Quick Summary
Telegram
Full-featured Telegram bot with commands and reactions
- Native bot API support
- Forum/topics support
- Inline keyboards
iMessage
Apple iMessage integration (macOS only)
- Native macOS integration
- iCloud sync
- Media support
Capability Comparison
| Capability | Telegram | iMessage |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Group Chats | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Media Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Voice Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Reactions | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Thread Support | — No | — No |
| Native Commands | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Text Limit | 4096 chars | 4096 chars |
| Protocol | grammy | imsg (macOS-only) |
Access Control Policies
Telegram
DM Policies
allowlistpairingopen
Group Policies
allowlistopen
iMessage
DM Policies
allowlistpairingopen
Group Policies
allowlistopen
Best Use Cases
Choose Telegram for:
- AI assistant bot
- Group automation
- Customer support bot
- Team productivity
Choose iMessage for:
- Personal AI assistant
- Family communication
- Apple ecosystem users
Use with AI Providers
Both channels work with all OpenClaw AI providers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for AI assistants, Telegram or iMessage?
Both work well with OpenClaw. Telegram is better for ai assistant bot, while iMessage excels at personal ai assistant. Consider your audience and feature requirements.
Can I use both Telegram and iMessage with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple channels simultaneously. You can connect the same AI assistant to both Telegram and iMessage, allowing users to interact through their preferred platform.
Which has better group chat support?
Both support group chats. Telegram uses allowlist, open policies, while iMessage uses allowlist, open.