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, Mac and iPad apps. The best Messenger alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Messenger are Telegram, Element, Pidgin and Tox.

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 EU, Windows Phone, Open Source, Kindle Fire, Linux, Group Chat and Symbian S60. 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

     1377 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.

    220 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    Signal vs Messenger Comments
    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

    3 of 5 comments
    • 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

     2084 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.

    292 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • 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
     
    |
    2
    Telegram vs Messenger Comments
    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.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Telegram is LightweightMessenger is not according to our users
  4. Element icon

    Element

     790 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.

    314 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
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Rambox icon
    Rambox

    A digital workspace organizer that allows you to unify as many applications as you want, all in one place. It is perfect for those who care about productivity while working with many business and personal apps.

    https://rambox.app
    Learn More
  6. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1530 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.

    120 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
     
  7. Tox icon

    Tox

     561 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.

    215 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.
     
  8. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     851 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.

    252 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
     
  10. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     289 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.

    153 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
  11. Wire icon

    Wire

     319 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.

    284 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
     
    |
    2
    Wire vs Messenger Comments
    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.
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedMessenger is not according to our users
  12. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     94 likes

    Open-source messaging platform enabling private, identifier-free chats, encrypted group discussions, file and media sharing, plus audio and video calls. Employs double-ratchet protocol, stores user data on-device, protects metadata, and lets users self-host relay servers.

    70 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Jami

     239 likes

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

    165 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Zulip

     268 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    229 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 199 Messenger alternatives