Telegram bots explained: how they work and how one is created
Short answer
A Telegram bot is a special account that runs software instead of a person. You create one by messaging BotFather, which returns a token, and the bot then sends and receives messages through Telegram’s Bot API over HTTPS. Telegram says bots are free for users and developers. Bots can answer commands, run inline searches, take payments and host Mini Apps.
On this page
This guide follows Telegram’s own documentation, read on 12 Oct 2026. It has not been tested hands-on, so it has no screenshots. It covers how bots work and how one is created. It does not list consumer bots for search, dating or earning.
What a Telegram bot is
Telegram describes bots as “small applications that run entirely within the Telegram app”. They are special accounts that “don’t need a phone number to set up”, and Telegram states they are free for both users and developers. A person finds a bot by its username, opens a chat and sends it messages or commands. The bot’s software, which runs on a server, decides the reply.
What bots can do
Telegram’s bots page lists these uses:
- Inline mode. People run quick searches through a bot from any chat. Inline mode has to be enabled through BotFather, or the bot will not receive inline updates.
- Payments. “Telegram Stars allow users to securely and effortlessly buy digital products.” Physical goods can be sold through third-party providers.
- Mini Apps. “Telegram bots can host Mini Apps built with JavaScript”, from online stores to games.
- Other uses. Custom tools, AI agents, business account integration, games and subscriptions.
A bot can also be a simple FAQ helper, a lead capture form, a notification sender or a bridge to other software.
How to create a bot
Telegram’s documentation says to message BotFather, the official bot for registering bots, and gives these steps.
Open BotFather
In Telegram, search for @BotFather and start a chat.
Send the command
Send /newbot. BotFather asks for a name and a username.
Choose a username carefully
Telegram states “Unlike the bot’s name, the username cannot be changed later.”
Save the token
BotFather returns an authentication token. Store it safely, because anyone who has it controls the bot.
Set the commands
Commands start with a slash and have up to 32 characters. Set the list through BotFather or the API so users see suggestions when they type a slash.
Connect the logic
Point a script or a no-code tool at the Bot API using the token, then message the bot to test it.
Searches for “making a telegram bot” and “creating a telegram bot” lead to these steps.
How the Bot API works
Telegram describes the Bot API as “an HTTP-based interface created for developers keen on building bots for Telegram” and as a simplified version of the Telegram API. Searches for “Telegram API” and “Telegram bot API” meet here. Requests are sent over HTTPS to an address in the form https://api.telegram.org/bot<token>/METHOD_NAME. The latest version on the page read was Bot API 10.3, dated 24 August 2026.
There are two exclusive ways for the bot to receive messages:
- getUpdates. The bot fetches updates itself by long polling.
- Webhook. Telegram sends each update to a URL you set. You cannot use getUpdates while a webhook is set. See webhook.
Groups. Privacy mode is “enabled by default for all bots, except bots that were added to a group as admins”. In privacy mode a bot sees only messages meant for it, such as commands addressed to it and replies to its messages.
Limits. The features page did not publish per-second limits for messages to one chat, to a group or in bulk. It advises handling errors with retries and not hardcoding limits. Check the full Bot API documentation for current numbers before sending in volume.
Building in code or without it
Python. The python-telegram-bot library describes itself as a “pure Python, asynchronous interface for the Telegram Bot API”. Its page says it is compatible with Python 3.10 or later and natively supports Bot API 10.0, and gives the install command pip install python-telegram-bot --upgrade. Its README says the library may be used under the LGPL-3.0 licence. Libraries lag the Bot API, so check the version it supports against the one you need. Searches for “python telegram bot” are about this kind of library.
No-code and workflow tools. n8n’s template library lists Telegram among the apps you can filter by, so a bot can be part of a workflow with other steps. See the n8n page. The n8n templates page explains how to import a workflow.
AI answers. A bot can pass a message to a language model and return its answer. Wrong answers are possible, so use approved information and a route to a person. See the AI chatbot guide.
Examples
These are illustrations, not data from any business.
- FAQ helper.
/hoursreturns opening hours,/pricereturns a price list,/persontells staff to take over. - Order alerts. A workflow sends a message to a staff group when a new order arrives.
- Booking requests. The bot asks for a name, date and need, then forwards the answers to the owner.
- Internal tool. A team bot returns a report on command.
Telegram beside Messenger, Viber and WhatsApp
| Telegram bot | Messenger bot | WhatsApp bot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | Message BotFather | Needs a Facebook Page | Needs the Business Platform |
| Cost to run | Telegram states bots are free; hosting and tools are extra | Free built-in tools; builders charge | Meta charges per template message |
| Rules | See Telegram’s documentation | Meta’s 24 hour window and opt-in | Templates, opt-in and the 24 hour window |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
The cost row is limited to what each platform states. This site found no sourced figures on how many Philippine customers use Telegram compared with Messenger, Viber or WhatsApp, so none are given. Ask your customers which app they use before choosing. The rules for the others are in the Messenger bot guide and the WhatsApp bots guide.
Personal data. Messages contain names and sometimes phone numbers. The Data Privacy Act of 2012 applies to a business that collects them. The AI automation guide lists the checks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Telegram bot?
A special Telegram account run by software. It replies to messages and commands through the Bot API.
How do I create a Telegram bot?
Message @BotFather, send /newbot, choose a name and a username, and save the token it returns. Then connect software that uses the token.
Is a Telegram bot free?
Telegram states bots are free for users and developers. Your server, any no-code tool and any AI model you use may cost money.
What is the Telegram Bot API?
An HTTP-based interface for building bots. Requests go to api.telegram.org with the bot’s token, and the bot receives updates by long polling or a webhook.
Can a Telegram bot use AI?
Yes, by passing messages to an AI model. Review its answers and keep a route to a person.
Which Python library is used for Telegram bots?
python-telegram-bot is one library. Its page says it needs Python 3.10 or later and supports Bot API 10.0. Others exist; this guide did not review them.
Does a Telegram bot need a phone number?
Telegram says bots do not need a phone number to set up.
Sources
All sources were read on 12 Oct 2026.
- Telegram, Bots: an introduction for developers.
- Telegram, Telegram Bot API.
- Telegram, Bot features.
- python-telegram-bot, GitHub repository.
- n8n, Workflow templates library.