Vacuum-IM Alternatives
Vacuum-IM is described as 'Crossplatform Jabber client. The core program is just a plugin loader - all functionality is made available via plugins. This enforces modularity and ensures well defined component interaction via interfaces'. There are more than 10 alternatives to Vacuum-IM for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Linux, Windows, BSD and Android. The best alternative is Jitsi, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Vacuum-IM are Pidgin (Free, Open Source), Gajim (Free, Open Source), Empathy (Free, Open Source) and YakYak (Free, Open Source).
- Jitsi (previously SIP Communicator) is an audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption that supports protocols such as SIP, XMPP/Jabber, ICQ/AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo!, GTalk/Hangouts extensions, as well as OTR, ZRTP, etc.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- iPad
- Pidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more chat networks all at once. It has built-in support for NSS, offering client-to-server message encryption for protocols that support it.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- Xfce
- 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.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Xfce
- 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.
Discontinued
Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.
- Walkie is a better way to communicate for distributed teams that don't want to spend all day in dry text channels. Voice Only A voice only communication tool that enables teams to communicate with emotion and purpose. Distraction Free
- The privacy-first messaging app that works with or without internet access, cellular data or trust in the network.No screenshots yet
- Astian Spika is an instant messaging service focused on speed, security and productivity. With great differences such as integration with Astian Cloud, support for video calls, calls among other features.
- Free • Open Source
- Online
- Android
- Android Tablet
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- 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.