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Best Free Instant Messaging Client
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In a Hurry?
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 Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide |
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Introduction
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If you're like me, then you probably have friends and family using a variety of IM networks. One way to talk with people on each one of these networks, is to open an account for each and then download and install each IM client on your computer. However, running four different IM applications on your computer uses a lot of system resources, is difficult to manage, and broadens your attack surface. Therefore, I would recommend using a multi-protocol IM client. These applications not only allow you to connect to multiple IM networks, but they are also advertisement free, more secure, and have features that allow you to easily manage your various IM accounts. All IM clients reviewed in this article have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and I'm certain there are users who will remain faithful to each. |
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Discussion
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Software Clients
The interface is basic but functional -- nobody's going to be blown away by its styling, but many users may appreciate the simplicity and lack of popups. There is some customization available through Guifications as well. Being non-commercial, open-source software makes it even easier to support. I can confidently recommend Pidgin as the first choice for a multi-protocol IM client.
In addition to the networks supported by Trillian, it has native support for Gadu-Gadu and Jabber (it also will connect to the Google Talk network with a little plug-in tweaking). Its interface is minimalist, but the application is very extensible through plug-ins.
It should be noted that Trillian requires users to create and log in to a Trillian account—but this also means Trillian stores their other networks so you won't need to re-enter your login information each time you install Trillian on a new PC. |
Web Client
This is a great choice if you are using a computer which you cannot or don't want to install new software on, such as a public PC. With its vast extra language support, it adds a lot of flexibility. |
Now, if you're a power user and want support for more networks and the ability to add features via plug-ins, then definitely check out 
If you're looking for something with a bit more style, 
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Related Products and Links
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You might want to check out these articles too: Best Free Email Client |
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2.7.1 
Unrestricted Freeware 
Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
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Editor
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This software category is in need of an editor. If you are interested in taking it over then check out this page for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here. |
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Tags
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Instant Messenger, IM, Online IM, freeware. |
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Comments
Hey, I'd be glad to become the editor of this section, but I'm using a PC from year 2000 (Pentium III 733 MHz with 384 MB SDRAM), of which Pidgin only uses approximately 24 MB right now, so I'm not available to test other IM clients even for a few days to make an opinion.
[Edit: further comment follows here in forum.]
Expecting comments!
Hi brunetu, thanks for your inputs. I was not aware of Bitwise IM, and Eyeball Chat till you mentioned it. Thanks.
While we appreciate your inputs, we would appreciate it more if you took such lengthy posts to the forum. The forum is the appropriate place for such lengthy posts, and for structured discussions. This discussion can be carried out more efficiently there.
Understood. I don't appreciate lengthy web-pages either because they have a long load time too. I just thought that maybe half of the comments are less useful than mine anyway, but I'm taking it to the forums and expect anyone who wants to know about my experiences with many IM software (be they intended for local networks, specific protocols or multi-protocol), I invite them over there.
Thanks a lot for your co-operation and understanding, much appreciated. The long load time is not a problem, but lengthy comments take up a lot of space of the comments section. This can be a problem. Also, its difficult to follow long discussions here in the comments section, whereas its easy to do so on the forum. That's why we request members to take up long discussions to the forum :).
Well this has turned into a quite large discussion already, so I won't mind if any moderator reading these comments deletes them - on the contrary. But leave a message that the forum post is located in the Internet category, the thread's title being Best Free Instant Messaging Client if possible. This is not the place for a debate indeed. Thank you Anupam.
Does any of them supports Windows Live ID?
I'm looking for Windows Live Messenger alternative because MS quit support Windows XP in version 2010 beta, nor they will support Windows XP in the final release.
All of the above support Windows Live, or MSN. If you want alternative MSN messenger, you can go for
aMSN : http://www.amsn-project.net/
Emesene : http://www.emesene.org/
All the clients are waste of time because non has skype login.
some of them have seperate addons but are not working properly. Therefor skype users avoid any of the above
Trillian Astra does support Skype.
For Trillian Astra in order to use the the skype plugin you have to install skype which defeats the purpose!
FYI:
WeBuzz.IM ( http://webuzz.im/ ) is a free web instant messenger, providing web Gtalk, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Facebook Chat, AIM/ICQ services.
It uses Gtalk-like user interface. It provides a foot-bar for multiple protocol logins.
Digsby:
Please not that Digsby was previously featured in this review but has now been removed. This is because of privacy concerns related to their use of your computer data for market research purposes which has resulted in their website attracting a cautionary rating with WOT.
do any of these im clients support sms text messaging to cell phones?
if not could someone direct me to the correct category to find such software?
thanks in advance for your help and hats off to the builders and maintainers of this website - a really great resource.
