Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients

Last updated

The landscape for instant messaging involves cross-platform instant messaging clients that can handle one or multiple protocols. [1] Clients that use the same protocol can typically federate and talk to one another. The following table compares general and technical information for cross-platform instant messaging clients in active development, each of which have their own article that provide further information.

Contents

General

ClientDeveloperInitial releasePlatformLatest release License (client) License (server) Monthly active users
VersionDate
BlackBerryMessenger Enterprise Blackberry June 2014;10 years ago [2] iOS, Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary
Beeper
May 10, 2021;3 years ago
  • Android
  • ChromeOS
  • iOS
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Windows
 Apache-2.0 Apache-2.0
Briar May 9, 2018;6 years ago [2] Android1.5.9 [3]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-01-16 GPL-3.0-or-later Not applicable
(peer-to-peer over Bluetooth, WiFi, or Tor network)
Conversations Daniel GulscheMarch 24, 2014;10 years agoAndroid2.17.2 [4]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-23 GPL-3.0-only XMPP protocol
Discord Discord Inc.March 6, 2015;9 years ago [5] Android159.10 [6]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-01-04 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 150 million (2021) [7]
iOS159.0 [8]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-01-06
Linux0.0.22 [9]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-12-10
macOS0.0.270 [10]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-12-12
Windows1.0.9166  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-08
Element New Vector LimitedJuly 2016;8 years agoAndroid1.6.22 [11]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-09-23 Apache-2.0 Matrix protocol 43 million (2021) [12]
iOS1.11.18 [13]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-09-17
Linux1.11.80 [14]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-08
macOS1.11.80 [14]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-08
Windows1.11.80 [14]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-08
Web1.11.80 [15]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-08
Fractal March 16, 2018;6 years agoLinux desktops and mobile OSsGPLv3 Matrix protocol
Gadu-Gadu Łukasz Foltyn, GG Network S.A.August 15, 2000;24 years ago Proprietary freeware Proprietary
Gajim Yann Le BoulangerMay 21, 2004;20 years agoBSD1.9.3 [16]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-07-29 GPL-3.0-only XMPP protocol
Linux
macOS
Windows
Gitter New Vector LtdFebruary 13, 2023;21 months ago [17] Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, LinuxMIT License Apache-2.0 (Synapse)
Google Chat (formerly Google Hangouts) Google May 15, 2013;11 years ago (as Google Hangouts)

March 9, 2017;7 years ago (as Google Chat)

Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
iOS
Web
Google Messages (RCS)2018;6 years agoAndroid Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
Web
Wear OS
ICQ Mail.Ru November 1996;28 years ago Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 11 million (2018) [18]
Jami Savoir-faire Linux Android GPL-3.0-or-later Not applicable
(peer-to-peer)
iOS
Linux
macOS
Windows
Jitsi Emil Ivov2003;21 years agoDesktop2.10 [19] [20]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2017-10-01 Apache-2.0 Apache-2.0 20 million (2020) [21]
KakaoTalk Kakao Corp.March 18, 2010;14 years ago Proprietary freeware Proprietary 47 million (2021) [22]
Kik Messenger MedialabOctober 2010;14 years agoAndroid15.50.1.27996 [23]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-03-17 Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 15 million (2017) [24]
iOS16.8.3 [25]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-02-25
Line LY Corporation March 2012;12 years agoAndroid13.0.1 [26]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-01-17 Proprietary freemium Proprietary 169 million (2020) [27]
iOS13.4.0 [28]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-03-30
Chrome2.5.11 [29]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-02-21
macOS7.16.1 [30]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-03-17
Windows7.14.1.2907 [31]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-03-23
Linphone Belledonne Communications2001;23 years agoAndroid4.5.6 [32]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2021-11-08 GPL-3.0-or-later or proprietary SIP protocol, could connect to any SIP provider/server, including Linphone's serviceonly for SIP linphone service : over 700,000 in 2024 [33]
iOS4.5.1 [34]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2021-10-08
Linux5.2.4 [35]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
macOS5.2.4 [35]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Windows5.2.4 [35]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
BSD
Mattermost Mattermost Inc2015;9 years agoAndroid Apache-2.0 MIT license binary, AGPLv3 for source code, Apache-2.0 for admin tools and config files
iOS
Linux5.2.2 [36]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-12-06
macOS5.2.2 [36]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-12-06
Windows5.2.2 [36]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-12-06
Messenger Meta Platforms August 9, 2011;13 years agoAndroid431.1.0.35.116 [37]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-10-24 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 988 million (2022) [38]
iOS390.0 [39]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-12-14
macOS169.0 [40]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-11-17
Windows1180.4.112.0  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2021-08-18
Movim Timothée JaussoinMarch 3, 2011;13 years agoAny, Progressive web application 0.28 [41]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-09-24 AGPL-3.0-or-later XMPP protocol
Mumble [42] September 22, 2005;19 years agoLinux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS1.4.2872022-09-143-clause BSDOpen source
Palringo Palringo Ltd2006;18 years agoAndroid10.14 [43]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2021-11-29 Proprietary freemium Proprietary
iOS10.13.1 [44]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2021-10-19
Paltalk AVM Software, IncJune 1998;26 years ago Proprietary freeware Proprietary 5.5 million (2013) [45]
Pidgin Mark Spencer November 1998;26 years agoBSD2.14.13 [46]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-02-23 GPL-2.0-or-later Umpteen, both open protocols and interfaces with proprietary messengers
Linux
macOS
Windows
Psi Psi and Psi+ developers2001;23 years agoLinux1.5 [47]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2020-09-06 GPL-2.0-or-later XMPP protocol
macOS
Windows
QQ Tencent Holdings February 10, 1999;25 years agoAndroid9.1.20 [48]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-27 Proprietary adware Proprietary 597 million (2023) [49]
iOS, iPadOS, watchOS9.1.2 [50]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-28
Windows9.9.16 [51]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-12
macOS6.9.61 [52]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-21
Linux3.2.13 [53]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-12
RetroShare Cyril Soler, Gioacchino Mazzurco2006;18 years ago0.6.7 [54]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-11-30 GPL Not applicable
(peer-to-peer)
Ricochet Invisible.imJune 2014;10 years agoFreeBSD1.1.4 [55] [56]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg [ needs update ] (fork took over development, now at 3.0.15)2016-11-07 BSD-3-Clause Not applicable
(peer-to-peer over the Tor network)
Linux
macOS
Windows
Signal Signal Foundation July 2014;10 years agoAndroid7.25.2 [57]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-22 GPL-3.0-only AGPL-3.0-only 40 million (2021) [58]
iOS7.39 [59]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-27 GPL-3.0-only
Desktop7.34.0 [60]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-22 AGPL-3.0-only
Skype Skype Technologies, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation 2003;21 years ago Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 200 million (2020) [61]
Slack Slack Technologies August 2013;11 years ago Proprietary freemium Proprietary 12 million (2019) [62]
Snapchat Snap Inc. November 2011;13 years agoAndroid12.27.0.8 [63]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-03-29 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 557 million (2022) [38]
iOS12.27.0.37 [64]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-03-28
Surespot Surespot LLC2013;11 years agoAndroid81 [65]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2019-04-27 GPL-3.0-or-later + freemiumDefunct
iOS21 [66]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2018-11-14
TeamNote TeamNote Limited2012;12 years ago Subscription Proprietary
Telegram Telegram Messenger LLP2013;11 years agoAndroid11.3.1 [67]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-31 GPL-2.0-or-later Proprietary 700 million (2022) [68] 900 million (2024) [69]
iOS, iPadOS11.3 [70]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-31 GPL-2.0-or-later
Desktop5.7.1 [71]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-01 GPL-3.0-or-later
macOS11.3 [72]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-10-31 GPL-2.0-or-later
Threema Threema GmbHDecember 2012;12 years agoAndroid5.6.2 [73]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-28 AGPL-3.0-only Proprietary 10 million (2021) [74]
iOS4.6.17 [75]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2022-03-14
Web AGPL-3.0-or-later
Trillian Cerulean StudiosJuly 1, 2000;24 years agoAndroid6.6.0.13 [76]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-07-25 Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary
iOS6.6.12 [77]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-06-05
Linux6.3.0.1 [78]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2020-05-27
macOS6.5 Build 43 [79]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-09-08
Windows6.5 Build 31 [80]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-08-18
Web6.5 Build 12 [81]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-01-05
Viber Rakuten ViberDecember 2, 2010;14 years agoAndroid20.4.3.0 [82]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-07-02 Proprietary freemium Proprietary 260 million (2019) [83]
iOS20.4.0 [84]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-07-04
Linux20.3.0.1 [85]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-06-14
macOS20.2.0 [86]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-06-12
Windows20.4.0.0 [87]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-06-30
WeChat Tencent Holdings Limited January 21, 2011;13 years ago Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1.263 billion (2022) [38]
WhatsApp Meta Platforms January 2009;15 years agoAndroid2.24.22.79 [88]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-11-04 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 2 billion (2020), [89] confirmed in 2024 [90]
iOS24.19.80 [91]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-09-26
macOS24.16.78 [92]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-08-13
Windows2.2429.10.0 [93]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2024-07-29
Wire Wire Swiss GmbHDecember 3, 2014;10 years agoAndroid4.3.5 [94]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-09-27 GPL-3.0-or-later AGPL-3.0-or-later
iOS3.110.1 [95]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-08-08
Linux3.31.3060 [96]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-05-16
macOS3.31.4556 [97]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-05-16
Windows3.31.4421 [98]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-05-16
Web0.27 [99]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 2023-07-13
ClientDeveloperInitial releasePlatformLatest release License (client) License (server) Monthly active users
VersionDate

