Windows Live Messenger Alternatives
Windows Live Messenger is described as 'With Live Messenger you can chat online instantly in real time with friends, family and colleagues. Its faster than e-mail, more discreet than a phone call' and is a very popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Windows Live Messenger for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone. The best alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows Live Messenger are Telegram, Jitsi Desktop, Skype and Tox.
Windows Live Messenger alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Group Chat Apps or Video Calling Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows Live Messenger.Signal
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
205 alternatives to Signal- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
Signal Features
Telegram
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
262 alternatives to Telegram- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Linux Mobile
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
- FreeBSD
Telegram is a messaging app created by former VK creators with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
Telegram Features
Telegram vs Windows Live Messenger opinions
way more secure than messenger. has end to end encryption. also, higher file size limit. v similar features to messenger, but better
0Jitsi Desktop
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Video Calling App
- Web Conferencing Tool
- Instant Messenger
72 alternatives to Jitsi Desktop- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- BSD
- Self-Hosted
Jitsi Desktop (previously SIP Communicator) is a legacy audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption, precedessor of Jitsi Meet .
Jitsi Desktop Features
DiscontinuedJitsi Desktop is not actively developed anymore: last version, released in October 2017, can be still downloaded from GitHub. Its successor is
Jitsi Meet
Skype
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
- Encrypted Chat App
311 alternatives to Skype- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet. Users can also call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates using Skype credit, premium accounts and subscriptions.
Skype Features
Skype vs Windows Live Messenger opinions
can't use my own emoticons, doesn't play well across other IM programs, space hog.
0Tox
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
182 alternatives to Tox- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.
Tox Features
Pidgin
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
- IRC Client
117 alternatives to Pidgin- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- Xfce
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.
Pidgin Features
WhatsApp
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Proprietary
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
245 alternatives to WhatsApp- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Wear
WhatsApp is an iPhone and Android messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.
WhatsApp Features
WhatsApp vs Windows Live Messenger opinions
ajbrown678It is better to use on your smartphone than WLM, easier.
0Mumble
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
46 alternatives to Mumble- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- iPhone
- BSD
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- PortableApps.com
Mumble was the first and is the most successful and wide spread free and open source software for VoIP. It was the first VoIP software to provide low-latency audio suitable for gaming, and at the same time was a pioneer in high audio quality at the same time.
Mumble Features
RetroShare
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
- Video Calling App
99 alternatives to RetroShare- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- BSD
- OpenSSL
- OpenPGP
RetroShare is a open source cross-platform, private and secure decentralized communication system. It lets you to securely chat, share photos, videos, and more, using OpenPGP to authenticate peers and .
RetroShare Features
Viber
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
169 alternatives to Viber- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Apple Watch
With Viber, everyone in the world can connect. Freely. More than 460 million Viber users text, make HD-quality phone and video calls, and send photo and video messages worldwide over WiFi or 3G - for free.
Viber Features