This is a list of the latest instant messaging, voice over IP (VoIP) and chat programs, with links to the official sites where you can download them. Unless noted otherwise, all of these programs are free.
We make every effort to keep this listing up-to-date, but before you complain that your favorite IM program isn't listed, let me remind you of two things. First, this is not an exhaustive list of every IM program under the sun — just the ones that are most significant. And secondly, if you would like to see something added, or have an update to report, please, leave a comment. – The BigBlue Crew
The Main Players
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AIM/AOL Messenger Overview | AIM Forum |
7.5.8.2 Windows 2.2.429 Mac OS X 1.5.286 Linux |
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Digsby Overview | Digsby Forum |
2011 Beta | |
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Google Talk Overview | Google Talk Forum |
1.0.0.105 | 21 Nov 2007 |
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ICQ Overview | ICQ Forum |
7.6 | 14 Aug 2011 |
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Skype Overview | Skype Forum |
5.6.0.105 Windows 5.3.0.1093 Mac OS X 3.5.117 iOS 2.2.0.35 Linux 2.5.0.108 Android |
29 Sep 2011 1 Sep 2011 12 Sep 2011 1 Sep 2011 29 Sep 2011 |
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Trillian Overview | Trillian Forum |
5.0.0.35 Windows 1.1.0.7 Mac OS X 1.6.0.36 iOS 1.1.0.30 BlackBerry 1.1.0.221 Android |
28 Jun 2011 3 Jun 2011 8 Jun 2011 25 Feb 2011 6 Jul 2011 |
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Windows Live Messenger Overview | Windows Live Messenger Forum |
2011 Build 15.4.3502.922 | |
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Yahoo! Messenger Overview | Yahoo! Messenger Forum |
10.0.0.1102 Windows 2.5.3 Mac OS X 1.0.4 Unix |
The Contenders
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Adium – Mac | 1.4.3 | 4 Sep 2011 |
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Miranda – PC | 0.9.31 | 7 Oct 2011 |
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QQ 2009 – PC | QQ2011 Beta 2 | |
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Instan-T – PC Overview |
5.0 | 17 Dec 2008 |
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iChat – Mac | 6.0 (927) | |
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Paltalk – PC | 9.0 | |
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Gizmo5 – PC, Mac, Linux, Nokia Tablet | 4.0.5.389 | 07 Mar 2009 |
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Pidgin – PC, Linux Overview | Pidgin Forum |
2.10.0 | 20 Aug 2011 |
The Mobile Crowd
Mobile messaging lets you IM from anywhere. These programs usually have limited features compared to their desktop siblings. Not all programs support all mobile operating systems.
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AIM iPhone, Windows Mobile, G1, Symbian |
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BeeJive IM iPhone |
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IM+ iPhone |
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Fring iPhone |
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Truphone iPhone |
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QQ iPhone |
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Nimbuzz iPhone |
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Palringo iPhone |
A great resource for the latest versions of software in all categories is FileHippo.com. And if you need to find an older version of one of these programs, check out OldVersion.com
To learn which IM lets you communicate with each IM network, check out our IM operability matrix.
This list is still being developed. Your comments and feedback are welcome!
Updated October 10, 2011.
This list is a start, but what about all the great Mac clients? These are all Windows versions! And what about the alternative clients like Adium, Pidgin and Miranda? Hmmmm??
Thanks for the feedback, Scott. Actually, you caught us in sort of a “pre-re-launch test period” where some of our content is still being updated. Tentative plans are to complete the updates this week and go live on March 1st (our 8th anniversary!).
We will definitely be including all the IM programs you mentioned, plus more. We will probably categorize by PC, Linux, Mac, and mobile devices.
But keep the feedback coming!
This is a wonderful inclusion, because we know whether we are using the latest IM clients or not. Furthermore, listing the release date is a wonderful plus. Thanks, Jeff!
Finally! This has got to be one long awaited feature I wanted to see on the forums for a while now. Good stuff!
Looking good! 🙂
Wouldn’t mind seeing Paltalk on the list. They have a browser only version called Paltalk Express for PC, Max and Linux. However, the downloadable Paltalk Scene is still only PC.
Great suggestion, Doris. I’ve added Paltalk. I’ll create a separate reference page for the web-based IM and chat.
there is another that I can think of, these are the current builds they are on and I know
Trillian 3 – build : 3.1.12.0
Trillian 4 ( AKA )Astra – Beta Build 99
and i know at 1 point in time they we’re making a Mac Version but to tell you the truth i have no idead what version they are on for it since i dont use it 😀
Thanks Kevin. We’ve got Trillian 3 listed already, but I’ll add Astra to the list.
In mobile all this messengers are bad… shmessenger is the number one
It must be almost impossible to fully maintain a list like this!? 🙁
I checked (via http://www.filehippo.com File Update) the 5 progs I use, and 3 of them need updating here.
ICQ 6.5.1042 – 2009/3/4
Skype 4.0.0.215 – 2009/3/11
Gizmo Project 4.0.5.389 – 2009/3/7
(Dates shown in international format – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601 )
@Costi – I had never heard of shMessenger before. Are you one of the developers?
@Eagle_Kiwi – It’s hard, but not impossible, thanks to people like you who leave comments! That Filehippo site is a great resource for finding version numbers.
Hi Jeff:
Just released JBuddy Messenger v3.0 today. Runs on mac osx, so, vista, Linux, Solaris, etc. May be the only/first(?) non-Microsoft client supporting Office Communications Server.
Skype did launch 4.1 – you might want to update…
So many IM, for you what is a good Messenger?
because I use skype and it really good to its core and functionality easy to use and userfriendly…
This is by far the best and most comprehensive list of IM clients i have seen so far.
I love MSN, but why is there so many spam messages from russian brides?
great list! I think MO-Call should be added to the list as it supports Windows Live (MSN), Yahoo, ICQ, Facebook contacts. You can also make free calls between MO-Call callers.
I hope other people like it as much as me 🙂
http://www.mo-call.com/en/learn-more/mo-call-for-computers.php
hello everybody
recently i hav com across this website its very cool, but i am searching a messenger which help me to login with my yahoo and gmail id in single messenger and plus it also detect invisible user in my buddy list
very good software
wat’s ebuddy .i saw it at d ovi store