I don't believe any IM CLIENTS support SMS messaging directly, but there are ways to send SMS over IM services themselves.
I can't recall the exact format, but I believe if you add phone numbers to your buddy list on AIM you can send SMS messages that way.
Pidgin - definitely try to AVOID this POS software. There are many, MANY issues with this, way too many to list here. Suffice it to say that it is coded by aficionados. Support is appalling...if non-existent. I reported a bug once and it took them 18 months...you, you read that correctly, 18 MONTHS, that is a year and a half, to respond to my bug reporting ticket. By that time, the response I got was, "We have a new version now, see if that works for you. We won't be working on the older version you reported to try and fix that bug." The main guy that leads the project is arrogant and haughty. He has no sense of working with people when they report problems to him.
It is an Open Source project. They (the guys who work for Pidgin) isn't paid, they're only voluntary guys who wants to help. I think this is the reason why bugs aren't fixed so fast..
While I can appreciate the importance of support, I still think Pidgin offers the best functionality and ease-of-use for most users.
In my experience, most users could use Pidgin for years without running up against any significant problems.
I loaded Digsby and am very happy with it. It has an email monitor, if one wishes to use it and I am finally able to monitor more than one yahoo email account at a time.
A new version of aMSN has been released with various bugfixes, audio and video conference, chat while appearing offline, and more.
New version of Trillian has been released too with new features.
Anupam
Digsby is not available for Linux or Mac yet..
Newb question.
Do I have to download and setup an account with Googletalk to use it or can I just add GTalk contacts into Digsby and use it from there?
Digsby is good!!.. mail notification, facebook notification, and you can even comment directly from digsby, twitter support. can update both status of facebook and twitter (I only use this two). Digsby widget is quite usefull too, although yahoo pingbox is better.
Pidgin, Trillian, Miranda is good too for chatting purpose, but it doesnt support facebook the way digsby do. and some people may get headache configuring miranda :p
never had problem using those. Pidgin and Miranda need additional plugin for facebook chat though (as far as I remember).
I had problem with Meebo to connect to yahoo before, but maybe it just a glitch, luv the interface though, too bad they didnt release desktop app. I keep forgeting that meebo require the browser and accidentally close it.
like gizmo said, all apps are good, working as they said so.. I'm using digsby because of facebook and twitter integration, and their nice mail notifier. and using yahoo messenger for its pingbox.
btw, nice review gizmo! =)
http://www.igniterealtime.org/projects/spark/index.jsp
Spark is mostly a focus towards businesses/organizations but I thought it might be good to mention, especially since it is open source and you are able to connect to multiple clients.
Thanks for the suggestion. If I'm reading it correctly, it looks like Spark is a single-protocol client, though, while we've focused on multi-protocol clients here. I'm considering adding a list of "notable" single-protocol clients, though, and I'll definitely keep Spark in mind if I do so.
Trillian has released version 4.0, named Astra. You can download it from http://www.trillian.im/download/.
Digsby Joins the Dark Side, Uses Your PC to Make Money (LifeHacker)
Thanks for mentioning this. I'd actually been leery of Digsby's adware elements for a while, and this is just one more annoying step. I'll definitely update the article to make Pidgin the top recommendation.
They don't make me happy either, but their defense and latest upgrade are somewhere between fair and plausible. Maybe not #1 anymore, but don't knock them off the list.
Arithmomaniac
-- hi. Well. I am a fan a maniac of Instant messaging.
I live at PATAGONIA, close to the pole !! and got no other way to communicate to pals...
I studied at ueens Colelge NY. !! so I am far far from my crew !!
Well. I tried hundreds of releases. and right now I can suggest that the one that helps me a lot and fill 70% of my requirements is NIMBUZZ it is great the Facebook service it has !! but still need more to glow !
See u
PABLO
As it is, I don't see much to recommend Nimbuzz over Digsby. The best thing about Nimbuzz is that it also has mobile clients, but the Windows Mobile client I tried was terrible, so it wasn't much of a bonus. I'll keep my eye on the program.
Please, take care of digby.
I followed the suggestion explained here but there is no mention about the lack of privacy withing policies of digsby. Plus, the spyware on the installation.
Thanks for the comment. I thought I had mentioned the adware from the Digsby installer, but I didn't.
Digsby's privacy policy doesn't look too unusual -- they collect information about logins and features used, but not about messages sent within the service or about logins and passwords.
