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

Facebook 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 Facebook Messenger for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows and iPad apps. The best Facebook Messenger alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Facebook Messenger are Telegram, Element, Discord and Tox.

filter to find the best alternatives

Facebook Messenger alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Video Calling Apps or Group Chat 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 Facebook Messenger.
Facebook Messenger iconFacebook Messenger
  230
  • ...

Offers group video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging with photo sharing, real-time notifications, and location mapping for seamless connectivity.

More about Facebook Messenger
More about Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger alternatives page was last updated Nov 28, 2024
  Suggest Alternatives
  1. Signal icon
    Signal icon

    Signal

     1249 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    Signal screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  Mobile friendly
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Desktop Application
    12.  Stickers
    Signal iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Signal VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Signal a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Facebook Messenger
     
       
    nosborm

    Private. Open. Secure. etc.

    Top positive comment •Oct 7, 2021
    1
    Paul West

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

    Top negative comment •Nov 1, 2022
    2
    pelicanowl

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

    Positive comment •Jul 29, 2022
    2
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Facebook Messenger Icon
    Signal icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Signal is a great Facebook Messenger alternative.

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

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

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceFacebook Messenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedFacebook Messenger is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon
    Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2040 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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...

    293 Telegram alternatives
    Telegram Desktop

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
    +9
    Telegram iOS #3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Video Calling
    8.  Multi Device Support
    9.  Channels
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Bots
    12.  Secret chats
    Telegram iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Telegram VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Telegram a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
    Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Facebook Messenger
     
    brandonc

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

    Positive comment •Oct 15, 2017
    0
    tibi97427

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

    Positive comment •Jan 6, 2021
    0
    Facebook Messenger Icon
    Telegram icon

    • Most users think Telegram is a great Facebook Messenger alternative.

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

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryFacebook Messenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Telegram is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFacebook Messenger is not according to our users
  4. Element icon
    Element icon

    Element

     704 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    299 Element alternatives
    Video calls for desktop and mobile

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Collaboration widgets
    Collaboration and screen sharing
    +1
    Connect with other apps

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Federated
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Encrypted Chat
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Federation
    10.  Direct Messaging
    11.  Cloud Hosting
    12.  Simple installation
    Element iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Element VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Element a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     

    • Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Facebook Messenger alternative.

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

    • Element is Freemium and Open SourceFacebook Messenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedFacebook Messenger is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    RINGR icon

    RINGR

    Perfectly clear broadcast and podcast audio recordings: record with anyone, anywhere, from any mobile device. RINGR is a better way to record high quality.

    http://www.ringr.com
    Learn More
  6. Discord icon
    Discord icon

    Discord

     1064 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    183 Discord alternatives
    Discord screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Discord screenshot 1
    Discord screenshot 2
    +7
    Discord screenshot 3

    Top Discord Features

    1.  Screen Sharing
    2.  VoiP Calls
    3.  Video Calling
    4.  Multi Channel
    5.  Text chat
    6.  Bots
    7.  Voice Chat
    8.  Multiple Servers
    9.  Push to talk
    10.  Text to Speech
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Two-factor Authentication
    Discord iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Discord VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Discord a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
  7. Tox icon
    Tox icon

    Tox

     546 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    212 Tox alternatives
    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    qTox. A Tox client developed in C++ with the Qt framework
    uTox. A Tox client written in C using OS primitives to draw it's interface
    +5
    Ricin. A Tox client written in Vala using the GTK toolkit.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  End-to-End Encryption
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Screen Sharing
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  AES-256 Encryption
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Client side encryption
    12.  Dark Mode
    Tox iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Tox VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Tox a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
  8. Pidgin icon
    Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1519 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    123 Pidgin alternatives
    Pidgin screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin chat window
    Contact window
    +4
    For accounts on multiple chat networks

    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
    Pidgin iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Pidgin VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Pidgin a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
  10. WhatsApp icon
    WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     842 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    251 WhatsApp alternatives
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
    WhatsApp screenshot 2
    +2
    WhatsApp screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Wear

    Top WhatsApp Features

    1.  Mobile friendly
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Custom Backgrounds
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Two-factor Authentication
    7.  Picture in Picture
    8.  Expiring Stories
    9.  Support for @mentions
    10.  Screen Sharing
    11.  Multiple Account support
    12.  Passkey Support
    WhatsApp iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    WhatsApp VS Facebook Messenger

    Is WhatsApp a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
  11. Jitsi Meet icon
    Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     253 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    145 Jitsi Meet alternatives
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Browser-based
    2.  Video Conferencing
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Screen Sharing
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Encrypted Chat
    8.  Remote Work
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Stream audio
    11.  Unlimited users
    12.  WebRTC
    Jitsi Meet iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Jitsi Meet VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Jitsi Meet a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
  12. Jami icon
    Jami icon

    Jami

     224 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

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

    162 Jami alternatives
    Jami video conference OS X

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami conference call Linux
    Jami screensharing Linux
    +9
    Jami instant message on mobile device

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Video Conferencing
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Video Calling
    6.  Encrypted Chat
    7.  Multi Platform
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  SIP client
    10.  Screen Sharing
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Multiple Account support
    Jami iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Jami VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Jami a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
  13. Wire icon
    Wire icon

    Wire

     306 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    279 Wire alternatives
    Wire screenshot 1
    Wire screenshot 2
    +2
    Wire screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Video Calling
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  VoiP Calls
    5.  Encrypted calls
    6.  Screen Sharing
    7.  Multiple Account support
    8.  WebRTC
    9.  Secure File Sharing
    10.  Voice Chat
    11.  Voice messages
    Wire iconFacebook Messenger Icon

    Wire VS Facebook Messenger

    Is Wire a good alternative to Facebook Messenger?
     
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Facebook Messenger
     
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Mar 22, 2018
    -1
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Sep 23, 2019
    1
    Facebook Messenger Icon
    Wire icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Wire is a great Facebook Messenger alternative.

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to Facebook Messenger.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceFacebook Messenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedFacebook Messenger is not according to our users
10 of 202 Facebook Messenger alternatives