Operating system support

Operating system support for messaging clients
Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS
Beeper YesYesYesNoYesYes
Briar NoNoYesNoYesNo
Discord YesYesYesYesYesYes
Element YesYesYesYesYesYes
Fractal NoYesYesNoYesYes
Gadu-Gadu YesYesYesYesYesYes
Gajim YesYesYesYesYesYes
Gitter YesNoYesNoNoNo
Google Chat NoNoNoYesYesYes
Google Messages (RCS)No [a] No [a] Needs third-party client [a] [100] YesIncludedNo
ICQ YesYesYesYesYesYes
Jami YesYesYesYesYesYes
Jitsi YesYesYesYesYesYes
KakaoTalk YesYesNoNoYesYes
Kik Messenger NoNoNoNoYesYes
Line YesYesAs browser extension [101] NoYesYes
Linphone YesYesYesNoYesYes
Mattermost YesYesYesYesYesYes
Messages (Apple) NoIncludedNoNoNoIncluded
Messenger YesYesNeeds third-party client [a] [102] YesYesYes
Mumble YesYesYesYesYes
Movim YesYesYesYesYesYes
Palringo NoNoNoNoYesYes
Paltalk YesYesNoNoYesYes
Pidgin YesYesYesNoNoNo
Psi YesYesYesNoNoNo
RetroShare YesYesYesNoYesNo
Ricochet YesYesYesNoNoNo
Session YesYesYesNoYesYes
Signal YesYesYesNoYesYes
Skype IncludedYesYesYesYesYes
Slack YesYesYesYesYesYes
Snapchat NoNoNoNoYesYes
Surespot NoNoNoNoYesYes
TeamNote No [a] No [a] No [a] YesYesYes
Telegram YesYesYesYesYesYes
Tencent QQ YesYesYesYesYesYes
Threema YesYesYesYesYesYes
Trillian YesYesYesYesYesYes
Viber YesYesYesNoYesYes
WeChat YesYesNeeds third-party client [a] [103] YesYesYes
WhatsApp YesYesNeeds third-party client [a] [105] [106] [107] YesYesiPhone devices only. App cannot be installed on iPad, iPod Touch.
Wire YesYesYesYesYesYes
Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS

