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iChat Alternatives

iChat is described as '(formerly iChat AV) is an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MobileMe, ICQ and XMPP client by Apple Inc. for their Mac OS X operating system. Using a Jabber-like protocol and Bonjour for user discovery, it also allows for LAN communication' and is a instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 10 alternatives to iChat for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Online / Web-based, Android and iPhone. The best alternative is Jitsi Desktop, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like iChat are Trillian, Adium, LINE and Kik.

iChat alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Video Calling Apps or Group Chat Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of iChat.
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iChat iconiChat
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  • Mac

iChat (formerly iChat AV) is an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MobileMe, ICQ and XMPP client by Apple Inc. for their Mac OS X...

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  1. Jitsi Desktop (previously SIP Communicator) is a legacy audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption, precedessor of Jitsi Meet .

    ⚫︎ Privacy focusedJitsi Desktop is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    ⚫︎ No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Jitsi Desktop without registration.
    ⚫︎ Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsJitsi Desktop can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    ⚫︎ Multiple Account supportJitsi Desktop support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
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    Discontinued

    Jitsi Desktop is not actively developed anymore: last version, released in October 2017, can be still downloaded from GitHub. Its successor is Jitsi Meet icon Jitsi Meet

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  2. Trillian icon

    Trillian

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad

    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.

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  4. 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.

    ⚫︎ CustomizableAdium is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
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    Screenshot
  5. LINE icon

    LINE

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Google Chrome

    LINE is a Japanese proprietary application for instant messaging on smartphones and PCs. Line users exchange text messages, graphics, video and audio media, make free VoIP calls, and hold free audio or video conferences.

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    Screenshot
  6. Kik icon

    Kik

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    • Free • Proprietary
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Kindle Fire

    Kik is way more than just messaging. It’s the easiest way to connect with your friends, stay in the loop, and explore – all through chat. No phone numbers, just pick a username.

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    Screenshot
  8. Psi+ icon

    Psi+

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Psi is a cross-platform powerful XMPP client designed for experienced users.

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    Screenshot
  9. Zello icon

    Zello

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    • Free Personal • Proprietary
    • Windows
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Windows Phone

    The application is a push-to-talk (PTT) walkie-talkie for consumers and business and available for Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Windows PC, rugged mobile devices and two-way radios.

    ⚫︎ LightweightZello consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
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    Screenshot
  10. Paltalk icon

    Paltalk

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Kindle Fire

    Paltalk is an instant messaging service that enables users to communicate via internet chat, voice and video chat. It offers chat rooms and the ability for users to create their own public virtual chat room.

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  11. FaceFlow icon

    FaceFlow

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Online
    • Blackberry 10

    FaceFlow is a free web-based application for video calling and group video calling. It also offers additional features such as chat rooms.

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    Random chat
  12. Tango icon

    Tango

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Tango allows you to easily connect with friends & family or make new friends. Make video & voice calls, send text messages, play games, send music messages powered by Spotify and more all for free.

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    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 17 alternatives