The Best Messenger AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like Messenger

Messenger is described as 'Offers group video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging with photo sharing, real-time notifications, and location mapping for seamless connectivity' and is a very popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Messenger for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, iPad and Mac apps. The best Messenger alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Messenger are Telegram, Element, Discord and Pidgin.

filter to find the best alternatives

Messenger alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Video Calling Apps or Group Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows Phone, Open Source, Kindle Fire, Linux, Group Chat, Symbian S60 and iPhone. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Messenger.
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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1360 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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    5
    49
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Messenger
    Top Positive Comment
    nosborm
    1

    Private. Open. Secure. etc.

    Top Negative Comment
    Paul West
    2

    Again both parties have to have the app as they just dropped SMS

    pelicanowl
    Positive
    2

    I like Signal because it allows me to message people without having to worry about my data being sold

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Messenger Icon
    Signal icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Signal is a great Messenger alternative.

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Messenger.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Messenger.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightMessenger is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2079 likes

    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.

    286 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
     
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    2
    45
    Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Messenger
    brandonc
    Positive
    0

    backed by a non profit (compared to fb's reliance on ad dollars)

    tibi97427
    Positive
    0

    It's tidy, you want to search a link, a picture, a video : with messenger good luck, with telegram it's all organized.

    Messenger Icon
    Telegram icon

    • Most users think Telegram is a great Messenger alternative.

    • Telegram is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Messenger.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Telegram is Lightweight, Privacy focused and Security-focusedMessenger is not according to our users
  4. Element icon

    Element

     771 likes

    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    302 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    15

    • Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Messenger alternative.

    • Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Messenger.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Element is Privacy focused and LightweightMessenger is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Google Chat icon
    Google Chat

    Secure team messaging platform with organized topic-based conversations, real-time collaboration on Docs, Sheets, Slides, integrated calendar scheduling, one-click meetings, shared tasks and files, Google Workspace support, admin...

    https://workspace.google.com
    Learn More
  6. Discord icon

    Discord

     1110 likes

    An integrated platform for text and voice communications. Offers tailored channels for different topics, customizable moderation tools, low latency for fluency, and managed user roles for optimal community facilitation.

    191 Discord alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Desktop UI
     
  7. 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
     
  8. Tox icon

    Tox

     558 likes

    With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.

    211 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
     
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    14
  10. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     849 likes

    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    249 WhatsApp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
     
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    32
  11. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     284 likes

    Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free.

    148 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
  12. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     89 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    69 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3
     
  13. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    160 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
  14. Wire icon

    Wire

     312 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.

    281 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
    Wire screenshot 2
    Wire screenshot 3
     
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    2
    11
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Messenger
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    It supports multiple apps, and has rich chat features and group chats

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It's secure. It doesn't spy on you. It makes money from enterprise customers, no shady business.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Messenger Icon
    Wire icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Wire is a great Messenger alternative.

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to Messenger.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedMessenger is not according to our users
  15. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     265 likes

    Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.

    222 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
12 of 197 Messenger alternatives