Connectivity

ClientRegistration requirementIndependent of mobile phone End-to-end encryption Peer-to-peer text chat Open source servers Federated servers
Briar NoYesYes—(P2P)—(P2P)
Discord Email or Phone numberYesNoNoNoNo
Element NoYesYes [108] NoYesYes
Fractal NoNoYesYes
Gadu-Gadu Email and Phone numberNoNo
Gajim NoYesWith plugin onlyNoYes
Gitter ??????
Google Chat Email; Google accountYes
Google Messages (RCS)Phone numberSimilar to SMS requirements, RCS messaging requires a valid SIM card to be inserted in the device.
RCS chat features may continue to work for up to 14 days, when a SIM card is removed from the device. [109] 		Yes, only for RCS chats—[ clarification needed ]Yes
ICQ Phone numberPhone required for initial registration.
Desktop client can function independently afterwards. [110] 		No
Jami NoNoYesYes—(P2P)—(P2P)
Jitsi NoYesNoYesYes
KakaoTalk NoNoNoNo
Kik Messenger EmailNoNoNoNo
Line Phone numberNoNoNoNo
Linphone NoYesNoNoYesYes
Mattermost NoYesNo
Messages (Apple) Email; Apple ID accountYesNo—[ clarification needed ]—[ clarification needed ]
Messenger Email or Phone number; Facebook accountYesNoNoNo
Movim NoNoYesYes
Mumble noYesYesYes
Palringo NoNoNo
Paltalk EmailNoNo
Pidgin NoYesWith extension onlyYesYesYes
Psi No
RetroShare Yes—(P2P)—(P2P)
Ricochet Yes—(P2P)—(P2P)
Session NoYesYesNoYesYes
Signal Phone number; iOS or Android device. [111] [112] VoIP number [113] VoIP workaround [113] YesNoYes [114] No
Skype Email; Microsoft accountYesNoNoNo
Slack EmailYesNoNoNo
Snapchat Email or Phone numberNoNoNoNo
Surespot NoNoNo
TeamNote
Telegram Phone number; iOS or Android device [115] Phone required for initial registration & login.
Desktop client can function independently afterwards. [116] 		For some features: secret chats, [117] voice and video calls, [118] and voice chats in groups [118] NoNoNo
Tencent QQ No [119] [120] NoNoNoNo
Threema NoA valid phone number or email address is not required for registration & login.
However, the mobile app serves as the primary device, due to the end-to-end encryption architecture. [121] 		YesNoNoNo
Trillian NoYesNoNoYes
Viber Phone numberNoNoNoNo
WeChat Phone number or QQ numberNoNoNoNoNo
WhatsApp Phone numberNoYesNoNoNo
Wire Email or Phone numberYesYes [122] NoYes [123] Yes
ClientRegistration requirementIndependent of mobile phone End-to-end encryption Peer-to-peer text chat Open source servers Federated servers

Privacy

Some messaging services that are not designed for privacy require a unique phone number for sign-up, as a form of identity verification and to prevent users from creating multiple accounts.

Some messaging services that do not solely focus on a mobile-first experience, or enforce SMS authentication, may allow email addresses to be used for sign-up instead.

Some messaging services offer greater flexibility and privacy, by allowing users to create more than one account to compartmentalize personal & work purposes, or not requiring personally identifiable information for sign-up.

To find out if the software has end-to-end encryption, see "media" table below.

ClientShare usernameHide numberAccount expirationReset passwordPassword lockoutSearch for contactsVoice changer Plugins
Briar by public key or in-person pairing
Discord •Username & Discord Tag
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled		No
Element •Username
•Matrix ID		Yes
Fractal •Username
•Matrix ID
Gadu-Gadu No
Gajim Yes
Gitter
Google Chat •Email address
Google Messages (RCS)•Phone number
ICQ Yes
Jami YesNo (not stored on servers)No (not stored on servers)No (not stored on servers) [124] by random identifier or email-like addressNoYes
Jitsi by shared 4-random-words URLYes
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger •Username
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled
Line •Username
•Phone number
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled (sending friend requests are required)		Yes
Linphone
Mattermost Yes
Messages (Apple) •Email address
•Phone number		No
Messenger •Facebook profile
•Username URL
•Phone number
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled		Yes
Movim No
Mumble •username
Palringo No
Paltalk No
Pidgin Yes
Psi Yes
RetroShare
Ricochet
Signal YesDefault. Number is only visible if it is saved to a friend's contactNo [125] 30 seconds after 5 fails•Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		No
Skype •Username
•Email address
•Phone number		Yes
Slack •Name (requires joining a Slack workspace)
•Email address invitation (requires Slack Connect)		Yes
Snapchat •Username
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled		Yes
Surespot NoNo
TeamNote
Telegram 6 months5 seconds after 3 fails•Username
•Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		No
Tencent QQ No
Threema No
Trillian Yes
Viber •Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		Yes
WeChat •Username
•Phone number
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled
(sending friend requests are required)
WhatsApp No•Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		No
Wire No
ClientShare usernameHide numberAccount expirationReset passwordPassword lockoutSearch for contactsVoice changer Plugins

