Top Alternatives to Yahoo! Messenger

Skype is a versatile communication platform offering free voice and video calls to other Skype users, as well as affordable calls to landlines and mobile phones worldwide. It provides instant messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing features, making it a comprehensive tool for personal and professional connectivity across various devices.

Pidgin is a free and open-source multi-protocol instant messaging client designed to connect users across various chat networks with a single application. It's highly extensible through plugins and supports a wide range of protocols including XMPP, ICQ, and IRC.

Google Hangouts was a versatile communication platform offering instant messaging, voice and video calls, and SMS capabilities directly from web browsers and mobile devices. Integrated deeply with Gmail and other Google services, it provided a convenient way to connect and collaborate across various platforms.

Telegram is a fast and secure cloud-based instant messaging platform offering robust privacy features, large group support, file sharing, and cross-platform synchronization, making it a versatile communication tool.

WhatsApp Messenger is a widely used free messaging and calling app, available globally. It enables communication through text, voice messages, and video calls, facilitating connections between individuals and groups across various devices and platforms.

Adium is a free and open-source instant messaging client for macOS, designed to connect to multiple chat networks simultaneously. Supporting protocols like Jabber (XMPP), Google Talk, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger, Adium provides a unified interface for all your conversations.

Tox is a free, open-source, and secure peer-to-peer instant messaging and video calling protocol designed for strong privacy and censorship resistance. It provides end-to-end encrypted communications without reliance on central servers.

Trillian is a versatile, multi-protocol instant messaging client that unifies various communication platforms like IRC, XMPP, and more into a single, user-friendly interface. It's designed for both personal and team collaboration, offering features like encrypted chats, group collaboration tools, and extensive customization options.

Signal is a secure, open-source messaging application that uses end-to-end encryption to protect user communications. It offers text messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, and file sharing, all with a strong focus on privacy and security. Available on multiple platforms, Signal is a leading choice for individuals prioritizing confidential conversations.

Jitsi is a free and open-source suite of secure, flexible communication tools. It offers multi-platform support for voice (VoIP), video conferencing, and instant messaging, emphasizing privacy and ease of use with no account required to start a meeting.

Digsby was a multi-protocol instant messaging client that unified connections to various chat networks and social media platforms. It allowed users to manage their conversations and updates from services like Aim, Msn, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace all within a single, integrated application.

Miranda IM is a lightweight, open-source, multi-protocol instant messaging client designed specifically for Microsoft Windows. Known for its extensibility and resource efficiency, it allows users to connect to various chat networks simultaneously through a flexible plugin-based architecture.

Imo is a free instant messaging and video calling application designed for global reach, prioritizing reliability, particularly in regions with unstable network conditions. It offers features like voice and video calls, chat, group messaging, and various multimedia sharing options.

Facebook Messenger is the official messaging application from Facebook, enabling users to connect with friends and family through text, voice, and video calls, as well as group conversations and media sharing.

Empathy is a versatile multi-protocol messaging client designed for text, voice, and video communication across numerous IM networks. It offers features like file transfers, location sharing, and integration with various services, providing a unified communication experience.

LINE is a versatile communication platform offering free voice and video calls, messaging, and a wide array of interactive features to connect with friends and family globally. It goes beyond basic chat with unique stickers, timeline posts, and integration with various services, providing a comprehensive social and communication experience in one app.

Psi is a robust, open-source instant messaging client built on the XMPP protocol. It's known for its focus on speed, efficiency, and adherence to XMPP standards, offering a clean interface and strong privacy features for secure and reliable communication.

Wire is a secure, cross-platform messaging and collaboration client offering end-to-end encryption by default for all communication types including messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing across desktop and mobile devices.

Franz is a free, open-source application that consolidates multiple messaging and chat services into a single, convenient interface. It allows users to manage conversations across platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and more without switching between different apps.

Ring (SFLphone) is a free and open-source communication platform offering secure messaging, voice, and video calls. It leverages decentralization and end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy across multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android.

ICQ is a veteran instant messaging platform offering a wide range of communication features, including text chat, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and group chats. It aims to provide a reliable and feature-rich messaging experience with a focus on privacy and security.

