Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients

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See also: Messaging apps

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The landscape for instant messaging involves cross-platform instant messaging clients that can handle one or multiple protocols.[1] Clients that use the same protocol can typically federate and talk to one another. The following table compares general and technical information for cross-platform instant messaging clients in active development, each of which have their own article that provide further information.

General

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Client Developer Initial release Platform Latest release License (client) License (server) Monthly active users
Version Date
BlackBerryMessenger Enterprise Blackberry June 2014; 10 years ago (2014-06)[2] iOS, Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary
Beeper <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
May 10, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-05-10) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • Android
  • ChromeOS
  • iOS
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Windows
 Apache-2.0 Apache-2.0
Briar May 9, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-05-09)[2] Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-or-later Not applicable
(peer-to-peer over Bluetooth, WiFi, or Tor network)
Conversations Daniel Gulsche March 24, 2014; 11 years ago (2014-03-24) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-only XMPP protocol
Discord Discord Inc. March 6, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-03-06)[3] Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freeware Proprietary 150 million (2021)[4]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Element New Vector Limited July 2016; 8 years ago (2016-07) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Apache-2.0 Matrix protocol 43 million (2021)[5]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Web Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Fractal March 16, 2018; 7 years ago (2018-03-16) Linux desktops and mobile OSs GPLv3 Matrix protocol
Gadu-Gadu Łukasz Foltyn, GG Network S.A. August 15, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-08-15) Proprietary freeware Proprietary
Gajim Yann Le Boulanger May 21, 2004; 20 years ago (2004-05-21) BSD Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-only XMPP protocol
Linux
macOS
Windows
Gitter New Vector Ltd February 13, 2023; 2 years ago (2023-02-13)[6] Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux MIT License Apache-2.0 (Synapse)
Google Chat (formerly Google Hangouts) Google May 15, 2013; 11 years ago (2013-05-15) (as Google Hangouts)

March 9, 2017; 8 years ago (2017-03-09) (as Google Chat)

 Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
iOS
Web
Google Messages (RCS) 2018; 7 years ago (2018) Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
Web
Wear OS
ICQ Mail.Ru November 1996; 28 years ago (1996-11) Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 11 million (2018)[7]
Jami Savoir-faire Linux Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-or-later Not applicable
(peer-to-peer)
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Jitsi Emil Ivov 2003; 22 years ago (2003) Desktop Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Apache-2.0 Apache-2.0 20 million (2020)[8]
KakaoTalk Kakao Corp. March 18, 2010; 15 years ago (2010-03-18) Proprietary freeware Proprietary 47 million (2021)[9]
Kik Messenger Medialab October 2010; 14 years ago (2010-10) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 15 million (2017)[10]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Line LY Corporation March 2012; 13 years ago (2012-03) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freemium Proprietary 169 million (2020)[11]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Chrome Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linphone Belledonne Communications 2001; 24 years ago (2001) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-or-later or proprietary SIP protocol, could connect to any SIP provider/server, including Linphone's service only for SIP linphone service : over 700,000 in 2024[12]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
BSD
Mattermost Mattermost Inc 2015; 10 years ago (2015) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Apache-2.0 MIT license binary, AGPLv3 for source code, Apache-2.0 for admin tools and config files
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Messenger Meta Platforms August 9, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-08-09) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freeware Proprietary 988 million (2022)[13]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Movim Timothée Jaussoin March 3, 2011; 14 years ago (2011-03-03) Any, Progressive web application Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. AGPL-3.0-or-later XMPP protocol
Mumble[14] September 22, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-09-22) Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS 1.4.287 2022-09-14 3-clause BSD Open source
Palringo Palringo Ltd 2006; 19 years ago (2006) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freemium Proprietary
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Paltalk AVM Software, Inc June 1998; 26 years ago (1998-06) Proprietary freeware Proprietary 5.5 million (2013)[15]
Pidgin Mark Spencer November 1998; 26 years ago (1998-11) BSD Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-2.0-or-later Umpteen, both open protocols and interfaces with proprietary messengers
Linux
macOS
Windows
Psi Psi and Psi+ developers 2001; 24 years ago (2001) Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-2.0-or-later XMPP protocol
macOS
Windows
QQ Tencent Holdings February 10, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-02-10) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary adware Proprietary 597 million (2023)[16]
iOS, iPadOS, watchOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
RetroShare Cyril Soler, Gioacchino Mazzurco 2006; 19 years ago (2006) Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL Not applicable
(peer-to-peer)
Ricochet Invisible.im June 2014; 10 years ago (2014-06) FreeBSD Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.[needs update] (fork took over development, now at 3.0.15) Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. BSD-3-Clause Not applicable
(peer-to-peer over the Tor network)
Linux
macOS
Windows
Signal Signal Foundation July 2014; 10 years ago (2014-07) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-only AGPL-3.0-only 40 million (2021)[17]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-only
Desktop Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. AGPL-3.0-only
Skype Skype Technologies, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation 2003; 22 years ago (2003) Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 200 million (2020)[18]
Slack Slack Technologies August 2013; 11 years ago (2013-08) Proprietary freemium Proprietary 12 million (2019)[19]
Snapchat Snap Inc. November 2011; 13 years ago (2011-11) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freeware Proprietary 557 million (2022)[13]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Surespot Surespot LLC 2013; 12 years ago (2013) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-or-later + freemium Defunct
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
TeamNote TeamNote Limited 2012; 13 years ago (2012) Subscription Proprietary
Telegram Telegram Messenger LLP 2013; 12 years ago (2013) Android Template:Telegram cached versions Template:Telegram cached versions GPL-2.0-or-later Proprietary 700 million (2022)[20]900 million (2024)[21]
iOS, iPadOS Template:Telegram cached versions Template:Telegram cached versions GPL-2.0-or-later
Desktop Template:Telegram cached versions Template:Telegram cached versions GPL-3.0-or-later
macOS Template:Telegram cached versions Template:Telegram cached versions GPL-2.0-or-later
Threema Threema GmbH December 2012; 12 years ago (2012-12) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. AGPL-3.0-only Proprietary 10 million (2021)[22]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Web AGPL-3.0-or-later
Trillian Cerulean Studios July 1, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-07-01) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Web Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Viber Rakuten Viber December 2, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-12-02) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freemium Proprietary 260 million (2019)[23]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
WeChat Tencent Holdings Limited January 21, 2011; 14 years ago (2011-01-21) Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1.263 billion (2022)[13]
WhatsApp Meta Platforms January 2009; 16 years ago (2009-01) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Proprietary freeware Proprietary 2 billion (2020),[24] confirmed in 2024[25]
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Wire Wire Swiss GmbH December 3, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-12-03) Android Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. GPL-3.0-or-later AGPL-3.0-or-later
iOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Linux Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
macOS Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Windows Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Web Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Lua error in Module:Wd at line 405: invalid escape sequence near '"^'.
Client Developer Initial release Platform Latest release License (client) License (server) Monthly active users
Version Date