Screenshot security

ClientHide number in chatsLock screen timeoutLock screen when closedLock screen buttonScreenshot detectionScreenshot/recording disabled (Android only) [126]
Briar YesYes
Discord No
Element No
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim
Gitter
Google Chat
Google Messages (RCS)
ICQ
Jami No (not stored on servers)NoNoYes [127]
Jitsi No
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger
Line Yes
Linphone
Mattermost No
Messages (Apple) No
Messenger No
Movim  ?
Mumble
Palringo
Paltalk
Pidgin
Psi
RetroShare
Ricochet
Signal YesNoYesYes [128]
Skype
Slack
Snapchat Yes
Surespot
TeamNote
Telegram YesYesNoYes (on Secret Chats) [129] Yes (on Secret Chats) [130]
Tencent QQ
Threema Yes
Trillian
Viber Yes
WeChat
WhatsApp NoFingerprint sensor
Wire No
ClientHide number in chatsLock screen timeoutLock screen when closedLock screen buttonScreenshot detectionScreenshot/recording disabled (Android only) [126]

Message handling

ClientThreadsSent messagesRead messagesSelf-destructing messages
ThreadsCollapse [131] IgnoreEditingDeletingDelete for contactsDelete notificationReceiptsHide receiptsExistsDeletion trigger
Briar Yes [132] NoNoYesNo
Discord YesYes [133] Yes [134] YesYesNoNo
Element Yes [135] YesNoPartialYesYesNo
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim YesYesNo
Gitter
Google Chat Yes [136] YesYesOriginally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023 [137] Originally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023YesNo
Google Messages (RCS)NoNoNoNoYesYesNo
ICQ NoNoNoYes
Jami NoNoNoNoDesktop onlyNoNot applicableYes [138] Android only [138] Yes
Jitsi NoNoNoNo
KakaoTalk NoNoNo
Kik Messenger NoNoNo
Line NoNoNoNoPartialYesNo
Linphone NoNoNo
Mattermost YesOptional 7+ [139] NoYesYesNoNo
Messages (Apple) NoNoNoNo
Messenger Yes [140] NoNoNoYesYesYes
Movim Yes [141] NoNoYesYesNo
Mumble NoNoNo
Palringo NoNoNo
Paltalk NoNoNo
Pidgin NoNoNoYes
Psi NoNoNoYes
RetroShare YesYes [142] NoNoNoYesNo
Ricochet NoNoNo
Signal NoNoNoYesYesWithin 24 hours [143] YesYesYesYesRead [144]
Skype NoNoNo
Slack YesYes [145] Yes [146] YesYesYes
Snapchat NoNoNoNoYesYesYes
Surespot NoNoNoNo
TeamNote NoNoNoYesYesNo
Telegram No [147] NoNoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesRead
Tencent QQ NoNoNo
Threema No [148] NoNoNoYesYesNo
Trillian NoNoNoYes
Viber NoNoNoYesYesYesYes
WeChat NoNoNo
WhatsApp NoNoNoNoPartialYesYesNo
Wire NoNoNoYesYesYesYes [149]
ClientThreadsSent messagesRead messagesSelf-destructing messages
ThreadsCollapseIgnoreEditingDeletingDelete for contactsDelete notificationReceiptsHide receiptsExistsDeletion trigger

