Kik Alternatives for Linux

Kik is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Kik and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Kik are Telegram, Element, Tox and Wire.

filter to find the best alternatives

Kik 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 Kik.
Kik iconKik
  56
  • ...

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.

More about Kik
More about Kik
Kik alternatives page was last updated Jun 4, 2023
  Suggest Alternatives
  1. Signal icon
    Signal icon

    Signal

     1230 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.

    221 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.  Secure Chat
    Signal iconKik Icon

    Signal VS Kik

    Is Signal a good alternative to Kik?
     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Kik
     
    Guest

    It is encrypted, highly flexible and best, lets you set times of expiration of any messages to permanently and totally eliminate them.

    Positive comment •Apr 4, 2020
    0
    Kik Icon
    Signal icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Signal is a great Kik alternative.

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

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

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

    Telegram

     2031 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...

    290 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 Android #8
    Telegram Android Wear #1
    +9
    Telegram Android Wear #2

    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 iconKik Icon

    Telegram VS Kik

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

    doesn't require a smartphone

    Positive comment •Oct 15, 2017
    0
    arndtadler

    other than with kik you need a thelephone-number in order to use Telegramm. For Kik you can just choose an id.

    Negative comment •May 10, 2018
    -4
    Kik Icon
    Telegram icon

    • Most users think Telegram is a great Kik alternative.

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

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryKik is Free and Proprietary
    • Telegram is Lightweight and Privacy focusedKik is not according to our users
  4. Element icon
    Element icon

    Element

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

    Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.

    295 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.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Cloud Hosting
    12.  Simple installation
    Element iconKik Icon

    Element VS Kik

    Is Element a good alternative to Kik?
     

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

    • Element is Freemium and Open SourceKik is Free and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedKik is not according to our users
  5. Tox icon
    Tox icon

    Tox

     547 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
    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.  No registration required
    6.  Multiplatform
    7.  Screen Sharing
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  AES-256 Encryption
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Client side encryption
    12.  Dark Mode
    Tox iconKik Icon

    Tox VS Kik

    Is Tox a good alternative to Kik?
     
  6. Wire icon
    Wire icon

    Wire

     307 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.

    281 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 iconKik Icon

    Wire VS Kik

    Is Wire a good alternative to Kik?
     

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to Kik.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceKik is Free and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedKik is not according to our users
  7. SimpleX Chat icon
    SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

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

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    57 SimpleX Chat alternatives
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    +5
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Decentralized
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Multiple Account support
    9.  Self Destructing Messages
    10.  Voice messages
    11.  VoiP Calls
    12.  No Tracking
    SimpleX Chat iconKik Icon

    SimpleX Chat VS Kik

    Is SimpleX Chat a good alternative to Kik?
     
  9. Zulip icon
    Zulip icon

    Zulip

     202 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.

    235 Zulip alternatives
    Zulip screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    Zulip screenshot 1
    Zulip screenshot 2
    +4
    Zulip screenshot 3

    Top Zulip Features

    1.  Threaded Conversations
    2.  Team Collaboration
    3.  Support for Hotkeys
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Chat Bot
    8.  Integrated File Sharing
    9.  Secure Chat
    10.  Third party integrations
    11. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    12.  Live topics
    Zulip iconKik Icon

    Zulip VS Kik

    Is Zulip a good alternative to Kik?
     
  10. FluffyChat icon
    FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

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

    FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.

    192 FluffyChat alternatives
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
    FluffyChat screenshot 2
    FluffyChat screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Matrix Protocol
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Voice messages
    4.  Encrypted Chat
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Two-factor Authentication
    10.  Multiple Account support
    11.  VoiP Calls
    FluffyChat iconKik Icon

    FluffyChat VS Kik

    Is FluffyChat a good alternative to Kik?
     
  11. Empathy icon
    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.

    139 Empathy alternatives
    Empathy screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    chatroom - conference
    call

    Empathy Features

    1.  Unified messaging
    2.  Support for Multiple protocols
    3.  Xmpp
    4.  SIP
    5.  Integrated File Sharing
    6.  Voice Chat
    Discontinued

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

    Empathy iconKik Icon

    Empathy VS Kik

    Is Empathy a good alternative to Kik?
     
  12. Status icon
    Status icon

    Status

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

    Status combines a private messenger, secure crypto wallet, and Ethereum Web3 DApp browser into one powerful communication tool. Chat with friends and growing communities. Buy, sell, store, and exchange digital assets.

    187 Status alternatives
    Status screenshot 1
    Status screenshot 2
    +4
    Status screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • F-Droid
    • APK Downloader

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Blockchain
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Stickers
    6.  Desktop Application
    Status iconKik Icon

    Status VS Kik

    Is Status a good alternative to Kik?
     
  13. Speek! icon
    Speek! icon

    Speek!

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

    Speek! is the first messenger that is anonymous and censorship-resistant by design. Speek! messenger encrypts all messages and is secure, private and decentralized.

    87 Speek! alternatives
    Speek! screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    Speek! screenshot 1
    Speek! screenshot 2
    +1
    Speek! screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Serverless
    5.  Anticensorship
    6.  Anonymous Chat
    7.  Peer-To-Peer
    Discontinued

    The latest version (1.7.0) is from July 2022.

    Speek! iconKik Icon

    Speek! VS Kik

    Is Speek! a good alternative to Kik?
     
  14. WeChat icon
    WeChat icon

    WeChat

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

    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.

    166 WeChat alternatives
    WeChat screenshot 1
    WeChat screenshot 2
    +2
    WeChat screenshot 3

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    WeChat Features

    1.  In-app Money Transfer
    2.  Multiple languages
    3.  Sync Contacts
    4.  Talk radio
    5.  Stickers
    6.  People nearby
    7.  Voice messages
    WeChat iconKik Icon

    WeChat VS Kik

    Is WeChat a good alternative to Kik?
     
12 of 28 Kik alternatives