Operating system support

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Operating system support for messaging clients
Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS
Beeper Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Briar No No Yes No Yes No
Discord Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Element Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fractal No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Gadu-Gadu Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Gajim Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Gitter Yes No Yes No No No
Google Chat No No No Yes Yes Yes
Google Messages (RCS) No[lower-alpha 1] No[lower-alpha 1] Needs third-party client[lower-alpha 1][26] Yes Included No
ICQ Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jami Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jitsi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
KakaoTalk Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
Kik Messenger No No No No Yes Yes
Line Yes Yes As browser extension[27] No Yes Yes
Linphone Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Mattermost Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Messages (Apple) No Included No No No Included
Messenger Yes Yes Needs third-party client[lower-alpha 1][28] Yes Yes Yes
Mumble Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Movim Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Palringo No No No No Yes Yes
Paltalk Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
Pidgin Yes Yes Yes No No No
Psi Yes Yes Yes No No No
RetroShare Yes Yes Yes No Yes No
Ricochet Yes Yes Yes No No No
Session Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Signal Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Skype Included Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Slack Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Snapchat No No No No Yes Yes
Surespot No No No No Yes Yes
TeamNote No[lower-alpha 1] No[lower-alpha 1] No[lower-alpha 1] Yes Yes Yes
Telegram Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tencent QQ Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Threema Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Trillian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Viber Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
WeChat Yes Yes Needs third-party client[lower-alpha 1][29] Yes Yes Yes
WhatsApp Yes Yes Needs third-party client[lower-alpha 1][31][32][33] Yes Yes iPhone devices only. App cannot be installed on iPad, iPod Touch.
Wire Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS

Connectivity

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Client Registration requirement Independent of mobile phone End-to-end encryption Peer-to-peer text chat Open source servers Federated servers
Briar No Yes Yes N/A(P2P) N/A(P2P)
Discord Email or Phone number Yes No No No No
Element No Yes Yes[34] No Yes Yes
Fractal No No Yes Yes
Gadu-Gadu Email and Phone number No No
Gajim No Yes With plugin only No Yes
Gitter ? ? ? ? ? ?
Google Chat Email; Google account Yes
Google Messages (RCS) Phone number Similar to SMS requirements, RCS messaging requires a valid SIM card to be inserted in the device.
RCS chat features may continue to work for up to 14 days, when a SIM card is removed from the device.[35]		 Yes, only for RCS chats N/A[clarification needed] Yes
ICQ Phone number Phone required for initial registration.
Desktop client can function independently afterwards.[36]		 No
Jami No No Yes Yes N/A(P2P) N/A(P2P)
Jitsi No Yes No Yes Yes
KakaoTalk No No No No
Kik Messenger Email No No No No
Line Phone number No No No No
Linphone No Yes No No Yes Yes
Mattermost No Yes No
Messages (Apple) Email; Apple ID account Yes No N/A[clarification needed] N/A[clarification needed]
Messenger Email or Phone number; Facebook account Yes No No No
Movim No No Yes Yes
Mumble no Yes Yes Yes
Palringo No No No
Paltalk Email No No
Pidgin No Yes With extension only Yes Yes Yes
Psi No
RetroShare Yes N/A(P2P) N/A(P2P)
Ricochet Yes Yes N/A(P2P) N/A(P2P)
Session No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Signal Phone number; iOS or Android device.[37][38] VoIP number[39] VoIP workaround[39] Yes No Yes[40] No
Skype Email; Microsoft account Yes No No No
Slack Email Yes No No No
Snapchat Email or Phone number No No No No
Surespot No No No
TeamNote
Telegram Phone number; iOS or Android device[41] Phone required for initial registration & login.
Desktop client can function independently afterwards.[42]		 For some features: secret chats,[43] voice and video calls,[44] and voice chats in groups[44] No No No
Tencent QQ No[45][46] No No No No
Threema No A valid phone number or email address is not required for registration & login.
However, the mobile app serves as the primary device, due to the end-to-end encryption architecture.[47]		 Yes No No No
Trillian No Yes No No Yes
Viber Phone number No No No No
WeChat Phone number or QQ number No No No No No
WhatsApp Phone number No Yes No No No
Wire Email or Phone number Yes Yes[48] No Yes[49] Yes
Client Registration requirement Independent of mobile phone End-to-end encryption Peer-to-peer text chat Open source servers Federated servers

