There are more and more ways to get your instant messaging done, with a large number of new online and offline clients from third parties. With so many instant messaging options, it's hard to figure out which one to use. Below, we've listed a large number of online and offline instant messengers, as well the various protocols supported by each, so that you can more easily find the one that's right for you. There's really not all that much difference between each except in interface and supported protocols. The best option for you will likely be the one that supports the networks your friends connect to and has an interface that you feel comfortable using. If there are any we've missed, please mention them in the comments. (Note: we did not link to any official offline clients.)
Name: Meebo
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber
Name: FlickIM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber
Name: Kool IM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Gadu-Gadu, Xfire
Name: eBuddy
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, MySpace
Name: ILoveIM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, webcams/video chat
Name: RadiusIM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk
Name: Imo.im
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk
Name: Mabber
Supports: Proprietary Jabber-based (aimed at mobiles)
Name: IMUnitive
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, gim (proprietary)
Name: Snimmer
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber
Name: EasyMessenger
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, Jabber
Name: MessengerFX
Supports: MSN
Name: IMhaha
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, QQ
Name: Google Talk
Supports: GTalk, Jabber
Name: Yahoo! Web Messenger (web.im)
Supports: Yahoo!, MSN
Name: MSN Web Messenger
Supports: Yahoo!, MSN
Name: AIM Express
Supports: AIM
Name: ICQ2Go
Supports: ICQ
Name: JWChat - Jabber Web Chat
Supports: Jabber
Name: Trillian Astra (closed alpha)
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, MySpace, iChat
Name: Trillian
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, IRC
Platforms: Windows
Name: Pidgin
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, QQ, MySpace, iChat, IRC, Lotus, Novell
Platforms: Windows, UNIX
Name: Adium
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, QQ, iChat, Lotus, Novell, LiveJournal
Platforms: Mac OS X
Name: AirTalker
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, MySpace, Friendster, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, blogging
Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X (via Adobe AIR), also has web version
Name: Miranda IM
Supports: AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, IAX, Tlen, Netsend
Platforms: Windows
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Instant Messaging Round-Up.
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While you're at it, why not round up IM clients on phones (iPhone, Blackberry). Only trouble is the other vector that comes into play is which carrier they support. Thanks. Good work Josh.
Posted by: Mukund Mohan | October 24, 2007 12:09 PMMabber is actually not proprietary but Jabber with working transports for Yahoo, MSN, AIM and ICQ. Even though it is not advertised on the page it can easily be used with any jabber client.
Posted by: Dominik | October 24, 2007 12:33 PMAnd Miranda (www.miranda-im.org) is not represented by a link here. To bad :-/
Posted by: Linus | October 24, 2007 12:42 PM@Dominik: Thanks! I've updated the post. :)
@Linus: I've added it. Thanks.
Posted by: Josh Catone | October 24, 2007 12:43 PMThis is a nice summary. It, however, needs to be more careful in its classification of the clients. I think the author meant browser-based IM clients vs. desktop-based IM clients, not online vs. offline.
Offline IM is meaningless unless you consider faxing or fedex overnight IM. :)
I think this summary makes it clear that "device choice" in terms of choice of IM client is pretty much moot now. It seems that the more important choice is the network (Yahoo, Gtalk, MSN, AOL, etc) and the number of users on each. With Google openly proclaiming that they will federate with other Jabber networks and with Yahoo and MSN supporting federation , the network choice will hopefully soon become moot as well. IM becomes truly useful and dominant when the IM networks interconnect like the PSTN. There is absolutely no reason that I should need to know which IM network provides IM service to my buddies. Your buddy_id should be like a telephone number.
Posted by: john | October 24, 2007 12:50 PM@John: Touche. :D
Posted by: Josh Catone | October 24, 2007 12:53 PMThank you.
Posted by: Linus | October 24, 2007 1:07 PMHow about Velvet Puffin?
http://www.velvetpuffin.com
It's pretty nifty, as well.
Posted by: Katie | October 24, 2007 1:15 PMThat looks like a great list. Thanks for rounding them all up for us.
Posted by: Joshua Jabin | October 24, 2007 1:56 PMAnyone know why the Skype protocol can't be used (or hacked) with another client? Personally, I'd love to see iChat support all the services. Right now, I'd settle for Adium if I didn't have to launch Skype as well.
Posted by: Kawika Holbrook | October 24, 2007 2:59 PMKawila, Skype-to-Skype communications (IM, voice, video) are encrypted and Skype hasn't shared the encryption engine.
Posted by: Phil Wolff | October 24, 2007 3:25 PMmundu.com (gtalk, aol, yahoo, msn)
They have a great iPhone web app.
iphone.mundu.com
Posted by: michael l | October 24, 2007 4:57 PMRadiousIM worked for me perfect. Meebo raps out when signing on and Flick IM didnt even work !! I think its a scam !
Posted by: Harshal Vaidya | October 25, 2007 11:22 AMI would also mention Pibb as an OpenID enabled alternative to all of the listed apps. Pibb brings together the familiarity of forums, and convenience of instant messaging in one browser window. All messages are delivered in real time, then archived automatically for later search/viewing.
You can start a private (IM type) conversation with me by clicking on this link:
https://pibb.com/me/kfox.myopenid.com
Also, while competition, Tangler (http://tangler.com) is doing cool things in this space as well...
Posted by: Kevin Fox | October 25, 2007 11:24 AMGreat summary! Here's another good resource about using MeeboMe
How to use MeeboMe to engage your members
Posted by: Soha El-Borno | October 25, 2007 1:15 PMhttp://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/archive/2007/07/18/meebome-a-beginner-s-guide-to-embed-a-chat-room-into-your-website.aspx
This is all a bit of a mess. I should be able to talk to anyone on any service from any service - Skype included.
Posted by: Charlie | October 26, 2007 11:13 PMawesome list there. meebo is still my favorite online instant messenger.
Posted by: TechMalaya | October 29, 2007 4:24 AMLove me some Pidgin. if they could add the airtalker services they'd dominate!
Posted by: Michael Lambie | October 29, 2007 2:40 PM