Telegram says it funds its service mainly through optional Premium subscriptions and Sponsored Messages in some large public channels. It also shares advertising revenue with qualifying channel owners and has introduced features such as Stars, Gifts, Mini Apps and Telegram Business. Founder Pavel Durov reported that Telegram became profitable in 2024 and generated more than $1 billion in revenue that year; the company’s reviewed sources do not provide audited financial statements or a breakdown of that revenue.
Telegram’s main revenue streams
Telegram’s FAQ identifies two core sources of revenue: Premium subscriptions and Sponsored Messages. It says these streams help pay infrastructure costs and developer salaries, while “making profits will never be an end-goal for Telegram.” Those are the company’s stated priorities, not an independently verified account of its finances. Telegram FAQ
| Revenue stream | Who pays | Where the money comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Telegram Premium | Users who choose to subscribe | Payment for additional features and subscription benefits |
| Sponsored Messages | Advertisers | Ads shown in some large public channels |
| Other monetization features | Users, developers, businesses or advertisers, depending on the feature | Products and tools including Stars, Gifts, Mini Apps, Telegram Business and Telegram Gateway; the sources do not provide a revenue breakdown for these features |
How Telegram Premium brings in money
Premium is an optional subscription that provides additional features and supports Telegram’s development. The exact price can vary by country and payment method, including app-store fees; Telegram also says yearly plans and subscriptions through @PremiumBot may be discounted. There is no single universal price established here. Telegram Premium FAQ
Premium hides Telegram’s official Sponsored Messages. That does not necessarily remove promotional posts written or purchased independently by channel administrators: Telegram distinguishes those from its own official ads.
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How Telegram’s ads work—and what users see
Telegram says Sponsored Messages may appear in some large public, one-to-many channels. They are not shown in private chats, and Telegram says it does not use personal user data to target them. Its stated policy is that it does not sell user data. These are Telegram’s descriptions of its own practices, not independent audit findings. Telegram FAQ Telegram’s channel monetization announcement
Official Sponsored Messages are only one kind of promotion a user might encounter. A channel administrator can post promotional material independently, and Premium does not hide those admin-posted promotions.
How channel owners can share in ad revenue
On March 31, 2024, Telegram announced that owners of public channels with at least 1,000 subscribers could receive 50% of the revenue from ads displayed in their channels. The announcement said channel owners could withdraw rewards through Fragment or use them for Telegram ads, collectible usernames or Premium giveaways. It also said ads could be purchased with Toncoins and placed in selected channels. These were terms announced in 2024, not a guarantee of current eligibility or payout conditions; channel owners should check Telegram’s current rules before relying on them. Telegram: Sharing Revenue with Channel Owners
Telegram said its channels generated more than 1 trillion views per month at the time of that announcement. The figure describes the scale cited in the 2024 post, not an independently verified current audience measure. Technical documentation also describes ad-revenue sharing for channels and bots. Telegram revenue-sharing documentation
Other ways Telegram has developed monetization
In a 2024 post, Durov listed Stars, Gifts, Giveaways, Mini Apps, the Affiliate Platform, Telegram Business and Telegram Gateway among the monetization innovations introduced that year. The post describes commissions for channel owners when users they refer make transactions in mini apps. It does not establish that every publisher can participate or that the feature is an external affiliate program. Pavel Durov’s official Telegram channel
#1 Best Overall
- FEATURE: the tripod phone mount is adjustable by screw mechanism, 360 degree rotating, vertical(portrait mode) and horizontal(landscape mode) or any angle as you need, not necessary to take your cell phone out of a standard tripod or small tripod.
- EASY TO USE: two options for using tripod phone holder: 1. screw it directly to the tripod or selfie stick with pivoting arm, being able to 360 degrees rotating, 2. remove the phone clamp from pivoting arm and then mount on a tripod or monopod.
- ADJUSTABLE WIDTH: 2.2inch-4.1inch(55mm-105mm), attachable to any regular-size smartphone, tripod, selfie stick, monopod or camera; two standard 1/4 x 20mm female thread interfaces meeting your various needs. Very functional and compact.
- MATERIAL: the black part made of sturdy plastic, the female threads inserted are brass, the male screw is steel and soft non-slipping silica gel pads, which protect your cellphone from scratch and hold the phone securely.
- ATTACHABLE TO: most mobile phones, tripods, unipods, selfie sticks, cameras, camcorders, pico projectors, including iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/X/XS/XR/XS Max/8/7/6/6s Plus/SE/5s/5/5c, Samsung Galaxy S10/10+/S9/S9+/S8/S8+/S7/S6/S6 edge, Note10/10+/9/8 and Android phones.
