Messages Alternatives for Linux

Messages is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative 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 16 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Messages are Skype, Pidgin, Wire and Trillian.

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

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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
204 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
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
307 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
Voice messages
Video Conferencing
Multiple languages
Exchange Integration
Secure Chat
Voice Chat
Team Messaging
Messages
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)
259 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
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)
144 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
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
174 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
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
173 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
Adamant Messenger
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
140 Adamant Messenger alternatives
The most secure and anonymous messenger, encrypted with Blockchain.
Suggest and vote on features
Adamant Messenger Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionAdamant Messenger has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. DecentralizedAdamant Messenger is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Adamant Messenger without registration.
Support for TOR
Blockchain
Anonymous Chat
Based on Blockchain
Kaidan
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Linux
Android
Ubuntu Touch
Plasma Mobile
80 Kaidan alternatives
Kaidan is a simple, user-friendly Jabber/XMPP client providing a modern user interface using Kirigami and QtQuick. The back-end of Kaidan is written in C++ using the QXmpp XMPP client library and Qt 5.
Suggest and vote on features
Kaidan Features
Xmpp
Integrated File Sharing
Voice messages
BlueBubbles
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
Online
Mac
Android
Linux
Android Tablet
Flathub
4 BlueBubbles alternatives
BlueBubbles is an open-source and cross-platform ecosystem of apps aimed to bring iMessage to Android, Windows, Linux, and the Web! With BlueBubbles, you'll be able to send messages, media, and much more to your friends and family.
Suggest and vote on features
BlueBubbles Features
IMessage
Text messaging
Quaternion
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
48 Quaternion alternatives
Quaternion is a cross-platform Qt5-based desktop IM client for Matrix, a reference desktop application using libQMatrixClient. Source code, issue tracker, roadmap etc. can be found at GitHub. Releases (with links to cross-platform source code archives, as well as binaries for...
Suggest and vote on features
Quaternion Features
1. Privacy focusedQuaternion is considered a privacy friendly alternative.