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Instant Messaging Round-Up

Written by Josh Catone / October 24, 2007 11:49 AM / 18 Comments

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.)

Online 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

Offline Clients

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


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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 PM


  • Mabber 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 PM


  • And 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 PM


  • This 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 PM


  • Thank you.

    Posted by: Linus | October 24, 2007 1:07 PM


  • How about Velvet Puffin?

    http://www.velvetpuffin.com

    It's pretty nifty, as well.

    Posted by: Katie | October 24, 2007 1:15 PM


  • That looks like a great list. Thanks for rounding them all up for us.

    Posted by: Joshua Jabin | October 24, 2007 1:56 PM


  • Anyone 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 PM


  • Kawila, 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 PM


  • mundu.com (gtalk, aol, yahoo, msn)

    They have a great iPhone web app.

    iphone.mundu.com

    Posted by: michael l | October 24, 2007 4:57 PM


  • RadiousIM 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 AM


  • I 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 AM


  • Great summary! Here's another good resource about using MeeboMe

    How to use MeeboMe to engage your members
    http://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/archive/2007/07/18/meebome-a-beginner-s-guide-to-embed-a-chat-room-into-your-website.aspx

    Posted by: Soha El-Borno | October 25, 2007 1:15 PM


  • 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 PM


  • awesome list there. meebo is still my favorite online instant messenger.

    Posted by: TechMalaya | October 29, 2007 4:24 AM


  • Love me some Pidgin. if they could add the airtalker services they'd dominate!

    Posted by: Michael Lambie | October 29, 2007 2:40 PM




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