> **For coding agents and LLMs:** This is one Social Fetch marketing page (markdown export). For API orientation start with [`/llms.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms.txt); for auth and crawl rules use [`/agents.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/agents.txt); for every operation use [`/llms-endpoints.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms-endpoints.txt).

## This page

- **On-site (HTML):** [https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/telegram-bot-api-vs-social-fetch-what-is-the-difference](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/telegram-bot-api-vs-social-fetch-what-is-the-difference)
- **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** [https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/telegram-bot-api-vs-social-fetch-what-is-the-difference.mdx](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/telegram-bot-api-vs-social-fetch-what-is-the-difference.mdx)

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# Telegram Bot API vs Social Fetch — what is the difference?

Bot API is for building bots that send and receive messages inside Telegram (you need a bot token from BotFather). Social Fetch is a public-data lookup API: username or post id in, structured JSON out, no bot required. Choose Bot API when you need write access or bot interactions; choose Social Fetch for public channel enrichment and monitoring alongside other networks.

Source: [Telegram data API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/telegram)

## Related questions

- [Is there a Telegram scraper API that works without a userbot?](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/is-there-a-telegram-scraper-api-that-works-without-a-userbot)
- [What Telegram data does Social Fetch cover?](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/what-telegram-data-does-social-fetch-cover)
- [Do I need a Telegram Bot API token?](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/do-i-need-a-telegram-bot-api-token)
- [Can I list posts from a public Telegram group?](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/can-i-list-posts-from-a-public-telegram-group)
- [How do I fetch a Telegram channel by handle?](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/how-do-i-fetch-a-telegram-channel-by-handle)