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Best Free Instant Messaging Client
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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 |
Supports AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, and Zephyr IM networks.
Supports AIM, Yahoo, Google, Windows Live, ICQ, Jabber, Meebo, etc.
Supports Gadu-Gadu and Jabber in addition to the networks supported by Trillian. Also connects to the Google Talk network with a little plug-in tweaking.
Supports AIM, ICQ, IRC, MSN and Yahoo networks.
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Editor
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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor skizzze. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here. |
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Tags
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Instant Messenger, IM, Online IM, freeware. |
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Comments
FYI:
"There is no portable version of this product available."
All clients have portable versions
I've looked for a Trillian portable app version but there doesn't seem to be an official Cerulean Studios app for it. There is however a third party download you can use, with a bit of a set up, to get it small enough to fit on a portable device and give you all the same features, maybe that's what you mean by ALL clients have a portable version? But modifying it, or other clients, to make it portable might go against the licensing agreement so in reality, there doesn't seem to be a totally legit portable version for Trillian right now. I could be wrong though and would love it if you could find an official portable version of Trillian for us and send me a link so i can update the section :)
Digsby has a clean installer : http://majorgeeks.com/Digsby_d6022.html
From majorgeeks:
"Editors note: This is the clean install. A smaller download is available that bundles malware, so be careful."
Info: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2310/be-careful-not-to-install-junk-softw...
I havn't tested it yet.
Digsby is also a very good messenger which should be mentioned!
Site of Digsby has an unsatisfactory WOT rating, and therefore as per our site policy, wont be reviewed :).
Does anyone know anything about the encrypted IM service X-IM? OR about the chat/IM client in Comodo's Unite VPN suite? Any suggestions, recommendations of alternative services, or feedback iw greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jitsi "(previously SIP Communicator) is an audio/video and chat communicator that supports protocols such as SIP, XMPP/Jabber, AIM/ICQ, Windows Live, Yahoo!, Bonjour and many other useful features". http://jitsi.org/ Important for me because support multiple SIP ACCOUNTS.
A new multi-protocol messenger.
Instantbird : http://www.instantbird.com/
Nice one. It is simple and easy to use, but lacks couple of things. Most important of which: file transfer. On my job I must IM that can transfer files and thus is automatically excluded as an option. Too bad. I think it may have nice future.
I agree. I too found that it has less features, but its in early stages, and maybe it will improve further.
What about commenting on Trillian 5.0?
This link shows it offers more support for any service period... (hands-down maybe??)
www.trillian.im/guide/images/windows-accounts4.png
It does screen capture (great for techs, as I have pre-annotated jpg's from picpick for sending ADHOC when someone needs help).
http://imo.im has been working out great for me. Simple and light.
Digsby has some advertising now as well, which would ban it for a second reason apart from the WOT rating.
Digsby
it's EXELENT, BEST Free Instant Messaging Client AND I SUPRISED THAT EVEN NOT MENTIONED Digsby.
Once you download on your computer you will in love with him. Most of time i skype user unfortunately not skype but all other most popular Instant Messaging Clients Digsby had.
Instant Messaging:
One combined buddy list for AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber, and Facebook Chat Accounts.
Email:
Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL/AIM Mail, IMAP, and POP accounts
Social Networking:
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn accounts.
I used to love Digsby too, untill I learned that it does something in the background, I don't care good or bad, as long as I don't really know what it does.
Also, in the past, Digsby simply messed up my privacy by sending messages from an account that it wasn't suppose to. What else do you need to abort it?
It is very unfortunate for such a good IM client to end up like this!
Digsby was featured in the review before, but not anymore. Reason being, Digsby site has got unsatisfactory WOT rating, because of which we cannot allow it in the review. Unless the WOT rating goes green, it will not be included.
can you explain WOT rating??
Just expanding a bit on what Anupam correctly states below.
Because the WOT ratings are largely user generated they can be manipulated for malicious purposes. See Remah's excellent review here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-internet-safety-check.htm)
This possibility of course is not unique to WOT and they do have procedures in place to reduce this risk and/or enable site owners to have an erroneous rating corrected.
Suffice to say that entering any red rated site is like playing Russian roulette. You may as well surf with firewall and AV switched off because the rate at which malware "evolves" in these places is guaranteed to bypass your security software at some point, or at least tempt you to allow this (human engineering) yourself.
Orange rated sites may not be so dangerous but is the risk worth it? In all my time online I've never found anything that I must have in an orange rated site for which there wasn't a safer alternative somewhere else.
A WOT plugin is available for many of the leading browsers or can be used in some others which are not fully supported via a bookmarklet. Another alternative is to replace your current search engine DuckDuckGo which enables WOT ratings to be displayed in search results.
This is from the WOT site, at www.mywot.com :
The WOT add-on shows you which websites you can trust based on millions of users' experiences.
Is there any program that can see msn smilies.... other then msn messenger?
aMSN : http://www.amsn-project.net/
The MSN clone. Its good.
I've heard about digsby being a trogen, but does any antivirus/internet security suites started detecting digsby as trogen?
Replying to my own comment
I think the only way to find out if AVG would detect it as a virus is to go and download the installation file!
Do any of these offer an option to send or receive messages directly over a home network without going through an online service?
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!
The problem is not with these IM clients, the trouble is with the Skype architecture. You need to have Skype installed, no matter whatever 3rd party IM client you use to access Skype from (May be this is because Skype uses proprietory protocol?).
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