Pidgin is described as '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' 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 Linux, Mac, Windows, Web-based and Android apps. The best Pidgin alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Matrix. Other great apps like Pidgin are Jami, Beeper, SeaMonkey and Element X.
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.
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.
Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Miranda New Generation is a successor of a popular multi-protocol instant messaging client for Windows - Miranda IM . Very light on system resources and extremely fast.
One of few Windows chat clients supporting multiple protocols and plugins, while also being open-source.
WeeChat is a free chat client, fast and light, designed for many operating systems. It is highly customizable and extensible with scripts.
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.
Simple and modern interface, secure protocols be default (OMEMO, OpenPGP), available in many distros and through Flatpak/Flathub, audio and video call.
One app for all your messaging.
WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Gmail, Slack, Facebook, Facebook Pages, Instagram, Twitter, Outlook, SnapMap, WeChat, LinkedIn, HipChat, and ChatWork.
Supports multiple messaging apps
Matrix-focused desktop chat client supporting secure end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice and video calling, file sharing, emoji, room and community management, multi-theme interface, presence/status, notifications, profiles, and plugin integration for Unix.
Chat on the Jabber network (XMPP protocol); focus on features for gateway users The Cheogram Android app allows you to join a worldwide communication network.
Snikket is an ambitious project to build a new kind of XMPP-based messaging platform.
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Both free and open source and works in Linux Support many protocols