Having spent a while comparing the two, I'm going to be revising this article to change the recommendation to Pidgin over Digsby.
I've found an issue with Pidgin, as it seems not to like it when you add people on MSN as it takes up to a week for everything to go through....
Perhaps it's time to try something else like Miranda for me...
- Shane -
Has anyone tried emesene? I just now installed it and it seems ok. Very clean.
Emesene looks fine, but I don't think I'm going to include it in the main article. I think multi-protocol clients are a lot easier to recommend.
Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Scott Foster
Best Free Instant Messaging Client Editor
I have tried Emesene, but I think its still in its early stages, and has a lot to improve. I use aMSN, and I find it to be quite good. You should try aMSN, lot better than Emesene.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
Thanks Anupam for the info. Ill give aMSN a try.
According to the website, it was last updated in 2008, so I have doubts about it... Also, most of the features it showed were either already in windows live messenger, or in messenger Plus Live, which is what I use along with WLM.
Yes, its been a long time since it has a major version released. But, its still in development. Yes, most of the features will be in WLM, as its a WLM clone. Its almost like the WLM, it just does not have voice chat. I came across aMSN, when I started getting virus whenever I opened WLM. Then, I searched for other alternatives, and that's how I came across aMSN, and also Digsby. So aMSN in that way was a real blessing.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
You are welcome :)
Anupam Shriwatri, India
I like MSN LIVE Messenger. You can chat with MSN and Yahoo users and it has awesome webcam support. I dont chat with anyone from other IM's. It has been more stable then any of the options given. I have always had, even with digsby, incompatibility issues when chatting with friends who use the actual client instead of a clone.
Whether its file transfers, webcam, or slowdowns.
I switched back to MSN live messenger and its way better.
So far nothing has been better.
Hi,
is there any multi-messenger client that supports Skype?
Best regards,
George
Albert
IM.IMO its an webased instant messenger
Albert
Sorry im.imo support skype
I would recommend taking Digsby off of this list. It was a great program in early 08' but the new version is now cluttered with ad-ware. You have to download an "installer" which then downloads the actual IM client and it asks you to install all sorts of garbage along the way. Even if you decline everything it will still install some sort of stuff from digsby to track what you do with their software.
I definitely agree that Digsby's adware is a bit off-putting. It especially troubles me because it uses an uncommon style of installer that will make it harder for some users to realize they can opt out of the adware installations. Not good business practice in my book.
At the same time, it doesn't make the core client any less useful, and that's really what's being evaluated. I personally think Digsby is a bit bloated unless you REALLY demand facebook / myspace integration. The next revisions to the main article will reflect this, and I think I'm going to be changing the recommended client to Pidgin.
Scott Foster
Best Free Instant Messaging Client Editor
After reading this, i went to the Digsby site, and clicked the link to download Digsby. And yes, now it offers to download an installer to download and install Digsby on the computer.
However, if you dont want the installer, then below the big "Download Now" button, theres a small line that goes like this:
"Installing to a USB drive or secondary hard drive? Having trouble with the above installer? Click Here."
The click here link has the link to directly download the Digsby standalone setup, which is without any ad-ware(almost, explained later).
Coming back to the Digsby installer. Its a 4.34 MB download, and is an installation utility from freeze.com. On starting the installer, the first screen is about Digsby. On clicking accept button, it takes to next scren, where it offers to download "PC Confidential". It can be discarded by clicking on Decline button. Next screen offers to download "Registry Power Cleaner". This can also be discarded by clicking on Decline button.
If Decline is not pressed, on the left side, it will be shown what programs are going to be installed, and both two programs will appear in the list.
On the next screen after the "Registry Power Cleaner", it offers to make "My.Freeze.com" as your browser's home page. A check box is provided, so it can be unchecked to prevent that.
After this, Digsby will start to download. I havent been able to install Digsby this way, coz the download keeps getting stuck on my PC, due to some reason. So after this, i cant tell what Digsby exactly installs along with the messenger.
When i ran the standalone Digsby setup, it runs the Digsby setup. On finishing the setup, a screen is there, which has checkboxes for:
1. Make google powered digsby search my home page.
2. Make google powered digsby search my search engine.
3. Add amazon and ebay search to my browser.
If you dont want them, all these can be deselected by unchecking the checkboxes.
So yes, seems like Digsby is now ad-ware. But still, its a great product, and they need money to support the development, and keep Digsby free. So, as far as i am concerned, i will overlook this, as long as i am able to avoid the ad-ware installation. I would keep using Digsby.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
I also agree, I never did catch this till recently I grabbed the latest version of A-Squared and one of the things it found (medium risk I believe) was called "Freeze.com" and it clickd with me that, Freeze.com is part of the installer of Digsby.
