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 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, Windows and Web-based apps. The best Messages alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Messages are Skype, Pidgin, Wire and QKSMS.

Messages alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Messages.

Messages

Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger

Stay connected to the people and conversations that matter most.

More about Messages

Messages alternatives page was last updated

Signal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Flathub
Ubuntu
Debian
206 Signal alternatives
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
- - Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Messages.
- - Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Messages.
Suggest and vote on features
Signal Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSignal has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSignal is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeSignal doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Self Destructing MessagesSignal supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. No TrackingSignal will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Dark ModeSignal supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. VoiP CallsSignal allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
8. LightweightSignal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Works OfflineSignal can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Security focused
Private messaging
Encrypted Connection
Mobile friendly
GPLv3
Secure Chat
Stickers
Desktop Application
Based on phone number
Protected by Password
Comments about Signal as a Alternative to Messages
Almost everyone thinks Signal is a great Messages alternative.
jamiegray
it's safe, secure, cross platform
Positive comment •
1

Conner Vieira
It works cross platform, is free, open source, and end to end encrypted
Positive comment •
1

Guest
It is one of the best security and privacy messaging apps available. And has an easy incredible design
Positive comment •
0
Skype
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
BSD
Windows Phone
iPad
Android Wear
PortableApps.com
311 Skype alternatives
Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet. Users can also call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates using Skype credit, premium accounts and subscriptions.
- - Skype is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Messages.
Suggest and vote on features
Skype Features
1. Screen SharingYou can use Skype to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
2. VoiP CallsSkype allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
3. LightweightSkype consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Dark ModeSkype supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Skype using IFTTT.
6. Live Captions TranslationSkype can add captions to a video call, audio messages or multimedia file and translate them in real time.
Microsoft Office integration
Video Conferencing
Multiple languages
Exchange Integration
Secure Chat
Voice messages
Team Messaging
Voice Chat
Messages
Pidgin
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Flathub
PortableApps.com
122 Pidgin alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Pidgin Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPidgin can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Multiple Account supportPidgin support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
3. PortablePidgin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. No TrackingPidgin will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Ad-freePidgin doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. VoiP CallsPidgin allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Support for Multiple protocols
Supports XMPP
IRC
Multiple languages
Xmpp
Multiple chat protocols
Messages
Wire
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
Software as a Service (SaaS)
262 Wire alternatives
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.
- - Wire is the most popular SaaS & Self-Hosted alternative to Messages.
Suggest and vote on features
Wire Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionWire has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. VoiP CallsWire allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
3. Screen SharingYou can use Wire to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Privacy focusedWire is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Multiple Account supportWire support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Security focused
Encrypted calls
Voice Chat
File Sending
Voice messages
WebRTC
Private Chat
Secure Chat
Integrated File Sharing
Secure File Sharing
QKSMS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
18 QKSMS alternatives
QKSMS brings a refreshingly beautiful and responsive Material Design touch to the stale state of text messaging.
Suggest and vote on features
QKSMS Features
1. Dark ModeQKSMS supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Ad-freeQKSMS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingQKSMS will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Privacy focusedQKSMS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
SMS Messaging
MMS Messaging
Material design
Conversations
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
148 Conversations alternatives
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].
Suggest and vote on features
Conversations Features
1. DecentralizedConversations is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionConversations has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. OpenPGPConversations supports OpenPGP, a standard of PGP encryption that is open-source for public use.
4. GPG EncryptionConversations supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
5. LightweightConversations consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Dark ModeConversations supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Ad-freeConversations doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Self Destructing MessagesConversations supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
9. Multiple Account supportConversations support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Image Sharing
Encrypted Connection
Supports XMPP
OMEMO
OTR
Federated
Chat Bot
Intuitive Interface
Xmpp
Secure Chat
Adium
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Mac
69 Adium alternatives
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...
Suggest and vote on features
Adium Features
1. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Adium.
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Supports XMPP
Multiple languages
Tabbed interface
Messages
OTR
Customizable
Discontinued
The last update is from March 2021.
Facebook Messenger
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Android Wear
200 Facebook Messenger alternatives
Facebook Messenger is a faster way to message. Reach friends right on their phones, get and send messages fast, message everyone at once and more.
Suggest and vote on features
Facebook Messenger Features
1. VoiP CallsFacebook Messenger allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
2. Face FilterFacebook Messenger uses augmented reality to overlay visual effects/elements on a live video or image.
3. Expiring StoriesYou can create, view, interact and share temporary stories in Facebook Messenger.
Stickers
Messages
Text messaging
In-app Money Transfer
Private messaging
Trillian
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Team Collaboration Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
iPad
Software as a Service (SaaS)
146 Trillian alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Trillian Features
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Messages
IMAP Support
POP3 Support
Facebook integration
IRC
Molly
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Android
F-Droid
180 Molly alternatives
Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.
Suggest and vote on features
Molly Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionMolly has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. No TrackingMolly will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Privacy focusedMolly is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Secure Chat
Text messaging
SOCKS proxy client and server
Monero exchange
Add a screenshot
FluffyChat
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Flathub
Ubuntu Touch
F-Droid
178 FluffyChat alternatives
FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.
Suggest and vote on features
FluffyChat Features
1. DecentralizedFluffyChat is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionFluffyChat has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedFluffyChat is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Ad-freeFluffyChat doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Dark ModeFluffyChat supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Matrix Protocol
Voice messages
Security focused
Simple SMS Messenger
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
28 Simple SMS Messenger alternatives
A great way to stay in touch with your relatives, by sending both SMS and MMS messages. The app properly handles group messaging too, just like blocking numbers from Android 7+.
Suggest and vote on features
Simple SMS Messenger Features
1. No TrackingSimple SMS Messenger will not track you or use your personal data.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Simple SMS Messenger without registration.
3. Privacy focusedSimple SMS Messenger is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Dark ModeSimple SMS Messenger supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Ad-freeSimple SMS Messenger doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. LightweightSimple SMS Messenger consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
SMS Messaging
FOSS
Multiple languages