Pidgin AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Instant Messengers

The best Instant Messenger alternative to Pidgin is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Matrix. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Pidgin and loads of them are Instant Messengers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Instant Messenger alternatives to Pidgin are Jami, Beeper, Element X and Trillian.

filter to find the best alternatives

Pidgin alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Android + Free, Linux and iPhone. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Pidgin.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     766 likes
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    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.

    301 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
     
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    8
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Guest
    Negative
    9

    Pidgin is a universal IM client. Riot is a Matrix client with integrations providing weak bridging for other protocols.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pidgin Icon
    Element icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Element is a legitimate Pidgin alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

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

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

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourcePidgin is Free and Open Source
    • Element is Privacy focused and LightweightPidgin is not according to our users
  2. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     380 likes
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    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.

    165 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    2
    Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Pidgin
    alttojb
    Positive
    0

    Matrix does allow multi-protocol chat via "bridges". https://matrix.org/bridges/

    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    It's not a universal messaging platform

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pidgin Icon
    Matrix icon

    • Some users think Matrix is a great Pidgin alternative, some don't.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Matrix is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightPidgin is not according to our users
  4. Jitsi Desktop icon

    Jitsi Desktop

     490 likes
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    Jitsi Desktop (previously SIP Communicator) is a legacy audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption, precedessor of Jitsi Meet .

    78 Jitsi Desktop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Contact list
     
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    37
    Comments about Jitsi Desktop as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    It's only focused on video chat, no more Xmpp Support

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Jitsi is now a video-chat only application, with no support for XMPP/Jabber functionality.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    it does not support Jabber/XMPP anymore

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pidgin Icon
    Jitsi Desktop icon

    • Most users think Jitsi Desktop is a great Pidgin alternative.

    • Jitsi Desktop is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Jitsi Desktop is Privacy focusedPidgin is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Google Chat icon
    Google Chat

    Secure team messaging platform with organized topic-based conversations, real-time collaboration on Docs, Sheets, Slides, integrated calendar scheduling, one-click meetings, shared tasks and files, Google Workspace support, admin...

    https://workspace.google.com
    Learn More
  6. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes
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    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    160 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    1
    Comments about Jami as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    Pidgin more focused on text and mutiprotocol messaging. While Ring more focused on a distributed non-multiprotocol service.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pidgin Icon
    Jami icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Jami is a legitimate Pidgin alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Jami is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Jami is Privacy focusedPidgin is not according to our users
  7. Beeper icon

    Beeper

     74 likes
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    Access all your messaging in one place with a universal app connecting WhatsApp, Messenger, and more across Android, iOS, and desktop. Enjoy real-time sync and intuitive management.

    21 Beeper alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Chrome OS
    Beeper screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Beeper as an Alternative to Pidgin
    belisimato
    Positive
    0

    Unifies text communication into one inbox

    Pidgin Icon
    Beeper icon
    • Beeper is Freemium and ProprietaryPidgin is Free and Open Source
    • Beeper is Privacy focusedPidgin is not according to our users
  10. Trillian icon

    Trillian

     280 likes
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    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.

    149 Trillian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Trillian screenshot 1
     
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    21
    Comments about Trillian as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Guest
    Negative
    -17

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pidgin Icon
    Trillian icon

    • Most users think Trillian is a great Pidgin alternative.

    • Trillian is the most popular SaaS alternative to Pidgin.

    • Trillian is Freemium and ProprietaryPidgin is Free and Open Source
  11. Adium icon

    Adium

     338 likes
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    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...

    68 Adium alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Adium screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about Adium as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Mister Hutchinson
    Positive
    0

    Good third-party protocol support, simple user interface.

    antoniobeana
    Positive
    1

    Has the inactivity detector and is setting me as away when I am not in front of computer.

    Pidgin Icon
    Adium icon

    • Most users think Adium is a great Pidgin alternative.

    • Adium is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Adium is CustomizablePidgin is not according to our users
  12. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes
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    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].

    155 Conversations alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Conversations as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Schnatt_App
    Positive
    3

    very good Alternative if you seek a client for android

    Pidgin Icon
    Conversations icon
    • Conversations is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Conversations is Lightweight and Privacy focusedPidgin is not according to our users
  13. Franz icon

    Franz

     120 likes
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    Franz is a free messaging app / former Emperor of Austria and combines chat & messaging services into one application. Franz currently supports Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat, HipChat and many more. You can download Franz for Mac, Windows & Linux.

    69 Franz alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Franz screenshot 1
     
  14. Empathy icon

    Empathy

     157 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Empathy screenshot 1
     
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    1
    9
    Comments about Empathy as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Both free and open source and works in Linux Support many protocols

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pidgin Icon
    Empathy icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Empathy is a great Pidgin alternative.

    • Empathy is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
  15. Psi XMPP Client icon

    Psi XMPP Client

     92 likes
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    Feature-rich XMPP client for advanced users offering strong customization options, secure encrypted messaging (TLS, OpenPGP, OTR, OMEMO), file transfers, audio/video calls, support for animated emoticons, modern themes, group messaging, and multi-platform compatibility.

    44 Psi XMPP Client alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Psi XMPP Client screenshot 1
     
12 of 68 Pidgin alternatives