ICQ AlternativesInstant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like ICQ

ICQ is described as 'Is one of the oldest instant messengers. First developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis, sold to AOL, sold again and currenly owned by the Russian "mail.ru" group (known for one of the largest social networks)' and is a popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to ICQ for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac and Linux apps. The best ICQ alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like ICQ are Telegram, Element, Pidgin and Tox.

More about ICQ
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
ICQ alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1355 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.

    216 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to ICQ
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Signal is linked to your phone number, unlike ICQ where you obtain an independent number that identifies your account. If I didn't mind sharing personal information like that, I'd just use SMS instead.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ICQ Icon
    Signal icon

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

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

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

    Telegram

     2076 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 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
     
    |
    9

    • Most users think Telegram is a great ICQ alternative.

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

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

    Element

     769 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.

    302 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    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
     

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

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceICQ is Free and Proprietary
    • Element is Privacy focused and LightweightICQ is not according to our users
  5. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1529 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.

    118 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
  6. Tox icon

    Tox

     558 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.

    211 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    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.
     
  7. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     849 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.

    248 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. Zulip icon

    Zulip

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

    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.

    221 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
  11. Utopia icon

    Utopia

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

    Utopia P2P Ecosystem. Utopia is a feature-rich platform that is specifically designed to protect privacy of communication, confidentiality, and security of personal data. Utopia is a decentralized network, with no central server involved in data transmission or storage.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Take advantage of uMail - a secure alternative to classic email.
     
  13. Rakuten Viber icon

    Rakuten Viber

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

    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.

    160 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 1
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 2
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 3
     
12 of 95 ICQ alternatives