Kaidan AlternativesInstant Messengers and other similar apps like Kaidan

Kaidan is described as 'Simple, user-friendly Jabber/XMPP client providing a modern user interface using Kirigami and QtQuick. The back-end of Kaidan is written in C++ using the QXmpp XMPP client library and Qt 5' and is a instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Kaidan for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iPhone apps. The best Kaidan alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Pidgin or Tox. Other great apps like Kaidan are WhatsApp, HexChat, Conversations and Adium.

Kaidan iconKaidan
  4
  • ...

Kaidan is a simple, user-friendly Jabber/XMPP client providing a modern user interface using Kirigami and QtQuick. The...

More about Kaidan
More about Kaidan
Kaidan alternatives page was last updated May 19, 2025
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. Element icon

    Element

     720 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.

    303 Element alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Video calls for desktop and mobile

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design

    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.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Cross-Platform
    12.  Dark Mode

    Element VS Kaidan

     

    • Element is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Kaidan.

    • Element is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Kaidan.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceKaidan is Free and Open Source
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedKaidan is not according to our users
  2. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1522 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.

    122 Pidgin alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

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

    Top Pidgin Features

    1.  Support for Multiple protocols
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    4.  Multiple Account support
    5.  IRC
    6.  Portable
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  VoiP Calls
    10.  Multiple languages
    11.  Multiple chat protocols
    12.  Messages

    Pidgin VS Kaidan

     
  4. Tox icon

    Tox

     551 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.

    213 Tox alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    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.

    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.  No Tracking
    8.  AES-256 Encryption
    9.  Screen Sharing
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Secure Chat
    12.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing

    Tox VS Kaidan

     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Zoho Cliq icon
    Zoho Cliq

    Zoho Cliq simplifies your team communication with organized conversations, information that's easy to find and by connecting to the tools you love. Transform ideas into reality with your team. With channels, your team communi...

    https://www.zoho.com
    Learn More
  6. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     843 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.

    253 WhatsApp alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play
    • iPad
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
    WhatsApp screenshot 2
    WhatsApp screenshot 3

    Top WhatsApp Features

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

    WhatsApp VS Kaidan

     
  7. HexChat icon

    HexChat

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

    HexChat is an IRC client based on XChat for Linux , but unlike XChat it’s completely free for both Windows and Unix-like systems.

    66 HexChat alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    HexChat screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The version 2.16.2 is the final version of the software. The author announced that "The project has largely been unmaintained for years now and nobody else stepped up to do that work."

    HexChat Features

    1.  IRC
    2.  Portable
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Proxy support

    HexChat VS Kaidan

     
  8. Conversations icon

    Conversations

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

    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].

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Intuitive Interface

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    5.  Image Sharing
    6.  OMEMO
    7.  OpenPGP
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  GPG Encryption
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Self Destructing Messages
    12.  Dark Mode

    Conversations VS Kaidan

     
  10. Adium icon

    Adium

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

    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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Adium screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The last update is from March 2021.

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    2.  Support for Multiple protocols
    3.  Multiple languages
    4.  Tabbed interface
    5.  Messages
    6.  OTR

    Adium VS Kaidan

     
  11. Trillian icon

    Trillian

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

    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.

    153 Trillian alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Trillian screenshot 1

    Trillian Features

    1.  Support for Multiple protocols
    2. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    3.  Messages
    4.  IMAP Support
    5.  POP3 Support

    Trillian VS Kaidan

     

    • Trillian is the most popular SaaS alternative to Kaidan.

    • Trillian is Freemium and ProprietaryKaidan is Free and Open Source
  12. Messenger icon

    Messenger

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

    Provides comprehensive communication features including group video calls, voice calls, fast messaging, photo sharing, and location mapping. Access through mobile and web platforms with real-time notifications, ensuring seamless interactions using multimedia tools.

    203 Messenger alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    Messenger screenshot 1
    Messenger screenshot 2
    Messenger screenshot 3

    Messenger Features

    1.  VoiP Calls
    2.  Face Filter
    3.  Expiring Stories
    4.  Stickers
    5.  Messages
    6.  Text messaging
    7.  In-app Money Transfer
    8.  Private messaging

    Messenger VS Kaidan

     
  13. Psi XMPP Client icon

    Psi XMPP Client

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

    Psi is an XMPP client designed for experienced users. It is highly portable and runs on GNU/Linux, MS Windows, macOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD and Haiku.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Psi XMPP Client screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  VoiP Calls
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Multiple Account support
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Decentralized
    8. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    9.  Support for Multiple protocols
    10.  OTR

    Psi XMPP Client VS Kaidan

     
  14. Empathy icon

    Empathy

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

    Empathy is a messaging program which supports text, voice, video chat, and file transfers over many different protocols. You can tell it about your accounts on all those services and do all your chatting within one application.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Empathy screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Empathy Features

    1.  Unified messaging
    2.  Support for Multiple protocols
    3. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    4.  SIP
    5.  Integrated File Sharing
    6.  Voice Chat

    Empathy VS Kaidan

     
  15. Dino icon

    Dino

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

    Dino is a modern open-source chat client for the desktop. It focuses on providing a clean and reliable Jabber/XMPP experience while having your privacy in mind. Using GTK+/Vala.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    Dino screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Clean design

    Features

    1. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  OMEMO
    4.  Multiple Account support
    5.  Federated
    6.  Community-based
    7.  Decentralized
    8.  OpenPGP
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Real time collaboration
    11.  File Sending
    12.  Team Messaging

    Dino VS Kaidan

     
12 of 79 Kaidan alternatives