Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- FreeBSD
- NetBSD
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 BSD 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.




BeagleIM is a lightweight and powerful XMPP client developed by Tigase, Inc. It provides an easy way to start using the XMPP Protocol (formerly known as Jabber) if you've never used it before. Veterans of the protocol will find many features here they are familiar.




AstraChat is a standalone and lightweight Jabber (XMPP) client application for mobile and desktop that connects directly to your XMPP server without any proxies in-between.




AstraChat is the most popular commercial alternative to Pidgin.
KMess is the Live Messenger alternative for Linux, aiming at integration with the KDE desktop environment.






Stack is an Internet launchpad that increases the efficiency of working with the web for the average internet user by allowing simultaneous use of multiple web apps within a neatly organized working environment.




Coccinella is a free and open-source cross-platform instant messaging client with a built-in whiteboard for improved collaboration with other people.




OneTeam – simple, secure and easy to use.
OneTeam is a versatile instant messaging client that is very intuitive to use. Even people who are new to instant messaging will find it easy to get started, while experienced users will discover a range of advanced features, like acces.




CenterIM is a text-mode IM client for Linux, *BSD, Solaris and other Unices that uses libpurple as a communication backend.

Monal is an open source iOS and macOS XMPP Chat-Client. It can connect to any standard XMPP chat server such as Gtalk or Facebook chat.



Minbif aims to use the libpurple library from the Pidgin project to provide an IRC-friendly instant messaging client.