iPad Apps to Lightweight

AIM, formerly known as AOL Instant Messenger, is a classic instant messaging application that facilitated real-time online communication. It offered features like one-on-one chat, group conversations, and the ability to share emotions with stickers. While a legacy platform, it represented a significant era in online social interaction, connecting millions globally.

Bleep is a secure and private instant messaging and voice calling application that prioritizes user anonymity through a decentralized, peer-to-peer architecture, offering features like end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls.

Write.as is a minimalist and privacy-focused publishing platform designed for writers who prioritize a distraction-free environment and control over their content. It offers a simple interface for blogging, journaling, and sharing thoughts without the complexity and demands of traditional social media or blogging platforms. It champions anonymity and user ownership.

Sicher is a freeware instant messaging application designed for enhanced privacy and security on mobile platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. It offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, secure file and media sharing, and features like self-destructing messages, focusing on keeping your conversations private.

Curse is a comprehensive online platform designed for the gaming community, integrating robust chat, voice communication, and game management tools.

Monosnap is a powerful and versatile free screenshot and screen recording utility available for both macOS and Windows. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for capturing, annotating, and sharing visual content effortlessly.

Mylio helps you organize, protect, and access your photos and videos across all your devices without relying solely on cloud storage. It leverages a unique approach to keep your entire library synchronized and accessible, offering powerful organization, editing, and sharing tools.

MediBang Paint is a feature-rich, free digital painting and comic creation software available across multiple platforms. It provides a comprehensive toolkit for artists of all levels, from sketching and illustration to manga and comic production.

AES Crypt is a robust and easy-to-use file encryption utility that safeguards your sensitive data using the highly secure AES standard. Available for both Windows and Linux, it offers seamless integration with the operating system shell for fast and efficient encryption and decryption.

ChatSecure is a privacy-focused messaging application for iOS that leverages the robust and decentralized XMPP protocol. It offers strong end-to-end encryption using OTR and OMEMO, ensuring confidential communication.

Org-mode is a powerful and flexible mode for GNU Emacs, designed for note-taking, project planning, to-do list management, and authoring documents. It utilizes simple plain text files with intuitive markup.

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.

MuPDF is a lightweight, portable document rendering engine and viewer for PDF, XPS, and EPUB formats. Known for its speed and accurate rendering, it's ideal for integrating document display into various applications or for users seeking a minimalist, high-performance viewer.

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.

Sookasa provides transparent end-to-end encryption for files stored in Dropbox, automatically protecting sensitive data on any device and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations without changing user workflow.

Skitch simplifies capturing, annotating, and sharing screenshots and images. Its intuitive tools allow for quick edits and elaborations, making communication clearer and more efficient.

Apple Calendar is a personal calendar application developed by Apple Inc., designed to seamlessly integrate with your Apple ecosystem whether you are on macOS or iOS. It allows you to manage your schedule, appointments, and events efficiently, synchronizing across all your devices.

TeamSpeak is a leading voice communication software designed for crystal-clear audio, minimal latency, and high security. Perfect for online gaming, team collaboration, and large community interactions, it offers unparalleled control over your communication server and prioritizes user privacy.

Dolphin Browser is a fast, free, and privacy-focused mobile web browser available for Android and iOS. Known for its gesture controls, ad-blocking capabilities, and customizable interface, it offers a streamlined and personalized browsing experience on mobile devices.

Stack Exchange is a comprehensive network of expert-driven Q&A communities covering diverse topics, from technology and science to arts and crafts. It provides a platform for users to ask and answer questions, fostering knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving.

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.

Reeder is a sleek and powerful RSS reader designed for macOS and iOS users. It provides a streamlined way to subscribe to your favorite news sources, blogs, and podcasts, offering offline reading, multiple account support, and integration with popular RSS services like Feedly.

Opera Mini is a compact and feature-rich mobile browser renowned for its data compression technology. It provides a fast browsing experience, especially on slower networks, by significantly reducing data usage. Ideal for users conscious of data costs or in areas with limited connectivity, it offers essential features like ad blocking and a built-in download manager in a small package.

Ghostery is a powerful privacy browser and extension that blocks ads, stops trackers, and enhances your online anonymity. It provides users with greater control over their digital footprint and browsing speed.

Mumble is a free and open-source voice communication application designed with low latency and high audio quality in mind, primarily for gamers. It offers features like positional audio, an in-game overlay, and strong privacy through encryption.

f.lux is a cross-platform application designed to reduce eye strain and improve sleep patterns by automatically adjusting the color temperature of your display based on your location and time of day. It gradually transitions the screen color from bright daytime tones to warmer, dimmer tones as the evening progresses.

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.

Foxit Reader is a robust and feature-rich PDF reader and editor that provides users with a comprehensive set of tools for viewing, annotating, signing, and creating PDF documents. Known for its blend of performance and functionality, it caters to both casual users and professionals handling complex PDF workflows.

Threema is a secure and private messaging application that prioritizes user anonymity and data protection. It offers end-to-end encryption for all messages, calls, and files, requiring no phone number registration to enhance privacy.