Media

ClientFile transferVoice messagesVoice chatVideo chat E2EE Encrypted local storage
IndividualGroups
Briar YesNoNoNoYesYesYes
Discord YesYesYesYesNoNo
Element
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu YesYesYesNoNo
Gajim YesYesNoNo [150] YesYes
Gitter
Google Chat YesYesYesYesYesNo
Google Messages (RCS)YesYesYesYesYesYes
ICQ YesNoYesYesNoNo
Jami YesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Jitsi YesYesYesYesYes
KakaoTalk YesYesYes
Kik Messenger YesNoNo
Line YesYesYesYesPartialYes [151]
Linphone
Mattermost YesPlug-inPlug-inPlug-inNoNo
Messages (Apple) YesYesYesYesYesYes
Messenger YesYesYesYesYesNo
Movim YesNoYesYesYesFor private group
Mumble YesYesNoNoNo
Palringo NoNoYesNoNoNo
Paltalk YesYesYesNoNo
Pidgin NoNoPartialYesYes
Psi YesYesPartialPartialYesYes
RetroShare YesYesYes
Ricochet Yes
Signal YesYesYesYesYesYesPartial [152]
Skype YesYesYesYesYesNo
Slack YesNoNo
Snapchat NoYesYesYesNoNo
Surespot YesYesYesNoYesNo groupchat
TeamNote YesNo
Telegram YesYesYesYesSecret ChatsNoNo [153]
Tencent QQ YesNoYesYesNoNo
Threema YesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Trillian YesPartialYesYesNoNo
Viber YesYesYesYesYesYes
WeChat YesYesYesYesNoNo
WhatsApp YesYesYesYesYesYesNo
Wire YesYesYesYesYesYesNo
ClientFile transferVoice messagesVoice chatVideo chat E2EE Encrypted local storage
IndividualGroups

Backup and restore messages

Official status to guarantee support for backing up and restoring messages.

Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS
Beeper
Briar
Discord
Element
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim
Gitter
Google Chat
Google Messages (RCS)
ICQ
Jami
Jitsi
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger
Line
Linphone
Mattermost
Messages (Apple)
Messenger
Mumble
Movim
Palringo
Paltalk
Pidgin
Psi
RetroShare
Ricochet
Session
Signal No [154] No [154] No [154] No [154] Yes [154] Yes [154]
Skype
Slack
Snapchat
Surespot
TeamNote
Telegram
Tencent QQ
Threema
Trillian
Viber
WeChat
WhatsApp
Wire
Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS

Miscellaneous

Messaging services can operate around different models, based on security and accessibility considerations. [155]

A mobile-focused, phone number-based model operates on the concept of primary and secondary devices. Examples of such messaging services include: WhatsApp, Viber, Line, WeChat, Signal, etc. The primary device is a mobile phone and is required to login and send/receive messages. Only one mobile phone is allowed to be the primary device, as attempting to login to the messaging app on another mobile phone would trigger the previous phone to be logged out. The secondary device is a computer running a desktop operating system, which serves as a companion for the primary device. Desktop messaging clients on secondary devices do not function independently, as they are reliant on the mobile phone maintaining an active network connection for login authentication and syncing messages.

A multi-device, device-agnostic model is designed for accessibility on multiple devices, regardless of desktop or mobile. Examples of such messaging services include: Skype, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts (subsequently Google Chat), Telegram, ICQ, Element, Slack, Discord, etc. Users have more options as usernames or email addresses can be used as user identifiers, besides phone numbers. Unlike the phone-based model, user accounts on a multi-device model are not tied to a single device, and logins are allowed on multiple devices. Messaging services with a multi-device model are able to eliminate feature disparity and provide identical functionality on both mobile and desktop clients. Desktop clients can function independently, without relying on the mobile phone to login and sync messages.