Thanks for the information, I will evaluate this
How about Prive IM? We use AM Messenger for offcile IM solution..it does not need net if configured for lan.
What is better, the zune or ipod
bill grits
Zen !
I have a Zune 80GB and I love it. Way better than the iPod because of the larger screen, and cheaper price. You can also play games on the Zune.
However, I am going to sell it and get a Creative Zen Vision. The Zune is VERY proprietary to Microsoft's Zune software. Not even Windows Media Player can access it. I am also switching over to Ubuntu as my operating system, so the Zen will be a better choice for me now. It has a large screen as well. The hard drive in it is smaller, but I can easily replace that with an 80,100GB,or more as I see fit.
If it is down to Zune or iPod, and you only use MS Windows, I would say the Zune is champ.
rusty
The Zune seems to be a little more flexible in function, of course the IPod is still on top in regards to popularity. The Zune really has improved over the last 3 years or so. My personally I would go with the Zune.
Ha, please show me anything indicating that any version of trillian is less resource intensive than pidgin. I've never seen pidgin use more than 19mb of ram, and virtually no clock time.
You may be right, I'm in the process of re-evaluating IM clients.
Thanks,
digsby is awesome... I tried them all. A bit childish icon design but small price to pay for great client.
I suggest the following also:
iloveim.com
It is multiple protocol and web based. Its free and very easy to use. Consider adding it here.
I see, this is actually a web based application, similar to Meebo.com. I believe I will at as an alternative to Meebo.com
Thank You,
Thanks for the lead, was not familiar with iloveim.com
Thank You,
Who who, please, PLEASE note that Trillian Basic is in no way "less resource greedy" than pidgin, and please do note that its logging system is abominable, even compared to Miranda's, which is pretty bad in its own right.
Digsby Rocks!
I've tried Digsby but gave up.
Everything is fine except you can't have a conversation with more than one contact and I don't receive files sent thru MSN
Too bad maybe the next stable version will be better
I have been Digsby for a long time now, and i havent had any problems like you are having. Something else is the problem. Are u running an updated Digsby? They keep updating it. So keep it updated.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
Hi Edward.
I had many trouble-free months on several systems with Pidgin. Always worked well. Then I developed some sort of local problem that means an IM client keeps disconnecting, on my main work machine. No idea what it is, only applies to IM, nothing else.
Pidgin turned into a nightmare and was unusable. Changed to Trillian - no problems. The PC (or whatever) disconnects it, and 2 seconds later Trillian has reconnected, with a small log note to say what happened. It's seamless and almost transparent. No traffic lost or anything.
So I'd say if you have a problem machine, use Trillian. It's also very satisfactory all round and I now prefer it to Pidgin in any case.
chris.p
I agree with Chris. Although I am still using Pidgin, I just can't see myself using anything else because of the interface and simplicity of the layout. I can't stand Digsby and the others do not work the way I want them to.
I realized Pidgin has MANY problems. The later versions kept crashing every time I "quit" the program. They recently took in comments and many people were repeating all the same problems that were never fixed. Developers were also mean. They do not know what the heck open source means. They either make one choice or no choices. If someone suggests something, they say "We don't want that." Unlike Firefox developers and people who dedicate in making addons, everyone working with Pidgin are very rude and inconsiderate.
As currently, my Pidgin is horrible at file transfers and reconnects every hour or so.
Chris,
Sorry to hear that your having so much trouble with Pidgin. Trillian is a great alternative that I've used for awhile in the past.
Thanks,
Well all those problems are gone.. I have file transfer problems on Pidgin all the time. It seems to be the only annoying thing about it, and they come out with a new version far too often..it gets a bit annoying sometimes. At the same time, they sometimes take things off or add things instead of fixing bugs!
After reading your latest round of IM reviews, I switched from Pidgin to Digsby. I like the client OK - my issue is simply reliability. It displays in the task bar as if it's loaded...then I come to discover that it's hosed and has to be closed as a process in Task Manager.
After two such problems, I'm switching back to Pidgin next time, and I'm sure there will be a next time. Pidgin is reliable. This client is not ready for prime time. Use it if you like to dabble, but don't depend on it.
I have been using Digsby from quite some time and never had the problems like u are having. I recommend u download the latest build of Digsby from filhippo.com. They keep updating Digsby continously. U can also post about the problems in their forum and they will resolve it soon, or give u an answer.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
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