costs, reply dynamics, compliance, and a 7-day plan to get results without burning budget on ads.

Telegram vs WhatsApp marketing CPA chart comparing cost per 1K sends and reply rate for Mass DM vs templates
Mass DM keeps test costs predictable: $35 per 1K vs variable template/conversation fees elsewhere.

Quick verdict

Cost comparison: predictable vs variable

Telegram Mass DM uses a simple per-1K model—starter tests begin at $35 per 1,000 DMs—so you can run multiple cohorts without guesswork. WhatsApp Business typically bills per conversation session with country and category differences, so total cost depends on geo mix, template type, and engagement. Email media is cheap, but warming domains and avoiding spam traps slows learning cycles.

ChannelBest jobPricing modelStarter test at 1K
Telegram Mass DMCold → warmFixed per-1K send$35 / 1K (starter)
WhatsApp BusinessWarm (opt-in)Conversation fees by country/categoryVariable; higher for cold acquisition
EmailDocs & nurtureESP plan + infraLow media, warmup overhead

Why Telegram reply rates skew higher

Telegram is built for dialog, not just broadcasts. You can locate users by interest (public groups/channels), apply behavior filters (recent activity, profile visuals, premium status), and send short, human messages with one clear CTA. That context lifts replies per 1K vs cold email or templated ads. WhatsApp replies are excellent—after consent. But getting cold prospects into WhatsApp typically means paying for clicks or QR flows first.

Broadcast vs DM ROI graph: one-to-many posts vs one-to-one messages for conversions
One-to-one messages outperform broadcasts for demos, trials, webinar seats, and invite-only drops.

Telegram vs WhatsApp business communication: who wins where?

Channel vs contact match diagram: Telegram channel lookalikes vs WhatsApp CRM contacts
Telegram helps you discover intent via communities; WhatsApp thrives once a contact opts in.

Channel vs contact match: the targeting edge

On Telegram you can shortlist communities around your topic, then extract a cohort with intent cues (recent posts, reactions, bio keywords). That’s closer to a search-like signal than broad demographic ads. On WhatsApp, lists mostly originate from CRM or paid funnels—meaning you pay earlier to start the same conversation.

Compliance, pacing, and user respect

We operate with compliant, human-first outreach: tight relevance, one CTA, explicit opt-out, and safe pacing. Our quality accounts are warmed and throttled with randomized delays. On WhatsApp, we respect template and consent rules.

7-day validation plan

  1. ICP & JTBD: one-line pain → outcome.
  2. Community mapping: 5–10 active groups/channels.
  3. Human filters: recent activity • profile photo • premium.
  4. Two short scripts: value-first opener + follow-up.
  5. Send 1–3K DMs: warmed accounts, randomized delays.
  6. Measure cohorts: deliveries, replies, clicks, bookings.
  7. Scale winners: double down; rewrite laggards.

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