Pidgin Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to Pidgin for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is Matrix.org, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Pidgin and loads of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Pidgin are Jitsi Desktop, Jami, SeaMonkey and Trillian.

Pidgin alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat 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

1510

Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger

Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can...

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Pidgin alternatives page was last updated

Matrix.org
Is 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
138 Matrix.org alternatives
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.
- - Matrix.org is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Pidgin.
- - Matrix.org is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Pidgin.
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. Ad-freeMatrix.org doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
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
Voice Chat
Security focused
Spaces
Chat Bot
Support for Multiple protocols
WebRTC
Server side history
Comments about Matrix.org as a Alternative to Pidgin
Some users think Matrix.org is a great Pidgin alternative, some don't.
Guest
It's not a universal messaging platform
Negative comment •
-1

alttojb
Matrix does allow multi-protocol chat via "bridges". https://matrix.org/bridges/
Positive comment •
0
Jitsi Desktop
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Web Conferencing Tool
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
Self-Hosted
78 Jitsi Desktop alternatives
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. Multiple Account supportJitsi Desktop support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
4. Desktop SharingJitsi Desktop enables you to share your screen with other people in the same office or working remotely.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsJitsi Desktop can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Video Conferencing
SIP
Support for Multiple protocols
Live Meeting
WebRTC
Voice Chat
Web-Based
Unlimited users
SIP client
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

Comments about Jitsi Desktop as a Alternative to Pidgin
Most users think Jitsi Desktop is a great Pidgin alternative.
Guest
It's only focused on video chat, no more Xmpp Support
Negative comment •
4

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
Jami
Is 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
148 Jami alternatives
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
Distributed
SIP client
Multiple languages
Team Messaging
SIP
Voice Chat
Intercom Support
Comments about Jami as a Alternative to Pidgin
This alternative is disputed. Jami is still a legitimate Pidgin alternative, 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
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Web Browser
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
248 SeaMonkey alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
SeaMonkey Features
1. WYSIWYG SupportSeaMonkey integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
2. LightweightSeaMonkey consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Privacy focusedSeaMonkey is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. PortableSeaMonkey can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSeaMonkey can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
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
Trillian
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Team Collaboration Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
iPad
Software as a Service (SaaS)
146 Trillian alternatives
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.
- - Trillian is the most popular SaaS alternative to Pidgin.
Suggest and vote on features
Trillian Features
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Messages
IMAP Support
POP3 Support
Facebook integration
IRC
Comments about Trillian as a Alternative to Pidgin
Most users think Trillian is a great Pidgin alternative.
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
Empathy
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
IRC Client
Linux
BSD
142 Empathy alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Empathy Features
Unified messaging
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
SIP
Integrated File Sharing
Voice Chat
Discontinued
Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.

Comments about Empathy as a Alternative to Pidgin
Almost everyone thinks Empathy is a great Pidgin alternative.
Guest
Both free and open source and works in Linux Support many protocols
Positive comment •
0
Franz
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Application Launcher
Mac
Windows
Linux
67 Franz alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Franz Features
1. Multiple Account supportFranz support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Support for Multiple protocols
Whatsapp integration
Unified messaging
Web application wrapper
Multi-messenger
Slack client
Lightweight wrapper
Gmail integration
iPhone/iPod sync
Slack integration
Utopia
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
46 Utopia alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
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
Gajim
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Xfce
66 Gajim alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
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. Ad-freeGajim doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Privacy focusedGajim is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. End-to-End EncryptionGajim has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
6. PGP EncryptionGajim supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
OMEMO
Audio Calling
Xmpp
Supports XMPP
OTR
Tabbed interface
Multiple languages
Comments about Gajim as a Alternative to Pidgin
Most users think Gajim is a great Pidgin alternative.
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

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
Beeper
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
13 Beeper alternatives
Beeper is a fast multiprotocol single app to chat on iMessage, WhatsApp, and 15 other networks. You can search, snooze, or archive messages. And with a unified inbox, you’ll never miss a message again.
Suggest and vote on features
Beeper Features
1. Privacy focusedBeeper is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. Ad-freeBeeper doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. End-to-End EncryptionBeeper has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No TrackingBeeper will not track you or use your personal data.
Support for Multiple protocols
Telegram
IMessage
Sms from PC
Slack client
IRC