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 Pidgin, Wire, Fossify Messages and Molly.

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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1369 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.

    216 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
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Messages
    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 icon
    Signal icon
    • 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

     1529 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.

    118 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Wire

     315 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.

    282 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
     
  6. Molly icon

    Molly

     46 likes

    Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
     
  7. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 likes

    FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    • Matrix.org
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
  10. QUIK icon

    QUIK

     20 likes

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

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    QUIK screenshot 1
     
  11. 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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Adium screenshot 1
     
  12. 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.

    196 Messenger alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    Messenger screenshot 1
     
  13. 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.

    149 Trillian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Trillian screenshot 1
     
  14. Google Messages icon

    Google Messages

     36 likes

    Messages is Google's communications app for Android to helps send and receive SMS and MMS messages. You can also send group texts as well as your favorite pictures, videos and even audio messages to your contacts.

    37 Google Messages alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • Android Wear
    Google Messages screenshot 1
     
12 of 38 Messages alternatives