> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ultraclaw.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channel Comparison

> Compare UltraClaw messaging channels: iMessage, Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and Web Chat side by side.

# Channel Comparison

UltraClaw supports five messaging channels. Each has different strengths — here's how they compare so you can pick the right combination for your workflow.

## Side-by-Side Comparison

| Feature               | iMessage           | Telegram        | WhatsApp        | Discord         | Web Chat               |
| --------------------- | ------------------ | --------------- | --------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| **Stability**         | ★★★★☆              | ★★★★★           | ★★★☆☆           | ★★★★★           | ★★★★★                  |
| **Voice Messages**    | ✓                  | ✓ (best)        | ✓               | ✓ (live voice)  | ✗                      |
| **Image / Media**     | ✓                  | ✓               | ✓               | ✓               | ✓                      |
| **File Sharing**      | ✓ (100MB)          | ✓ (2GB)         | ✓ (100MB)       | ✓ (25MB)        | ✓ (unlimited)          |
| **Group Chats**       | ✗                  | ✓               | ✓               | ✓               | ✗                      |
| **Rich Formatting**   | ✗                  | Basic           | Basic           | Embeds          | Full Markdown          |
| **Code Blocks**       | ✗                  | Monospace       | Monospace       | ✓               | ✓ (syntax highlighted) |
| **Setup Difficulty**  | None (auto)        | Easy            | Easy (QR)       | Moderate        | None (built-in)        |
| **Re-pairing Needed** | Never              | Never           | Occasionally    | Never           | Never                  |
| **Cross-Platform**    | Apple only         | All             | All             | All             | All (browser)          |
| **Dedicated Number**  | ✓ (Dedicated plan) | N/A             | N/A             | N/A             | N/A                    |
| **All Plans**         | Pro + Dedicated    | Pro + Dedicated | Pro + Dedicated | Pro + Dedicated | All plans              |

## Recommendation Matrix

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I'm an iPhone user who wants the simplest setup">
    **Primary:** iMessage — **Backup:** Telegram

    iMessage gives you a zero-friction experience. Your agent texts you automatically, and it lives right in your Messages app. Add Telegram as a backup for voice transcription and when you're on a non-Apple device.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want the most reliable connection possible">
    **Primary:** Telegram — **Backup:** Web Chat

    Telegram has the most stable connection of any messaging channel. It never needs re-pairing and survives reboots, network changes, and updates. Pair it with Web Chat for formatted output.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm on Android">
    **Primary:** Telegram or WhatsApp — **Backup:** Web Chat

    iMessage isn't available on Android. Choose Telegram for stability or WhatsApp if that's where you already live. Web Chat works great in mobile Chrome too.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want my team to share one agent">
    **Primary:** Discord — **Backup:** Web Chat

    Discord is the only channel that supports multi-user access in a shared server. Set up allowlists and channel restrictions to control who can interact with the agent and where.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want voice conversations">
    **Primary:** Discord (live voice) or Telegram (voice notes)

    Discord offers real-time voice channel support where you can speak and hear your agent live. Telegram excels at asynchronous voice notes — speak, and get a text response back.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I need formatted output (code, tables, reports)">
    **Primary:** Web Chat

    Web Chat is the only channel with full markdown rendering, syntax-highlighted code blocks, and formatted tables. Use it for technical work, long reports, and content generation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm on the Starter plan">
    **Only option:** Web Chat

    The Starter plan includes Web Chat only. Upgrade to Pro to unlock iMessage, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Discord.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Our Recommendation

For most users, we recommend **iMessage + Telegram**:

* **iMessage** for everyday quick chats on your iPhone
* **Telegram** as a stable backup with voice transcription, accessible from any device
* **Web Chat** whenever you need rich formatting or are at your computer

This combination gives you coverage everywhere — Apple devices via iMessage, everything else via Telegram, and a full-featured fallback in the browser.

<Tip>
  You can use **all channels simultaneously**. Your agent shares memory across every channel, so you can start a conversation on iMessage, continue it on Telegram, and review it in Web Chat.
</Tip>

## Channel Setup Links

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="iMessage" icon="message" href="/channels/imessage">
    Auto-connected on signup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telegram" icon="paper-plane" href="/channels/telegram">
    Connect in 30 seconds
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp" icon="phone" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    QR code pairing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord" icon="discord" href="/channels/discord">
    Bot authorization
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web Chat" icon="globe" href="/channels/webchat">
    Built into dashboard
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plans" icon="credit-card" href="/getting-started/plans">
    See what's included
  </Card>
</CardGroup>