ClientTyping notificationsMulti-device supportEmoji reactions Stickers GIF searchCustom emoji Themes / skins
Briar NoYesNo
Discord YesYes [156] [157] YesYes (custom stickers require paid)YesPaid [158] Paid [159]
Element Yes [160] [157] YesYesNoYesYes
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu No
Gajim YesYes
Gitter
Google Chat Yes (an optional setting allows messages to be accessible on Gmail as well) [161] [162] YesYesNo
Google Messages (RCS)On secondary web browsers only (phone required to sync messages) [163] Only a limited set of reactions availableYesYesPartial
ICQ Yes [164] YesYesYes
Jami Yes [138] YesPartial [165] No
Jitsi Yes
KakaoTalk On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [166] [167] No
Kik Messenger No [168] YesYes
Line On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [169] YesYesNoYes
Linphone
Mattermost NoYesYes
Messages (Apple) Yes (Apple devices) [170] NoNo
Messenger Yes (messages are also accessible on the main Facebook website) [171] YesYesYesNoYes
Movim YesNoNo
Mumble
Palringo NoYes
Paltalk NoYes
Pidgin NoNoYesYes
Psi YesYes
RetroShare YesNo
Ricochet No
Signal YesOn secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 5 linked devices) [172] YesYesOnly on Android and iOSNoYes
Skype Yes [173] [157] YesYesNoNo
Slack Yes [155] [157] YesYes
Snapchat No [174] YesYesNoNo
Surespot NoYes
TeamNote No
Telegram YesYes [175] [157] [176] Full set of reactions only available on Telegram PremiumYesYesYesYes
Tencent QQ On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [177] NoYes
Threema On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages).
Phone must maintain an active network connection at all times to use the desktop client. [178] 		YesNoYes
Trillian YesYes
Viber On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [179] Only a limited set of reactions availableYesYesNoYes
WeChat On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [180] No
WhatsApp On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 4 linked devices)
Phone must not be offline for ≥ 14 days; message history limited to 3 months.
Unsupported on iPad, iPod Touch. [181] 		YesYesYesNoNo
Wire Yes [182] NoNoNo
ClientTyping notificationsMulti-device supportEmoji reactions Stickers GIF searchCustom emoji Themes / skins

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 In addition to other official and third-party solutions, a native desktop application can be generated for the instant messaging app website using Nativefier. [104]

Related Research Articles

ICQ was a cross-platform instant messaging (IM) and VoIP client founded in June 1996 by Yair Goldfinger, Sefi Vigiser, Amnon Amir, Arik Vardi, and Arik's father, Yossi Vardi. The name ICQ derives from the English phrase "I Seek You". Originally developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis in 1996, the client was bought by AOL in 1998, and then by Mail.Ru Group in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Instant messaging</span> Form of computer communication over the internet or locally

Instant messaging (IM) technology is a type of synchronous computer-mediated communication involving the immediate (real-time) transmission of messages between two or more parties over the Internet or another computer network. Originally involving simple text message exchanges, modern IM applications and services tend to also feature the exchange of multimedia, emojis, file transfer, VoIP, and video chat capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pidgin (software)</span> Open-source multi-platform instant messaging client

Pidgin is a free and open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple that has support for many instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to simultaneously log in to various services from a single application, with a single interface for both popular and obsolete protocols, thus avoiding the hassle of having to deal with new software for each device and protocol.

Tencent QQ, also known as QQ, is an instant messaging software service and web portal developed by the Chinese technology company Tencent. QQ offers services that provide online social games, music, shopping, microblogging, movies, and group and voice chat software. As of March 2023, there were 597 million monthly active QQ accounts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">End-to-end encryption</span> Encryption model where only the sender and recipient can read the ciphertext

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of implementing a secure communication system where only communicating users can participate. No one else, including the system provider, telecom providers, Internet providers or malicious actors, can access the cryptographic keys needed to read or send messages.

This is a comparison of voice over IP (VoIP) software used to conduct telephone-like voice conversations across Internet Protocol (IP) based networks. For residential markets, voice over IP phone service is often cheaper than traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) service and can remove geographic restrictions to telephone numbers, e.g., have a PSTN phone number in a New York area code ring in Tokyo.

eBuddy Instant messaging software

eBuddy is a privately held Dutch software company that offers instant messaging services. As of 2011, eBuddy reported 100 million downloads. The company's flagship service is XMS, a proprietary cross-platform instant messaging service. After some changes of ownership, the company is now again owned by its original founders, Onno Bakker and Jan-Joost Rueb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jami (software)</span> Distributed multimedia communications platform

Jami is a SIP-compatible distributed peer-to-peer softphone and SIP-based instant messenger for Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Jami was developed and maintained by the Canadian company Savoir-faire Linux, and with the help of a global community of users and contributors, Jami positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WhatsApp</span> Messaging and VoIP service owned by Meta

WhatsApp is an instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by technology conglomerate Meta. It allows users to send text, voice messages and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. WhatsApp's client application runs on mobile devices, and can be accessed from computers. The service requires a cellular mobile telephone number to sign up. In January 2018, WhatsApp released a standalone business app called WhatsApp Business which can communicate with the standard WhatsApp client.

