Best Instant Messaging Software & Apps (2025)

Best Instant Messaging Apps and Services

Handpicked collection of the most popular and highly-rated Instant Messaging applications

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YakYak

Open Source

YakYak is a desktop chat client for Google Hangouts.

Ricochet

Open Source

Ricochet uses the Tor network to reach your contacts without relying on messaging servers.

Bit Chat

Open Source

Bit Chat is a secure, peer-to-peer, open source instant messenger with end-to-end encryption.

WeeChat

Open Source

WeeChat is a free and open-source Internet Relay Chat client, which is designed to be light and fast.

Spark

Open Source

Apache Spark is an open-source cluster-computing framework.

Smuxi

Open Source

Smuxi is a cross-platform IRC client for the GNOME desktop inspired by Irssi.

Jitsi

Open Source

Jitsi (formerly SIP Communicator) is a free and open source multiplatform voice (VoIP), videoconferencing and instant messaging application.

Signal

Open Source

Signal is the most scalable encryption tool.

Tox

Open Source

Tox is a peer-to-peer instant-messaging and video-calling protocol that offers end-to-end encryption.

Showing 9 of results

Recently Added Instant Messaging Apps and Services

Latest additions to our Instant Messaging software collection

YakYak

Open Source

YakYak is a desktop chat client for Google Hangouts.

Ricochet

Open Source

Ricochet uses the Tor network to reach your contacts without relying on messaging servers.

Bit Chat

Open Source

Bit Chat is a secure, peer-to-peer, open source instant messenger with end-to-end encryption.

WeeChat

Open Source

WeeChat is a free and open-source Internet Relay Chat client, which is designed to be light and fast.

Spark

Open Source

Apache Spark is an open-source cluster-computing framework.

Smuxi

Open Source

Smuxi is a cross-platform IRC client for the GNOME desktop inspired by Irssi.

Jitsi

Open Source

Jitsi (formerly SIP Communicator) is a free and open source multiplatform voice (VoIP), videoconferencing and instant messaging application.

Signal

Open Source

Signal is the most scalable encryption tool.

Tox

Open Source

Tox is a peer-to-peer instant-messaging and video-calling protocol that offers end-to-end encryption.