WeChat is a comprehensive mobile app offering instant messaging, social networking, payment services, and access to a wide range of mini-programs. It facilitates communication through text, voice, and video, supports group interactions, and integrates various lifestyle services.

appear.in offers effortless, browser-based video conferencing with no downloads, PIN codes, or registration required. Instantly create and join video rooms, perfect for quick meetings, chats, and screen sharing.

Kik Messenger is a popular instant messaging application designed for smartphones. It enables users to send text messages, photos, videos, and participate in group chats. Known for its user-friendly interface and focus on the social aspect of messaging, Kik offers a space for communication and connection.

Gajim is a free and open-source instant messaging client for the XMPP protocol. Built using the GTK+ toolkit, it offers a wide array of features for secure and flexible communication, including encrypted chat, group conversations, multi-protocol support via gateways, and extensive customization options.

iMessage is a secure instant messaging service developed by Apple, seamlessly integrated across its ecosystem of devices. It allows users to send text messages, photos, videos, audio messages, and more, with end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy.

Xabber is a free and open-source XMPP (Jabber) client for Android. It provides secure and reliable instant messaging with support for various XMPP features, including encryption, group chat, and decentralized communication. Leveraging the open XMPP protocol, Xabber offers a privacy-friendly alternative to centralized messaging platforms.

qutIM is a free and open-source, multi-protocol instant messenger designed for connecting to various networks including ICQ, Jabber, Mail.Ru, IRC, and VKontakte. It offers a unified interface for managing multiple accounts and conversations.

Tango is a comprehensive communication platform that offers free messaging, high-quality video and voice calls, and features for discovering and connecting with new people. It integrates social elements like photo sharing and groups, alongside essential security and privacy features.

KakaoTalk is a popular mobile messaging service offering free text, voice, and video calls. Primarily used in South Korea, it provides a comprehensive communication platform with features like group chats, stickers, and a strong emphasis on user privacy and security.

Psi+ is a robust, cross-platform XMPP/Jabber client tailored for users who prioritize control, privacy, and extensibility. As a development branch of the classic Psi client, it offers advanced features for secure and customizable instant messaging.

Conversations is a privacy-focused, open-source XMPP/Jabber client for Android. It offers robust end-to-end encryption using OMEMO and OTR, supports modern XMPP extensions, and provides a secure, decentralized messaging experience without relying on proprietary servers. It's an ideal choice for users prioritizing security and open standards.

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) was a pioneering instant messaging and videotelephony application, originally exclusive to BlackBerry devices, which expanded to support iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile. It facilitated secure text messaging, voice calls, and video calls.

Rambox is a FOSS and portable messaging and emailing application that consolidates numerous web services into a single, convenient interface. It supports a wide array of communication and collaboration platforms, including popular chat, email, and social media services, offering a unified experience with features like unified inbox and notifications.

Bit Chat is a secure, open-source, peer-to-peer instant messenger platform that prioritizes user privacy and security through robust end-to-end encryption and a decentralized network architecture. It empowers users with direct, encrypted communication, bypassing central servers and enhancing resistance to surveillance and censorship.

Zulip is a powerful open-source group chat application designed for team collaboration. It uniquely structures conversations around topics, enabling users to easily catch up on important discussions and manage information overload. Zulip facilitates secure communication with integrated file sharing and various integrations.

Coccinella is a free and open-source, cross-platform XMPP/Jabber client. It offers secure instant messaging, group chat, voice chat, and a unique interactive whiteboard feature. Designed with privacy and security in mind, Coccinella provides encrypted communications and supports various communication protocols for a flexible messaging experience on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Disa is a unified messaging hub that consolidates conversations from various services like SMS, Facebook, and WhatsApp into a single interface, simplifying communication management.

Phoner and PhonerLite are a pair of free softphone applications designed for Windows operating systems. They enable users to make Voice over IP (VoIP) calls and securely communicate using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), with support for end-to-end encryption.

Tkabber is a free and open-source instant messaging client specifically designed for the XMPP protocol. Built with the Tk toolkit, it offers a lightweight yet extensible platform for text-based chat, group conversations, and various interactive functionalities supported by XMPP.

Dasher Messenger is a feature-rich instant messaging application designed for connecting with friends and groups. It goes beyond basic text messaging, offering capabilities to share various forms of media, integrate external content, and even facilitate peer-to-peer transactions.

YakYak is an unofficial desktop client for Google Hangouts, providing a dedicated application experience outside of a web browser with features focused on convenience and improved usability.