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Best Free Instant Messaging Client
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In a Hurry?
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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
Although development has not been as bullish as it used to be, it still provides a simple yet elegant design with lot of functionality. There also has been a constant update to fix bugs and security issues. The program is completely ad free and provides various plugins that one can add to the program such as Guifications and SkypeIM support. But like any program there are still some limitations. One of the major drawbacks is that there is no support for voice or video. However if you are looking for a simple open- source multi-protocol IM program, Pidgin is for you.
Digsby is another option out there for you. However, due to its WOT rating and history it is hard to recommend this client. At some point in time Digsby offered various adware/spyware in their installer in order to keep the client free of charge to its customers. With this scandal, it has seriously damaged its reputation as a company. Even though the Digsby client today seems to have not included any spyware or adware in its installer, they do still have ads within their IM windows (which you can disable in the preferences by unchecking support Digsby). Many people have also become quite skeptical of their practices and have since boycotted their program completely. With that being said, it is still a decent client. I myself have used it for a period of time. If you do decide that this program is for you, a word of advice, proceed with caution. For now there will be no review on this client due to its WOT rating. |
Web ClientIn light of recent events, Google has acquired Meebo so it is effectively shutting down on July 11th, 2012. For those who are looking for Web Clients, there are plent
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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 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 MSN, Yahoo, AIM, G-talk, Facebook, ICQ, MySpace, Steam, skype, Jabber, VKontakte, and Hyves.
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 hiddensanctum. 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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If yo
u are someone who loves to customize and tweak,
Comments
Gizmo / hiddensanctum,
I'm wondering if the best free internet messaging networks should be reviewed and rated, not only IM clients. Having used some IM networks for years myself--decades--I've come to dislike a certain network (even your picks of best IM clients I don't like to use on a particular network). Namely, I've come to discontinue using the Yahoo IM network due to spam IMs. The other main IM network I've used is AIM (America Online IM) and I prefer it for not getting SPIMed.
Also worth considering:
It won't matter to all users, but it's worth considering how much an IM client mitigates or exposes private data. An IM provider stores IM's and contact details they 'see', but a multi-client whose provider logs extra data exposes the user on all their IM systems, not just one.
In this area, Trillian keeps a copy of the user's contact list in plaintext. The contact list is used for sync purposes, so it's legit, but it's not encrypted on their servers as (say) logins are. So contact renames, groups, etc are vulnerable. They may change this in future, but at the moment it's worth an observation as strong security is a good thing.
( source: https://www.trillian.im/policies/security/#5.3 )
Gizmno - you might want to consider Jisti (https://jitsi.org) as a very strong contender. Things I like:
Free/open source
Very actively developed (as at 2013) and dates back to 2006 ish so a decent history
Cross platform (including x32, x64 and msi on Windows, which suggests devs have care and forethought)
Very wide range of protocols
IM, file transfer, voice, video
Appears mature
And as extra bonus features, it's just streets ahead on core infrastructure:
IPv4/IPv6 automated
NAT traversal
DNSSEC
About the only IM client to support open encryption standards built into the base code - OTR is often a plugin but here it's built-in, and Phil Zimmermann's STRP/ZRTP - about the only really secure standard for VoIP - is also built in.
Video/voice conferencing
SIP
A load more.
You might want to review and include it.
Thanks for the info, I'll look into it.
Pidgin is actually a 30 MB download for offline installation — this figure really makes sense, and 9 MB doesn't make any sense.
Digsby should be allowed back as... they are removing all those bundled software in their installer.
"We are removing all bundled offers shown during installation of Digsby. We hope this will make Digsby a better experience for you and your friends." - Digsby Blog
That blog post is from 2011. It also says Digsby has been acquired by Tagged.. the website of which has got yellow WOT rating, and has got that rating because of spamming. Since nearly 2 years, there has not been any new post on their blog, after this announcement, which makes the situation regarding development of Digsby quite doubtful. Unless we get something concrete on present situation, or future development of the program, I don't think it will be considered here. Atleast the Digsby site has now got green WOT rating. Still, the above facts do matter.
