Messages AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Encrypted Chat Apps like Messages

Messages is described as 'Stay connected to the people and conversations that matter most' and is a popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Messages for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad and Mac apps. The best Messages alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Messages are Pidgin, Wire, Fossify Messages and Molly.

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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1374 likes

    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    218 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Signal vs Messages Comments
    jamiegray
    Positive
    1

    it's safe, secure, cross platform

    Conner Vieira
    Positive
    1

    It works cross platform, is free, open source, and end to end encrypted

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is one of the best security and privacy messaging apps available. And has an easy incredible design

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Signal is Free and Open SourceMessages is Free and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightMessages is not according to our users
  2. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     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.

    120 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
     
  4. Wire icon

    Wire

     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.

    284 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
  7. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 likes

    Encrypted messenger supporting multi-platform access, unlimited group and private chats, file and voice message sharing, decentralized operation, open-source code, custom themes including dark mode, advanced moderation, push notifications, and no advertisements.

    189 FluffyChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
  9. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes

    Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
  10. QKSMS icon

    QKSMS

     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
     
  11. QUIK icon

    QUIK

     20 likes

    QUIK is an open source replacement to the stock messaging app on Android. It is a continuation of QKSMS.

    26 QUIK alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    QUIK screenshot 1
     
  12. Adium icon

    Adium

     338 likes

    Adium is a free and open source instant messaging application for Mac OS X, written using Mac OS Xs Cocoa API, released under the GNU GPL and developed by the Adium team. Based on the libpurple protocol library, Adium can connect you to any number of messaging accounts on any...

    69 Adium alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Adium screenshot 1
     
  13. Messenger icon

    Messenger

     231 likes

    Provides comprehensive communication features including group video calls, voice calls, fast messaging, photo sharing, and location mapping. Access through mobile and web platforms with real-time notifications, ensuring seamless interactions using multimedia tools.

    199 Messenger alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    Messenger screenshot 1
     
  14. Trillian icon

    Trillian

     280 likes

    Trillian is an instant messaging app that works on phones, tablets, and desktops while keeping your chats neatly synchronized between all of them! We think conversation should be easily shared between all of your devices, not trapped as text messages on your phone.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Trillian screenshot 1
     
12 of 59 Messages alternatives