These features broaden Telegram’s potential sources of income and create ways for users, businesses and developers to transact or promote services within its ecosystem. The available figures do not show how much revenue any of them generated or how they compare with Premium and advertising.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Telegram’s reported revenue tells us
Pavel Durov reported that Telegram became profitable in 2024, generated more than $1 billion in total revenue that year, had more than 12 million Premium subscribers, and held more than $500 million in cash reserves at year-end excluding crypto assets. These are founder-reported figures from his official channel, not audited financial statements. The reviewed sources do not provide a full breakdown of revenue by Premium, ads or newer features, so the $1 billion figure cannot be reliably allocated among them. Pavel Durov’s official Telegram channel
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Universal Phone Holder: This multifunctional phone clamp can be mounted on the top of a camera or tripod through 1/4"-20 threaded hole or cold shoe at the bottom for photography, live-streaming, vlogging, interviews, etc
- Support Landscape and Portrait Modes: The phone holder can be quick switching between landscape and portrait modes, and securely lock when rotated to 90° degrees. Two rotary joints supports 180 degrees adjustment
- Universal Compatibility: It supports smartphones with a width of 57-88mm / 2.5-3.5in (for Samsung, for iPhone 18 / 18 Pro / 18 Pro Max / 17 /17 Pro/17 Pro Max/16/16 Pro/16 Pro Max/15/15 Pro /15 Pro Max / for iPhone 14/14 Pro /14 Pro Max / for iPhone 13 /13 Pro /13 Pro Max / for iPhone 12 Pro Max and so on)
- Threaded Holes & Cold Shoe: Designed with well-spaced threaded holes to facilitate the installation of power bank holders (ID: 2336 / 2790). There is a cold shoe mount on top for microphone or light
- Package Included: phone holder x 1. Please note that the load capacity is 500g
Rank #4
- 【Sturdy and Stable】: Made of premium aluminum alloy and stainless steel, Liphisy phone tripod with remote keeps your device stay securely in place for still shots and video recording.
- 【Multi-angle Shot】: With a max height of 64”, this tripod stand with a 210-degree rotation head and 360-degree rotation holder allows you to capture shots from any angle, catering to different photography needs.
- 【Wireless Remote Included】: Package includes a wireless remote that connects to your cell phone easily, making it a breeze to snap photos or video recordings.
- 【Height Adjustable】: The height of this cell phone tripod with remote can be adjusted from 17” to 64” and the easy lock mechanism makes it really easy to set up. It gives you an excellent vantage point for capturing photos and videos.
- 【Wide Application】: Compatable with different phone and camera, this tripod is great for photography and video recording, perfect for travel and home use.
Rank #3
- 🏆【Latest Metal Phone Tripod Mount】: 360° rotation smartphone holder with 2 side cold shoe and 1 back cold shoe & 1/4" Expand Hole Design, you can attach additional LED light, microphone or other film device. It helps you film steady vlogging video for Facebook, Youtube, and platforms as well as live streaming channels.
- 🏆【Back Cold Shoe & Two 1/4" Expand Hole Design】: There is a cold shoe on the back, which solves the problem that the wireless microphone cannot be fixed during mobile phone recording. Two 1/4" screw hole help you expand the devices you want.
- 🏆【Standard Arca Mount on Bottom】- ULANZI Iron Man IV with a standard Aka quick release plate port, quick installation. A 1/4 screw port is added at the bottom to connect tripods. It is all aluminum metal made. Solid, Durable and Safer.
- 🏆【Side Double Cold Shoe Design】: ULANZI ST-27 with 2 cold shoes on the side, you can mount your fill light & microphone at same time. It is be the best choice for your vlog.
- 🏆【Extra Wide Compatibility】: Ulanzi phone tripod mount compatible with iPhone17 16 15 14 13 12/12Pro/12Pro Max/11/11Pro/11Pro Max/X/Xs/XR/Xs Max,8/7/6/6s, iPhone 6/6s plus, iphone SE,Samsung Galaxy s10s10 plus S9/S9+,S8/S8+/S7/S6/S6 edge, Note 10 9 8 5 4 3 and many other brands and models
Rank #2
- Dual Cold Shoe Mounts: Attach microphones, lights, and accessories for enhanced photography or vlogging.
- Versatile Screw Design: 1/4" screw hole compatible with tripods, selfie sticks, cameras, and various accessories.
- 360° Rotation, 180° Tilt: Effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait mode with adjustable angle design for precise control.
- Universal Phone Compatibility: Fits smartphones from iPhone 14 to Galaxy S23 Ultra, accommodating devices within 2.16" to 3.7" width. For best results, avoid clamping directly on the side buttons. Adjust the position slightly higher or lower if your phone has thick cases or protruding buttons.
- Secure Grip: Thick non-slip silicone pad ensures stability even with a thick phone case.
What Telegram’s business model means for users
- You can use Telegram without buying Premium; the subscription is optional.
- Telegram says its official ads are limited to some large public channels, rather than private chats, and are not targeted using personal user data.
- Premium hides official Sponsored Messages, but not promotions independently posted by channel administrators.
- Channel owners may be able to share ad revenue, but the 50% share and 1,000-subscriber threshold were announced in 2024; check current terms before treating them as applicable.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
