Secure Lan Messenger BeeBEEP is an open source, peer to peer, LAN messenger that you can use to talk to and share files with anybody inside.
Instant messaging has become so ubiquitous, an entire generation of internet users is probably unaware there was ever life without it. Check out the following five most popular instant messengers to to help you communicate across networks and the world.
Last week we asked you to share your favorite instant messenger with us, and now we're back to share the top five candidates for the title of Best Instant Messenger. The following instant messengers all support multiple IM protocols, more than we could reasonable list in every single entry. If you'd like a quick way to compare clients while reading over the list, check out the extensive instant messenger comparison chart at Wikipedia.
Advertisement
Best Instant Messenger?
Instant messaging is a staple of the modern communication toolkit. Once you were locked into using…
Read more ReadDigsby (Windows, Free)
Advertisement
Digsby's widespread popularity has recently taken a few lumps after they began including crapware in their installer and offering affiliate money to users who help them spread said crap. Despite these two moves, which have left quite a few users grumbling, Digsby is still a chat client with quite a lot to offer (and you can skip the bloat with the right download). Digsby supports multiple chat networks and allows you to merge your friends' multiple usernames into one unified entry on your contact list. When you have Digsby minimized to the system tray, you'll receive notification-style pop-up bubbles when messaged that you can reply right in. Digsby also supports email notifications for popular web-based email services through IMAP and POP3. Social networking isn't left out, either, as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn can all be viewed and updated via Digsby.
Anyone who's put off by the bloat, here's a link to the alternate installer, which is…
Read more ReadAdium (Mac, Free)
Advertisement
Adium is an open-source chat client for Mac OS X. Adium supports multiple chat and social networking services like AIM, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, MySpace, and Facebook, among others. Thanks to integration with the Mac OS, Adium can pull from your address book to populate your contacts list, use system themes, and issue system notifications including Growl notifications. Adium also has support for all kinds of plug-ins and the hundreds of 'Xtras'—Adium's label for customization packages. If you'd like to keep things private, Adium also supports encrypted chat via Off-The-Record Messaging and is the only client in the Hive to have native support for it—though Pidgin and Trillian can take advantage of it via plug-in.
Pidgin (Windows/Linux, Free)
Advertisement
Pidgin is another open-source offering with a great feature set and support for popular chat networks such as AIM, ICW, Google Talk, and MSN Messenger, among others. You can download a variety plug-ins to enhance your chat experience by keeping spam away, encrypting your conversations, connecting to social networks, and more. Pidgin doesn't have the most bells and whistles of the clients represented in this Hive, but its open-source code, cross-platform availability, and portable version keep many people coming back to use the streamlined tool. If Pidgin is the apple of your IM eye, be sure to check out our ten must-have plug-ins to power up Pidgin.
Power Up Your Buddy List with These Awesome Pidgin Plugins
Pidgin is our favorite instant messaging application for Windows, not only for all its great…
Read more ReadMeebo (Web-Based, Free)
Advertisement
Meebo is a web-based instant messaging solution. Rather than requiring you to install a client on your computer, you handle all of your instant messaging affairs through the Meebo web site (although they do have a lightweight system tray notifier available for Windows users). Registration is optional if you're using a single service like AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, or MSN Messenger; you can simply use your credentials for that service to log into it through Meebo. If you want to build a more fleshed out profile that logs into multiple services at once, you'll need to sign up for a free Meebo account. One bonus for people behind a corporate firewall, assuming that your firewall isn't blocking the actual Meebo site, is that as long as you can use secure web sites (those with the https:// designation), you can connect to all your favorite chat services.
Trillian Astra (Windows, Basic: Free, Pro: $25)
Advertisement
Trillian seemed to all but disappear from the instant messaging scene for a while there, but it's come back in full force with the beta-release of Trillian Astra (which most were suspecting may have been vaporware). Trillian Astra has an extensive feature list, although some of the juicier features are disabled after 30 days if you don't upgrade to the Pro edition. Trillian supports the regular customers like AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, and MSN Messenger, as well as Facebook, MySpace, Skype, IRC, and Twitter. While video and audio support are notably lacking from most of the entries in the Hive, Trillian circumvents the problem of trying to play nice with 3rd party protocols by sporting its own video and chat service that is run through the Astra network.
Now that you've had a chance to look over the contenders for best instant messenger, it's time to cast your vote in the poll below:
Advertisement
Which Instant Messenger is Best?
![Messenger Messenger](http://www.123flashchat.net/img/webmessenger/facebook-messenger-web-chat-bar-m.gif)
Have a plug-in for your favorite instant messenger you just have to share? Can't believe your favorite didn't make the cut? Sound off in the comments.
Advertisement
We share more about our lives through photos, videos, GIFs, emojis and more. Traditional text messaging seems to be on its way out as mobile web messaging apps attract more users.
Here are some of the most popular mobile instant message apps that people are turning to as a replacement or additional service to SMS texting.
of 10
Facebook Messenger
What We Like
- Ease of use.
- Large gallery of images.
- Video chat available.
What We Don't Like
- Requires storage space.
- Can drain device battery.
