Pidgin Alternatives

Pidgin is described as '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' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Pidgin for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Linux, Windows, Online / Web-based and Android. The best alternative is Jitsi Desktop, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Pidgin are Matrix.org, Jami, SeaMonkey and Utopia.

Pidgin 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 Pidgin.

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Pidgin

1502

Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger

Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Xfce

Pidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more...

Learn more about Pidgin

Jitsi Desktop
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Web Conferencing Tool
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
Self-Hosted
71 alternatives to Jitsi Desktop
Jitsi Desktop (previously SIP Communicator) is a legacy audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption, precedessor of Jitsi Meet .
Suggest and vote on features
Jitsi Desktop Features
1. Privacy focusedJitsi Desktop is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Jitsi Desktop without registration.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsJitsi Desktop can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Multiple Account supportJitsi Desktop support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
5. Desktop SharingJitsi Desktop enables you to share your screen with other people in the same office or working remotely.
Video Conferencing
SIP
Support for Multiple protocols
Live Meeting
SIP client
Web-Based
Unlimited users
Voice Chat
WebRTC
Audio Conferencing
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

Jitsi Desktop vs Pidgin opinions
Most users think Jitsi Desktop is a great alternative to Pidgin.
Guest
It's only focused on video chat, no more Xmpp Support
Negative comment•
3

Guest
it does not support Jabber/XMPP anymore
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Jitsi is now a video-chat only application, with no support for XMPP/Jabber functionality.
Negative comment•
1
Matrix.org
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
WebRTC
Python
JavaScript
Go (Programming Language)
Cloudron
Java
Perl
131 alternatives to Matrix.org
Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.
Suggest and vote on features
Matrix.org Features
1. DecentralizedMatrix.org is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionMatrix.org has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedMatrix.org is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Ad-freeMatrix.org doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. No TrackingMatrix.org will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Multiple Account supportMatrix.org support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Matrix.org simultaneously.
Federation
Distributed
Security focused
Spaces
Chat Bot
Voice Chat
Support for Multiple protocols
WebRTC
Server side history
Matrix.org vs Pidgin opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
alttojb
Matrix does allow multi-protocol chat via "bridges". https://matrix.org/bridges/
Positive comment•
0

Guest
It's not a universal messaging platform
Negative comment•
-1
Jami
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
140 alternatives to Jami
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Suggest and vote on features
Jami Features
1. DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. No TrackingJami will not track you or use your personal data.
Video Conferencing
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
SIP client
Team Messaging
Multiple languages
Distributed
SIP
Intercom Support
Voice Chat
Jami vs Pidgin opinions
This alternative is disputed. Jami is still a legitimate alternative to Pidgin, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
Pidgin more focused on text and mutiprotocol messaging. While Ring more focused on a distributed non-multiprotocol service.
Negative comment•
4
SeaMonkey
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Web Browser
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
250 alternatives to SeaMonkey
Web-browser, advanced e-mail, newsgroup and feed client, IRC chat, and HTML editing in one application. Itis built on the open source Mozilla Gecko engine, the same code which underlies Thunderbird and is the base for the Firefox browser.
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SeaMonkey Features
1. WYSIWYG SupportSeaMonkey integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
2. Privacy focusedSeaMonkey is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. LightweightSeaMonkey consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSeaMonkey can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
5. PortableSeaMonkey can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
6. Ad-freeSeaMonkey doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Integrated Email Client
Built-in RSS reader
Add-ons
Built-in Download Manager
Customizable
Support for Firefox extensions
Modular System
Utopia
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
41 alternatives to Utopia
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.
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Utopia Features
1. No TrackingUtopia will not track you or use your personal data.
2. DecentralizedUtopia is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
3. AES-256 EncryptionUtopia has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
4. VoiP CallsUtopia allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Encrypted Email
P2P Network
Own crypto currency (CRP)
Multiple languages
In-built Cryptocurrency Cryptons (CRP)
App lock option
Encrypted database
Integrated Web Browser
Todoist integration
In-built voice-synthesizer
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
Conversations vs Pidgin opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Schnatt_App
very good Alternative if you seek a client for android
Positive comment•
3
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
141 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.
Suggest and vote on features
Trillian Features
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Messages
IMAP Support
POP3 Support
Facebook integration
IRC
Trillian vs Pidgin opinions
Almost everyone thinks Trillian is a great alternative to Pidgin.
Guest
Pidgen supports multiple accounts from multiple services, while this is a single service. So instead of allowing you to use all your existing accounts it requires you to use their account. The beauty of Pidgen is that you can connect with your friends using the service they use instead of trying to sell them on the service you want to use.
Negative comment•
-17
Facebook Messenger
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling 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.
Suggest and vote on features
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
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
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...
Suggest and vote on features
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
Adium vs Pidgin opinions
Most users think Adium is a great alternative to Pidgin.
myuseraccount
Good third-party protocol support, simple user interface.
Positive comment•
0

antoniobeana
Has the inactivity detector and is setting me as away when I am not in front of computer.
Positive comment•
1
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
Gajim vs Pidgin opinions
Guest
Supports more XMPP features and has it already integrated in the base.

Pidgin needs a lot of plugin to have a similar support for features.
Positive comment•
-1

Guest
It's a Jabber client only, not a multi-protocol / multi-channel chat client. Similar to Pidgin on it's root purpose can only by another multi-protocol client. Gajim is not.
Negative comment•
3