Messages AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Instant Messengers

The best Instant Messenger alternative to Messages is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Messages and many of them are Instant Messengers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Instant Messenger alternatives to Messages are Skype, Pidgin, Wire and Fossify SMS Messenger.

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Messages alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Video Calling Apps or Group Chat Apps. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Messages.

Messages

Instant Messenger
Free • Proprietary

Stay connected to the people and conversations that matter most.

More about Messages

Messages alternatives page was last updated Jan 23, 2024

Signal
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.
219 Signal alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
+4
Top Signal Features
1. End-to-End Encryption
2. Encrypted Chat
3. Privacy focused
4. Security focused
5. Ad-free
6. Video Calling
7. Instant Messaging
8. Self Destructing Messages
9. Private messaging
10. No Tracking
11. Encrypted Connection
12. Mobile friendly
Show all NaN Signal features ▾
Signal VS Messages
Is Signal a good alternative to Messages?
Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Messages

jamiegray
it's safe, secure, cross platform
Positive comment •Mar 15, 2019
1
Conner Vieira
It works cross platform, is free, open source, and end to end encrypted
Positive comment •Mar 9, 2020
1
Guest
It is one of the best security and privacy messaging apps available. And has an easy incredible design
Positive comment •Jun 30, 2022
0
- Almost everyone thinks Signal is a great Messages alternative.
- Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Messages.
- Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Messages.
- Signal is Free and Open SourceMessages is Free and Proprietary
- Signal is Privacy focused and Security focusedMessages is not according to our users

Skype
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.
306 Skype alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
+9
Top Skype Features
1. Video Calling
2. Screen Sharing
3. VoiP Calls
4. Microsoft Office integration
5. Lightweight
6. Video Conferencing
7. Ad-free
8. Dark Mode
9. IFTTT Integration
10. Live Captions Translation
11. Voice messages
12. Multiple languages
Show all NaN Skype features ▾
Skype VS Messages
Is Skype a good alternative to Messages?
- Skype is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Messages.
- Skype is Freemium and ProprietaryMessages is Free and Proprietary
- Skype is LightweightMessages is not according to our users

Pidgin
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.
123 Pidgin alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
+4
Top Pidgin Features
1. Support for Multiple protocols
2. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
3. Supports XMPP
4. Multiple Account support
5. IRC
6. Portable
7. No Tracking
8. Ad-free
9. VoiP Calls
10. Multiple languages
11. Xmpp
12. Multiple chat protocols
Show all NaN Pidgin features ▾
Pidgin VS Messages
Is Pidgin a good alternative to Messages?

Wire
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.
276 Wire alternatives
+2
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Top Wire Features
1. End-to-End Encryption
2. Security focused
3. Video Calling
4. Encrypted Chat
5. VoiP Calls
6. Encrypted calls
7. Screen Sharing
8. Privacy focused
9. Multiple Account support
10. WebRTC
11. File Sending
12. Voice Chat
Show all NaN Wire features ▾
Wire VS Messages
Is Wire a good alternative to Messages?
- Wire is the most popular SaaS & Self-Hosted alternative to Messages.
- Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceMessages is Free and Proprietary
- Wire is Security focused and Privacy focusedMessages is not according to our users

Fossify SMS Messenger
Fossify Messenger is your trusted messaging companion, designed to enhance your messaging experience in various ways.
33 Fossify SMS Messenger alternatives
+5
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Instant Messenger
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
- Android Tablet
Top Fossify SMS Messenger Features
1. SMS Messaging
2. No Tracking
3. Text messaging
4. Ad-free
5. Lightweight
6. No registration required
7. Instant Messaging
8. Privacy focused
9. SMS/Text Message Backup
10. Dark Mode
11. Works Offline
12. Support for Themes
Show all NaN Fossify SMS Messenger features ▾
Fossify SMS Messenger VS Messages
Is this a good alternative to Messages?

Molly
Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.
186 Molly alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
Molly Features
1. End-to-End Encryption
2. Secure Chat
3. No Tracking
4. Text messaging
5. Cloud Sync
6. Privacy focused
7. Ad-free
8. Dark Mode
9. SOCKS proxy client and server
10. Monero exchange
Show all NaN Molly features ▾
Molly VS Messages
Is Molly a good alternative to Messages?

Conversations
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].
151 Conversations alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
+4
Top Conversations Features
1. Decentralized
2. End-to-End Encryption
3. Encrypted Chat
4. Image Sharing
5. OpenPGP
6. Lightweight
7. GPG Encryption
8. Dark Mode
9. Ad-free
10. Self Destructing Messages
11. Multiple Account support
12. Privacy focused
Show all NaN Conversations features ▾
Conversations VS Messages
Is Conversations a good alternative to Messages?

Adium
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...
67 Adium alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Instant Messenger
Platforms
- Mac
Adium Features
1. Support for Themes
2. Support for Multiple protocols
3. Xmpp
4. Supports XMPP
5. Multiple languages
6. Tabbed interface
7. Messages
8. OTR
Show all NaN Adium features ▾
Discontinued
The last update is from March 2021.

Adium VS Messages
Is Adium a good alternative to Messages?

Facebook Messenger
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.
201 Facebook Messenger alternatives
+3
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
Platforms
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Android Wear
Facebook Messenger Features
1. VoiP Calls
2. Expiring Stories
3. Face Filter
4. Stickers
5. Messages
6. Text messaging
7. In-app Money Transfer
8. Private messaging
Show all NaN Facebook Messenger features ▾
Facebook Messenger VS Messages
Is Facebook Messenger a good alternative to Messages?

FluffyChat
FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.
185 FluffyChat alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Flathub
- Ubuntu Touch
- F-Droid
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Android Tablet
FluffyChat Features
1. Matrix Protocol
2. Decentralized
3. Voice messages
4. End-to-End Encryption
5. Privacy focused
6. Security focused
7. Ad-free
8. Dark Mode
Show all NaN FluffyChat features ▾
FluffyChat VS Messages
Is FluffyChat a good alternative to Messages?

Trillian
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.
150 Trillian alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Team Collaboration Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- iPad
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
+2
Trillian Features
1. Support for Multiple protocols
2. Xmpp
3. Messages
4. IMAP Support
5. POP3 Support
Show all NaN Trillian features ▾
Trillian VS Messages
Is Trillian a good alternative to Messages?

Beeper Mini
Beeper Mini is a chat app that allows Android users to use Messages and send blue bubble messages to iPhone users.
4 Beeper Mini alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- Instant Messenger
Platforms
- Android
Beeper Mini Features
End-to-End Encryption
IMessage
Messages
Show all NaN Beeper Mini features ▾
+3
Discontinued
The app has been removed from the Play Store, and development has shifted to Beeper
Beeper Mini VS Messages
Is Beeper Mini a good alternative to Messages?
- Beeper Mini is the most popular commercial alternative to Messages.
- Beeper Mini is Paid and ProprietaryMessages is Free and Proprietary