Messenger for Desktop Alternatives

Messenger for Desktop is described as 'wrapper for the official client messenger.com. Therefore it works like a regular browser which can only navigate to the messenger.com web app. MFD doesn't touch your messages, account or personal data. All that is handled securely by Facebook' and is a instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Messenger for Desktop for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iPhone. The best alternative is Telegram, which is free. Other great apps like Messenger for Desktop are Element, Pidgin, Conversations and Facebook Messenger.

Messenger for Desktop alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Encrypted Chat Apps or Video Calling Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Messenger for Desktop.

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Messenger for Desktop

Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger

Mac
Windows

Messenger for Desktop is a wrapper for the official client messenger.com. Therefore it works like a regular browser which...

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Telegram
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Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Linux Mobile
Android Wear
PortableApps.com
FreeBSD
257 alternatives to Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app created by former VK creators with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
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Telegram Features
1. LightweightTelegram consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeTelegram doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTelegram has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Privacy focusedTelegram is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Dark ModeTelegram supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. VoiP CallsTelegram allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
7. Multiple Account supportTelegram support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Telegram using IFTTT.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Stickers
Chat Bot
Multi Device Support
Bots
Channels
Secret chats
Integrated File Sharing
Persistent History
Cloud based
Folders
Element
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Cloudron
F-Droid
FLATHUB
266 alternatives to Element
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.
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Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
7. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Ad-freeElement doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Community-based
Per-room avatars
Multiple languages
Custom widgets
Message redaction
Pidgin
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
IRC Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Xfce
117 alternatives to Pidgin
Pidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more chat networks all at once. It has built-in support for NSS, offering client-to-server message encryption for protocols that support it.
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Pidgin Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPidgin can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Multiple Account supportPidgin support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
3. VoiP CallsPidgin allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
4. PortablePidgin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Support for Multiple protocols
Supports XMPP
IRC
Multiple languages
Multiple chat protocols
Messages
Xmpp
Conversations
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
141 alternatives to Conversations
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].
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Conversations Features
1. DecentralizedConversations is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionConversations has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. OpenPGPConversations supports OpenPGP, a standard of PGP encryption that is open-source for public use.
4. GPG EncryptionConversations supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
5. LightweightConversations consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Dark ModeConversations supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Ad-freeConversations doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Self Destructing MessagesConversations supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
9. Privacy focusedConversations is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Image Sharing
Encrypted Connection
Supports XMPP
OMEMO
OTR
Federated
Chat Bot
Intuitive Interface
Xmpp
Secure Chat
Facebook Messenger
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
Group Chat App
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
Windows S
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Android Wear
191 alternatives to Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a faster way to message. Reach friends right on their phones, get and send messages fast, message everyone at once and more.
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Facebook Messenger Features
1. VoiP CallsFacebook Messenger allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
2. Face FilterFacebook Messenger uses augmented reality to overlay visual effects/elements on a live video or image.
3. Expiring StoriesYou can create, view, interact and share temporary stories in Facebook Messenger.
Stickers
Messages
Text messaging
In-app Money Transfer
Private messaging
Adium
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No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Mac
70 alternatives to Adium
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...
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Adium Features
1. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Adium.
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Supports XMPP
Multiple languages
Tabbed interface
Messages
OTR
Customizable
Trillian
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Team Collaboration Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
iPad
142 alternatives to Trillian
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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Trillian Features
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Messages
IMAP Support
POP3 Support
Facebook integration
IRC
Telegram X
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Android
Android Tablet
Telegram
200 alternatives to Telegram X
An alternative Telegram client based on TDLib, with higher speed, slicker animations and experimental features.
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Telegram X Features
1. Ad-freeTelegram X doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Telegram X.
4. VoiP CallsTelegram X allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Integrated File Sharing
Cloud based
Stickers
Bots
Channels
Chat Bot
WeChat
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
Windows S
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
159 alternatives to WeChat
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.
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WeChat Features
In-app Money Transfer
Multiple languages
Sync Contacts
Talk radio
Stickers
People nearby
Voice messages
Based on phone number
Gajim
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Xfce
64 alternatives to Gajim
The goal of Gajim is to provide a full featured and easy to use XMPP client. Gajim works nicely with GNOME, but does not require it to run. It is released under the GNU General Public License.
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Gajim Features
1. DecentralizedGajim is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGajim can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. PGP EncryptionGajim supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
OMEMO
Supports XMPP
Audio Calling
Xmpp
OTR
Tabbed interface
Multiple languages