Messages Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Messages for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac 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 19 are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Messages are Skype, Pidgin, Wire and Adium.

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Messages alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Group Chat Apps or Video Calling 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 Oct 24, 2023

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.
215 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. Encrypted Connection
11. No Tracking
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.
305 Skype alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
- Group Chat 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.
122 Pidgin alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat 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.
272 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

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?

FluffyChat
FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.
182 FluffyChat alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat 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.
149 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?

BlueBubbles
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.
5 BlueBubbles alternatives
+1
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
- Online
- Mac
- Android
- Linux
- Android Tablet
- Flathub
BlueBubbles Features
IMessage
Text messaging
Show all NaN BlueBubbles features ▾
BlueBubbles VS Messages
Is BlueBubbles a good alternative to Messages?

Status
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.
180 Status alternatives
+4
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- F-Droid
- APK Downloader
Status Features
1. End-to-End Encryption
2. Decentralized
3. Privacy focused
4. Blockchain
5. Peer-To-Peer
6. Stickers
7. Desktop Application
Show all NaN Status features ▾
Status VS Messages
Is Status a good alternative to Messages?

TeleGuard
TeleGuard is the data-secure messenger from Swisscows. TeleGuard encrypts every message and all telephone calls with encryption algorithm currently available: SALSA 20. TeleGuard servers are located in Switzerland, they are not subject to the data protection laws of the EU /...
159 TeleGuard alternatives
+3
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application types
- Encrypted Chat App
- Video Calling App
Platforms
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Mac
- Linux
- Snapcraft
TeleGuard Features
1. End-to-End Encryption
2. Privacy focused
3. Security focused
4. VoiP Calls
5. Ad-free
6. Multiple languages
7. Encrypted Connection
8. Stickers
9. Integrated File Sharing
Show all NaN TeleGuard features ▾
TeleGuard VS Messages
Is TeleGuard a good alternative to Messages?

Sphinx Chat
Sphinx.chat lets you use your lightning node to talk to anyone else who is running lightning and a sphinx compatible chat client.
52 Sphinx Chat alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Group Chat App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
Sphinx Chat Features
Decentralized
Based on Blockchain
Text messaging
Blockchain
Show all NaN Sphinx Chat features ▾
+1
Sphinx Chat VS Messages
Is Sphinx Chat a good alternative to Messages?

Adamant Messenger
The most secure and anonymous messenger, encrypted with Blockchain.
136 Adamant Messenger alternatives
+2
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Top Adamant Messenger Features
1. No Tracking
2. Dark Mode
3. End-to-End Encryption
4. Decentralized
5. Ad-free
6. Privacy focused
7. No registration required
8. Blockchain
9. Anonymous Chat
10. Based on Blockchain
11. Support for TOR
Show all NaN Adamant Messenger features ▾
Adamant Messenger VS Messages
Is Adamant Messenger a good alternative to Messages?