
BotFather
The 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.
Key features
- Creates bots and issues API tokens
- Sets commands, description, about text and avatar
- Toggles inline mode, group privacy and payments
BotFather
BotFather is the only place where a Telegram bot is born. Send /newbot, choose a display name and a username ending in "bot", and you receive the HTTP API token that any framework or no-code builder needs. Everything else about a bot's public identity is also configured here: the description shown before the first message, the "about" text, the profile picture, the command menu (/setcommands), inline mode and privacy mode for groups.
The bot is maintained by Telegram itself, so it never goes offline and never asks for anything beyond your Telegram account. It is not a builder of logic: to make the bot actually reply you still need code or a constructor service, but every such service starts by asking for the token from BotFather.
How to start
- Open @BotFather and send /newbot
- Enter a display name, then a username ending in bot
- Copy the token into your code or builder
Commands
/newbotCreate a new bot/mybotsManage your bots/setcommandsSet the command menu/tokenShow or regenerate the tokenPricing and limits
Free
Pros / Cons
- 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
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | 25 | 9 / 10 | |
| Reliability & speed | 15 | 10 / 10 | |
| Popularity & trust | 15 | 10 / 10 | |
| Price & free tier | 10 | 10 / 10 | |
| Usability | 10 | 8 / 10 | |
| Safety & privacy | 10 | 10 / 10 | |
| Freshness | 5 | 9 / 10 | |
| Localization | 5 | 6 / 10 | |
| No intrusive ads | 5 | 10 / 10 | |
| Score | 100 | 93.0 |
Alternatives
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Is BotFather free?
Yes. Creating and managing bots costs nothing; only Telegram Premium or paid API tiers are separate products.
Can I create a bot without programming?
You still register it in BotFather, then connect the token to a no-code builder such as those listed in this category.
Technical details
- Inline mode
- Mini App
- Works in groups
- Works in channels
- Accepts voice
- Accepts files
- Requires phone number
- Requires registration
- Shows ads
- Works in Russia without VPN