Let's see what the editor of this category thinks.
I fully agree with Anupam on this matter. Since there have been no updates from Digsby themselves regarding to what exactly is going on with development, it is hard to recommend the product. Without any news of its future, it is hard to tell what exactly Tagged plans to do with the program. It is good news that the WOT rating is now green instead of yellow. But for now I am taking a "wait and see" approach.
Glad you agree :).
How come nobody mentioned QQ? It has almost a billion users and it's THE im for the entire Chinese speaking world (which is a big one, lol). I've been using it for years and it's pretty good, surely the best all around client with tons of features (even too many sometimes). They have an international QQ edition at http://www.imqq.com give it a try if you can, you'll be surprised :)
QQ has had a history of controversies including bundling software that censors, monitors, and steals its user's online behavior. Also we are mostly talking about multi-protocol instant messaging programs. QQ is not multi-protocol.
Plus QQ is only popular in China, and maybe a few other parts. It's not a global product, so to say.
There is a portable version of Pidgin.
http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/pidgin_portable
Thanks for the information. We will update it accordingly
I used to use and love using Miranda, minimalist and reliable. Miranda is no longer reliable. Too many bugs, especially in AIM. It all of a sudden blocked some of my buddies, and no matter what I did, delete and reinsert, whatever, it wouldn't work. Should have stayed with an older version. I wouldn't even include it on the list anymore. Went with Pidgin, so far so good.
I was a long user of pidgin and recently switched to digsby - a more modern interface, better multi-account handling etc.
The ads & shared CPU is disabled by default, the add-on toolbar can be disabled during install.
It is going to become open source after the company was acquired - I believe it is time to put it back in the race :)
Unless Digsby is able to improve its WOT rating, we will not provide a full review of it. It is mentioned in the review above though.
Our views on Digsby are clearly explained in the review above and are unlikely to change any time soon.
Hello.
Digsby just become open source, so there might be hopes for it after all. I used it and liked some time ago without knowing about it's 'bad' reputation.
Google is acquiring Meebo!
http://www.meebo.com/support/article/175/
That's why I'm trying to find an alternative. I actually downloaded the meebo notifier so I can get notifications (in the notifications bar) without the browser being open. When I wanted to chat I would double click and a browser (or new tab) would open easily and if I accidentally closed the browser I wouldn't be logged out or miss anything. It was so simple!
Thanks for the information. I updated the review with alternatives
I recently started using IMO (http://imo.im). It offers an online interface to the most common messengers, even Skype. Check it out.
imo.im won Best IM overall at About.com Readers Choice Awards 2012 . Other awards are here...http://im.about.com/library/blbestim2012.htm
Thanks for the information =] I will check it out
Everyone should be told that Trillian Astra 5.0 is the now the most intrusive multi-protocol IM on the web. It has always been ad driven, but now the ads actually interrupt your IM while you are using it. Ads are constantly popping up in your IM window, between your sends and the replys, and completely ruin this once great free IM. Trillian also now installs opencandy and there is no way to prevent that since you must agree to installing it if you want to install Trillian. If you are using Trillian and haven't updated to 5.0, don't you will immediately be forced to find a new IM software. I am currently using Digsby, and though not recommended here because of WOT ratings, the latest downloads don't force installation of unwanted toolbars or other adware it was once known for. Just as with most freeware, you just have to watch the screen and un-check anything you don't want to be installed. A much nicer interface than Pidgin, with more choices for fonts and how the software interacts with the different IM environments.
Thanks for the information. We will update the review accordingly
It would be nice to at least list IM's such as Digsby (not Rate but report on it being negative WOT) and the others. Reviews are great and explanations as to why they are not being reviewed and only listed provides us the reader the knowledge that at least you are aware these others exist and the reasons why they are not reviewed. Lack of information even if not allowed by policy, only harms the community that is the internet.
thank you for a nice article on IM's. I would like to see it improved by at least acknowledging the other IM's out there and reasons why they were not reviewed. I used to use digsby loved it but since they were purchased by a disreputable group I've changed back to trillian. But I'm always shopping for a better tool.
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 :)