Open Source Instant Messengers

All apps in Open Source Instant Messengers category. Use the filters below to narrow down your search. 
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  1. Signal icon
     1373 likes

    An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3
    217 alternatives
    4.4
    Very Good98 reviews
  2. Element icon
     782 likes

    A secure collaboration app with end-to-end encryption and interoperability across web, desktop, and mobile. Includes chat, voice, and video calls.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
    Collaboration widgets
    Collaboration and screen sharing
    +1
    Connect with other apps
    309 alternatives
    4.4
    Very Good55 reviews
  3. Matrix icon
     389 likes

    Open protocol for decentralized, end-to-end encrypted communication supporting instant messaging, VoIP, IoT, data persistence, and silos bridging over federated servers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
    Matrix screenshot 1
    169 alternatives
    4.5
    Excellent18 reviews
  4. Pidgin icon
     1530 likes

    Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
    Pidgin chat window
    Contact window
    +4
    For accounts on multiple chat networks
    119 alternatives
    3.8
    Good24 reviews
  5. Tox icon
     560 likes

    With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
    qTox. A Tox client developed in C++ with the Qt framework
    uTox. A Tox client written in C using OS primitives to draw it's interface
    +5
    Ricin. A Tox client written in Vala using the GTK toolkit.
    215 alternatives
    4.2
    Very Good18 reviews
  6. SimpleX Chat icon
     93 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    +5
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3
    68 alternatives
    4.8
    Excellent18 reviews
  7. Stoat Chat icon
     112 likes

    Instant messaging with text, voice, video calling, screen sharing, privacy controls, customizable permissions, moderation, bots, and open-source design.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    User settings page, on "Appearance" tab
    Server view
    Home page of the app
    +2
    Settings page for a role
    51 alternatives
    4.0
    Very Good17 reviews
  8. Wire icon
     318 likes

    Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
    Wire screenshot 1
    Wire screenshot 2
    +2
    Wire screenshot 3
    283 alternatives
    4.1
    Very Good21 reviews
  9. Briar icon
     112 likes

    An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Briar screenshot 1
    Briar screenshot 1
    Briar screenshot 2
    +2
    Briar screenshot 3
    77 alternatives
    4.4
    Very Good16 reviews
  10. Threema icon
     137 likes

    Threema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
    Threema screenshot 1
    Threema screenshot 2
    +5
    Threema screenshot 3
    124 alternatives
    4.7
    Excellent13 reviews
  11. Delta Chat icon
     63 likes

    Uses email as a decentralized chat platform with modern interface, open source code, no central servers, strong privacy controls, and no account signup.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
    Delta Chat screenshot 2
    +1
    Delta Chat screenshot 3
    79 alternatives
  12. Linphone icon
     143 likes

    Linphone is one of the most famous open source softphones in the world. It is fully SIP-based, for all calling, presence and IM features.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iOS Assistant
    iOS Assistant form
    iOS Dial
    +7
    Main page on Windows
    81 alternatives
  13. FluffyChat icon
     37 likes

    Multi-platform encrypted messenger supporting one-to-one and group chats, file and image sharing, decentralized open-source design, and ad-free nonprofit operation.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
    FluffyChat screenshot 2
    +4
    FluffyChat screenshot 3
    188 alternatives
  14. QKSMS icon
     61 likes

    QKSMS brings a refreshingly beautiful and responsive Material Design touch to the stale state of text messaging.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    QKSMS screenshot 1
    QKSMS screenshot 1
    QKSMS screenshot 2
    +5
    QKSMS screenshot 3
    27 alternatives
    3.9
    Good7 reviews