Messenger Alternatives

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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Messenger alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. RetroShare icon
     163 likes

    Open source, decentralized platform enabling encrypted chat, secure voice and video calls, anonymous file sharing with swarming, censorship-resistant forums, channels, link sharing, and offline messaging. Uses OpenPGP and OpenSSL for robust privacy and security.

    141 RetroShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • OpenPGP
     
  2. Delta Chat icon
     67 likes

    Provides a chat experience over email, with all messages and contacts stored on user devices, open source code, group media support, and compatibility with any provider. No central servers, no tracking, works without SIM, and can be used by anyone just via email.

    80 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
     
  3. Rakuten Viber icon
     335 likes

    Offers secure messaging with end-to-end encryption, unlimited free calls, group chats for up to 250 members, rich media sharing, emoji reactions, AR lenses, self-destruct messages, affordable international calls, community channels, and robust privacy across devices.

    164 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
     
  4. Echoed icon
     22 likes

    Lightweight communication platform with unlimited channels, seamless voice and video, screen sharing, private file sharing, advanced task and calendar tools, robust privacy features, emoji and thread support, and multi-platform efficiency for gaming or team communities.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
     
  5. Linphone icon
     143 likes

    Linphone is one of the most famous open source softphones in the world. It is fully SIP-based, for all calling, presence and IM features.

    81 Linphone alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  6. Conversations icon
     103 likes

    Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].

    157 Conversations alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
     
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    1
    Conversations vs Messenger Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Has End-to-End encryption by default. Is decentral/federated so not to block or shutdown.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Conversations is Free and Open SourceMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Conversations is Privacy focused and LightweightMessenger is not according to our users
  7. Rambox icon
     139 likes

    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.

    36 Rambox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
     
    |
    1
    Rambox vs Messenger Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    Rambox doesn't provide any chat services itself, it only wraps other services (including Facebook Messenger) in a nice UI.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Rambox is Freemium and ProprietaryMessenger is Free and Proprietary
    • Rambox is CustomizableMessenger is not according to our users
  8. Adium icon
     338 likes

    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...

    69 Adium alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  9. Franz icon
     120 likes

    Centralize multiple chat and messaging services in one customizable interface, organize workspaces, receive synchronized notifications, manage multiple accounts per service, and easily access popular platforms on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Privacy controls included.

    71 Franz alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
    |
    1
    Franz vs Messenger Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Franz is a wrapper around multiple chat apps, including Facecbook Messenger. It doesn't provide a chat service itself.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Franz is Freemium and Open SourceMessenger is Free and Proprietary
  10. Trillian icon
     280 likes

    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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  11. WeChat icon
     109 likes

    WeChat is a complete mobile communication and private social networking app. Free, cross-platform, and full-featured, WeChat is the best way to keep in touch with everyone you care about.

    147 WeChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Linux
    • Flathub
     
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