Comparative Analysis Of Whatsapp And Telegram As Digital Communication Platforms Based On Their Usage And Functions In The Digital Era

The development of information and communication technology in the digital era has encouraged the increased use of instant messaging applications as the primary means of communication. WhatsApp and Telegram are two of the most widely used digital communication platforms, each with different characteristics, functions, and usage patterns. This study aims to analyse the differences in the use and functions of WhatsApp and Telegram as digital communication platforms based on the Uses and Gratifications Theory perspective. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a literature study of various scientific journals, books, and relevant academic sources. The results of the analysis show that WhatsApp is more dominant in interpersonal and small group communication due to its ease of use, simple interface, and default end-to-end encryption security system. Meanwhile, Telegram is more widely used for information dissemination and digital community management through its channel, bot, large-capacity group, and cloud-based storage features. From the perspective of Uses and Gratifications Theory, WhatsApp users tend to seek gratification in the form of social closeness and ease of communication, while Telegram users are more interested in the efficiency of information distribution, flexibility of message management, and wide audience reach. This study concludes that the differences in the use and functions of WhatsApp and Telegram reflect differences in user needs and satisfaction in digital communication. These findings are expected to serve as a reference for individuals, educational institutions, and organisations in selecting the digital communication platform that best suits their needs.