Pidgin Alternatives for Android

Pidgin is not available for Android but there are plenty of alternatives with similar functionality. The best Android alternative 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 many of them are available for Android so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Android alternatives to Pidgin are Beeper, Element X, Trillian and Conversations.

filter to find the best alternatives

Pidgin alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Video Calling 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.
More about Pidgin
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Pidgin alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     766 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    1
    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
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    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. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    Ring on Android app
     
    |
    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
  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. Beeper icon

    Beeper

     74 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    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
  8. Trillian icon

    Trillian

     280 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    1
    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
  10. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    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
  11. Messenger icon

    Messenger

     231 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    195 Messenger alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    Messenger screenshot 1
    Messenger screenshot 2
    Messenger screenshot 3
     
  12. Snikket icon

    Snikket

     10 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Snikket is an ambitious project to build a new kind of XMPP-based messaging platform.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Docker
    Snikket screenshot 1
    Snikket screenshot 2
    Snikket screenshot 3
     
  13. Cheogram icon

    Cheogram

     5 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Cheogram screenshot 1
    Cheogram screenshot 2
    Cheogram screenshot 3
     
  14. Kaidan icon

    Kaidan

     4 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Kaidan is a simple, user-friendly Jabber/XMPP client providing a modern user interface using Kirigami and QtQuick. The back-end of Kaidan is written in C++ using the QXmpp XMPP client library and Qt 5.

    79 Kaidan alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • Plasma Mobile
    • Flathub
    Kaidan screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Kaidan as an Alternative to Pidgin
    riveravaldez
    Positive
    0

    Modern interface for XMPP communications. Implements OMEMO:2. Works fine.

    Pidgin Icon
    Kaidan icon
    • Kaidan is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
  15. Xabber icon

    Xabber

     53 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Open source Jabber (XMPP) client with multi-account support, clean and simple interface. Being both free (as in freedom!) and ad-free, Xabber is designed to be the best Jabber client for Android .

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Xabber screenshot 1
    Xabber screenshot 2
    Xabber screenshot 3
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Xabber as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Mister Hutchinson
    Negative
    0

    Only XMPP, while Pidgin works with multiple systems and protocols.

    Pidgin Icon
    Xabber icon
    • Xabber is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
12 of 26 Pidgin alternatives