Rakuten Viber, or simply Viber, is a cross-platform voice over IP (VoIP) and instant messaging (IM) software application owned by Japanese multinational company Rakuten, provided as freeware for the Google Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS and Linux platforms. Users are registered and identified through a cellular telephone number, although the service is accessible on desktop platforms without needing mobile connectivity. In addition to instant messaging it allows users to exchange media such as images and video records, and also provides a paid international landline and mobile calling service called Rakuten Viber Out. As of 2018, there are over a billion registered users on the network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telegram (software)</span> Cross-platform instant messaging service

Telegram Messenger, commonly known as Telegram, is a cloud-based, cross-platform, social media and instant messaging (IM) service. It was originally launched for iOS on 14 August 2013 and Android on 20 October 2013. It allows users to exchange messages, share media and files, and hold private and group voice or video calls as well as public livestreams. It is available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers. Telegram offers end-to-end encryption in voice and video calls, and in optional private chats, which Telegram calls Secret Chats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Threema</span> Instant messaging smartphone service

Threema is a paid cross-platform encrypted instant messaging app developed by Threema GmbH in Switzerland and launched in 2012. The service operates on a decentralized architecture and offers end-to-end encryption. Users can make voice and video calls, send photos, files, and voice notes, share locations, and make groups. Unlike many other popular secure messaging apps, Threema does not require phone numbers or email addresses for registration, only a one-time purchase that can be paid via an app store or anonymously with Bitcoin or cash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Briar (software)</span> Mesh-networking and messaging app

Briar is an open-source software communication technology, intended to provide secure and resilient peer-to-peer communications with no centralized servers and minimal reliance on external infrastructure. Messages can be transmitted through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, over the internet via Tor or removable storage, such as USB sticks. All communication is end-to-end encrypted. Relevant content is stored in encrypted form on participating devices. Long-term plans for the project include support for distributed applications such as crisis mapping and collaborative document editing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signal (software)</span> Privacy-focused encrypted messaging app

Signal is an open-source, encrypted messaging service for instant messaging, voice calls, and video calls. The instant messaging function includes sending text, voice notes, images, videos, and other files. Communication may be one-to-one between users or may involve group messaging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matrix (protocol)</span> Networking protocol for real-time communication and data synchronization

Matrix is an open standard and communication protocol for real-time communication. It aims to make real-time communication work seamlessly between different service providers, in the way that standard Simple Mail Transfer Protocol email currently does for store-and-forward email service, by allowing users with accounts at one communications service provider to communicate with users of a different service provider via online chat, voice over IP, and videotelephony. It therefore serves a similar purpose to protocols like XMPP, but is not based on any existing communication protocol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signal Protocol</span> Non-federated cryptographic protocol

The Signal Protocol is a non-federated cryptographic protocol that provides end-to-end encryption for voice and instant messaging conversations. The protocol was developed by Open Whisper Systems in 2013 and was introduced in the open-source TextSecure app, which later became Signal. Several closed-source applications have implemented the protocol, such as WhatsApp, which is said to encrypt the conversations of "more than a billion people worldwide" or Google who provides end-to-end encryption by default to all RCS-based conversations between users of their Google Messages app for one-to-one conversations. Facebook Messenger also say they offer the protocol for optional Secret Conversations, as does Skype for its Private Conversations.

Wire is an encrypted communication and collaboration app created by Wire Swiss. It is available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers such as Firefox. Wire offers a collaboration suite featuring messenger, voice calls, video calls, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration – all protected by a secure end-to-end-encryption. Wire offers three solutions built on its security technology: Wire Pro – which offers Wire's collaboration feature for businesses, Wire Enterprise – includes Wire Pro capabilities with added features for large-scale or regulated organizations, and Wire Red – the on-demand crisis collaboration suite. They also offer Wire Personal, which is a secure messaging app for personal use.

Comparison of user features of messaging platforms refers to a comparison of all the various user features of various electronic instant messaging platforms. This includes a wide variety of resources; it includes standalone apps, platforms within websites, computer software, and various internal functions available on specific devices, such as iMessage for iPhones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conversations (software)</span> Free software instant messaging client for the XMPP protocol

Conversations is a free software, instant messaging client application software for Android. It is largely based on recognized open standards such as the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) and Transport Layer Security (TLS).

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