A lot of people have a Facebook account, making it the standard platform for getting in touch with people. And to make things even more convenient, you don't necessarily need to have a Facebook account to use the Messenger app.
You can easily start chatting with a friend or a group of friends using multimedia-rich content or instantly call them up on mobile from within the conversation. Other advanced features such as sending and receiving payments are also available.
- iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Desktop web
of 10
What We Like
- Send broadcast messages.
- Make audio and video calls.
What We Don't Like
- No stickers or filters.
- Limits on file size.
WhatsApp is another popular instant messaging service that allows users to chat back and forth with individuals and in groups.
Acquired by Facebook for $19 million in February 2014, the app lets anyone send unlimited text, photo, audio, and video messages to their friends freely and securely. Free video calls can also be made for face-to-face conversations.
- iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Blackberry
- Nokia
- Mac
- Windows PC
of 10
What We Like
- Full-featured.
- Multiple communication options.
What We Don't Like
- Outdated interface.
- Lack of privacy settings.
WeChat promises free, crystal clear voice and video calls along with individual and group instant messaging.
It offers multimedia messaging, group chat and calls, sticker galleries, your own moments' photo stream and so much more. The app's unique and convenient walkie-talkie mode also lets you talk to up to 500 other friends with integrated real-time location sharing and up to nine people in video group calls.
- iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Windows PC
- Mac
- Desktop web
of 10
Telegram
What We Like
- Send and receive multiple media types.
- Encrypted calling.
What We Don't Like
- Limited ability to pin chats.
- Fewer users than other instant messaging apps.
Telegram is becoming more of a popular choice for those who want to connect from some of the most remote locations and be ensured that their data and privacy is kept super secure.
You can chat with up to a thousand members in a group, send documents, store your media in the cloud and so much more. According to its website, Telegram messages are encrypted and also self-destruct (similar to Snapchat) according to a timer you can set up. It's known as an ideal alternative if speed and simplicity are what you're looking for.
- iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Windows PC
- Mac
- Linux
- Desktop web
of 10
LINE
What We Like
- Nice variety of stickers.
- Voice calling availability.
- Follow popular accounts.
What We Don't Like
- Slightly sloppy appearance.
- No video calling.
- Must download audio messages.
LINE was once considered WhatsApp's biggest competitor, offering all the various features needed for instant messaging.
You can send unlimited text, images, video, and audio messages—with options for making voice and video calls as well. LINE also has its very own built-in social networking feature that allows its users to post their day-to-day activities on their timeline and comment on friends' activities.
- iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Windows PC
- Mac
- Google Chrome
of 10
Viber
What We Like
- Nice selection of emoticons.
- Integrates contact list.
What We Don't Like
- No call blocking option.
- No tablet support.
Viber is another popular messaging app that rivals many of the other ones listed above, letting you send free unlimited text and photo messages to your friends all around the world.
HD video calls can be made for free as well, and groups can have up to 250 participants. With Viber, you can add fun stickers to your messages, hide chats you don't want to be visible and even use the 'damage control' feature instantly delete messages you regret sending.
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
of 10
Google Hangouts
What We Like
- Intuitive and easy to use.
- Allows for collaboration.
What We Don't Like
- Reportedly being phased out in 2020.
- Sharing screen impedes communication.
Google may be known for its search engine and Gmail service, but it's got one of the simplest and most robust instant messaging apps too.
With Google Hangouts, you can chat instantly either from your desktop or via your mobile device to send multimedia-rich messages. You can also hold video calls with individuals or groups of up to 100 people.
- iOS
- Android
- Google Chrome
- Desktop web
of 10
Kik
What We Like
- Multiple device types supported.
- User-friendly interface.
What We Don't Like
- Strangers can contact you.
- Not designed for minors to use.
Kik is another very popular free instant messaging app that lets you use a username to chat with others in a fun and easy way.
Before Instagram had a private messaging feature of its own, most of its users actually included their Kik usernames in their bios as a way to get in touch. It's still a popular app today that offers convenient, multimedia-rich messaging for one-on-one and group conversations. You can even see when another user is typing back to you in real-time.
- iOS
- Android
of 10
Snapchat
What We Like
- Ease of use.
- Only stores pictures temporarily.
What We Don't Like
- Inability to reshare.
- Time limits on video length.
Snapchat is a free app that lets you chat back and forth with individual friends and groups using disappearing photo or video messages. They can include optional text-based captions, filters, face lenses, geotags, emojis and more.
After the recipient has opened the message and viewed it, it's automatically be deleted. As a nice alternative to sending photo and video messages, you can also start a text or video chat with any friend directly through the app for real-time communication.
- iOS
- Android
of 10
Instagram Direct
What We Like
- Group messaging ability.
- Send videos and photos.
What We Don't Like
- Better for visual interaction than conversations.
- No sense of urgency to respond.
Most people use Instagram to share photos and videos while on the go, but Instagram Direct makes it easy and convenient to privately message individual followers or groups.
Instagram Direct lets you send text messages or optional photo/video messages taken directly through the app that automatically disappear after they're viewed (similar to Snapchat). You can also view who has opened, liked, or commented on your Instagram Direct message in real-time.
- iOS
- Android