Pidgin Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Pidgin for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best Windows 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 loads of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Pidgin are Jami, Beeper, SeaMonkey and Trillian.

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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     771 likes

    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.

    302 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    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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    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

     382 likes

    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.

    166 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

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

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Message window
     
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    3
    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. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

    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
  6. Beeper icon

    Beeper

     74 likes

    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
  7. SeaMonkey icon

    SeaMonkey

     241 likes

    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.

    187 SeaMonkey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    SeaMonkey screenshot 1
     
  9. Trillian icon

    Trillian

     280 likes

    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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    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. Franz icon

    Franz

     120 likes

    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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Franz screenshot 1
     
  11. Psi XMPP Client icon

    Psi XMPP Client

     92 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Psi XMPP Client screenshot 1
     
  12. Messenger icon

    Messenger

     231 likes

    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.

    196 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
     
  13. Miranda NG icon

    Miranda NG

     50 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Miranda NG screenshot 1
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about Miranda NG as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Mister Hutchinson
    Positive
    0

    One of few Windows chat clients supporting multiple protocols and plugins, while also being open-source.

    Pidgin Icon
    Miranda NG icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Miranda NG is a great Pidgin alternative.

    • Miranda NG is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Miranda NG is CustomizablePidgin is not according to our users
  14. Gajim icon

    Gajim

     67 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • Flathub
    Gajim tabbed chat
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about Gajim as an Alternative to Pidgin
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    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.

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

    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.

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

    • Most users think Gajim is a great Pidgin alternative.

    • Gajim is Free and Open SourcePidgin is also Free and Open Source
    • Gajim is Privacy focusedPidgin is not according to our users
12 of 56 Pidgin alternatives