Comparison · Bot builders
BotFather vs GetIDs Bot
To build a Telegram bot, start with BotFather (@BotFather): Telegram's official tool registers the bot with /newbot, issues the API token and sets the command menu, free and with nothing but your Telegram account. GetIDs Bot (@GetIDsBot) does a different job: forward it a message and it shows the sender, the origin chat and media details, and /json returns the message as Bot API JSON. Its developers say it is no longer actively developed, so fixes may be slow. BotFather never tells you a user or chat ID, though. When your code needs a chat ID for an allow-list, or you want to see the JSON your bot will receive, open GetIDs Bot.
@BotFather
FreeOfficial
95/ 100
#1 in Bot buildersThe official Telegram bot for creating and managing bots: registers a new bot in a minute, issues the API token, sets commands, description and avatar. Free, English interface, no third-party sign-up.
@GetIDsBot
FreeInline mode
80/ 100
An open-source ID bot: forward a message and it shows the user, origin chat, media details and IDs; reply with /json for the raw Bot API JSON; it even estimates when an account was created. About 30,000 people use it a month, but its developers say it is no longer actively developed.
By the numbers
BotFather is ahead: 95 against 80 out of 100 for GetIDs Bot. BotFather wins on functionality, reliability & speed, popularity & trust, safety & privacy, freshness. Both are free to use.
At a glance
| BotFather | GetIDs Bot | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly users | 8.9M | 29.7K |
| Pricing and limits | Free | Free |
| Languages | EN | EN · RU · DE · MULTI |
| Inline mode | no | yes |
| Mini App | no | no |
| Works in groups | no | yes |
| Works in channels | no | no |
| Accepts voice | no | no |
| Accepts files | no | yes |
| Requires phone number | no | no |
| Requires registration | no | no |
| Shows ads | no | no |
| Official | yes | no |
| Developer | Telegram | wjclub |
| Last check | November 4, 2026 | November 4, 2026 |
Score by criterion
| Criterion | Weight | BotFather | GetIDs Bot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | 25 | 9 | 8 |
| Reliability & speed | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Popularity & trust | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Price & free tier | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Usability | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Safety & privacy | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Freshness | 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Localization | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| No intrusive ads | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 95 | 80 |
Pros and cons
BotFather
- Official, always online, no data beyond your account
- Every bot setting in one place
- Does not build bot logic; you need code or a constructor
GetIDs Bot
- Much more than an ID: media details, JSON, admin list
- Open source, with a public list of the dates it uses
- About 30,000 monthly users
- No longer actively developed, by the developers' own notice
- Account creation date is only an estimate
Frequently asked questions
BotFather or GetIDs Bot: which is better?
BotFather is ahead: 95 against 80 out of 100 for GetIDs Bot. BotFather wins on functionality, reliability & speed, popularity & trust, safety & privacy, freshness. Both are free to use.
Are BotFather and GetIDs Bot free?
BotFather: Free. GetIDs Bot: Free.
Do BotFather and GetIDs Bot work in groups?
BotFather: no. GetIDs Bot: yes.