Open Source Messages Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Messages is Signal. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Messages and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Messages are Pidgin, Wire, QKSMS and Conversations.

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 alternatives page was last updated

Messages

Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger

Stay connected to the people and conversations that matter most.

More about Messages

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
208 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
GPLv3
Stickers
Mobile friendly
Secure Chat
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
Pidgin
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
IRC Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Xfce
118 Pidgin alternatives
Pidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more chat networks all at once. It has built-in support for NSS, offering client-to-server message encryption for protocols that support it.
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. VoiP CallsPidgin allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
4. PortablePidgin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Support for Multiple protocols
Supports XMPP
IRC
Multiple languages
Multiple chat protocols
Messages
Xmpp
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
17 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.
SMS Messaging
Material design
MMS Messaging
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
144 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. Privacy focusedConversations is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
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.
Molly
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Android
F-Droid
178 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
Monero exchange
SOCKS proxy client and server
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
175 FluffyChat alternatives
FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.
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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
26 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 registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Simple SMS Messenger without registration.
2. Privacy focusedSimple SMS Messenger is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Dark ModeSimple SMS Messenger supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Ad-freeSimple SMS Messenger doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. LightweightSimple SMS Messenger consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. No TrackingSimple SMS Messenger will not track you or use your personal data.
FOSS
SMS Messaging
Multiple languages
Empathy
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
Linux
BSD
140 Empathy alternatives
Empathy is a messaging program which supports text, voice, video chat, and file transfers over many different protocols. You can tell it about your accounts on all those services and do all your chatting within one application.
Suggest and vote on features
Empathy Features
Unified messaging
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
SIP
Integrated File Sharing
Voice Chat
Discontinued
Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.
Status
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
F-Droid
APK Downloader
174 Status alternatives
Status combines a private messenger, secure crypto wallet, and Ethereum Web3 DApp browser into one powerful communication tool. Chat with friends and growing communities. Buy, sell, store, and exchange digital assets.
Suggest and vote on features
Status Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionStatus has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. DecentralizedStatus is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
3. Privacy focusedStatus is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Blockchain
Peer-To-Peer
Stickers
Desktop Application
Xabber
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Online
Android
F-Droid
137 Xabber alternatives
Open source Jabber (XMPP) client with multi-account support, clean and simple interface. Being both free (as in freedom!) and ad-free, Xabber is designed to be the best Jabber client for Android .
Suggest and vote on features
Xabber Features
Xmpp
Discontinued
The project seems no longer developed since 2019. Last version, 2.6.6, released in October 2019, can be still downloaded from F-Droid, it's no longer available on Google Play Store