Privacy

Some messaging services that are not designed for privacy require a unique phone number for sign-up, as a form of identity verification and to prevent users from creating multiple accounts.

Some messaging services that do not solely focus on a mobile-first experience, or enforce SMS authentication, may allow email addresses to be used for sign-up instead.

Some messaging services offer greater flexibility and privacy, by allowing users to create more than one account to compartmentalize personal & work purposes, or not requiring personally identifiable information for sign-up.

To find out if the software has end-to-end encryption, see "media" table below.

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Client Share username Hide number Account expiration Reset password Password lockout Search for contacts Voice changer Plugins
Briar by public key or in-person pairing
Discord •Username & Discord Tag
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled		 No
Element •Username
•Matrix ID		 Yes
Fractal •Username
•Matrix ID
Gadu-Gadu No
Gajim Yes
Gitter
Google Chat •Email address
Google Messages (RCS) •Phone number
ICQ Yes
Jami Yes No (not stored on servers) No (not stored on servers) No (not stored on servers)[50] by random identifier or email-like address No Yes
Jitsi by shared 4-random-words URL Yes
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger •Username
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled
Line •Username
•Phone number
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled (sending friend requests are required)		 Yes
Linphone
Mattermost Yes
Messages (Apple) •Email address
•Phone number		 No
Messenger •Facebook profile
•Username URL
•Phone number
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled		 Yes
Movim No
Mumble •username
Palringo No
Paltalk No
Pidgin Yes
Psi Yes
RetroShare
Ricochet
Signal Yes Default. Number is only visible if it is saved to a friend's contact No[51] 30 seconds after 5 fails •Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		 No
Skype •Username
•Email address
•Phone number		 Yes
Slack •Name (requires joining a Slack workspace)
•Email address invitation (requires Slack Connect)		 Yes
Snapchat •Username
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled		 Yes
Surespot No No
TeamNote
Telegram 6 months 5 seconds after 3 fails •Username
•Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		 No
Tencent QQ No
Threema No
Trillian Yes
Viber •Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		 Yes
WeChat •Username
•Phone number
•Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled
(sending friend requests are required)
WhatsApp No •Phone number
(Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)		 No
Wire No
Client Share username Hide number Account expiration Reset password Password lockout Search for contacts Voice changer Plugins
  • 1: Apple iOS doesn't allow screenshot protection.

Screenshot security

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Client Hide number in chats Lock screen timeout Lock screen when closed Lock screen button Screenshot detection Screenshot/recording disabled (Android only)[52]
Briar Yes Yes
Discord No
Element No
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim
Gitter
Google Chat
Google Messages (RCS)
ICQ
Jami No (not stored on servers) No No Yes[53]
Jitsi No
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger
Line Yes
Linphone
Mattermost No
Messages (Apple) No
Messenger No
Movim  ?
Mumble
Palringo
Paltalk
Pidgin
Psi
RetroShare
Ricochet
Signal Yes No Yes Yes[54]
Skype
Slack
Snapchat Yes
Surespot
TeamNote
Telegram Yes Yes No Yes (on Secret Chats)[55] Yes (on Secret Chats)[56]
Tencent QQ
Threema Yes
Trillian
Viber Yes
WeChat
WhatsApp No Fingerprint sensor
Wire No
Client Hide number in chats Lock screen timeout Lock screen when closed Lock screen button Screenshot detection Screenshot/recording disabled (Android only)[52]

Message handling

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Client Threads Sent messages Read messages Self-destructing messages
Threads Collapse[57] Ignore Editing Deleting Delete for contacts Delete notification Receipts Hide receipts Exists Deletion trigger
Briar Yes[58] No No Yes No
Discord Yes Yes[59] Yes[60] Yes Yes No No
Element Yes[61] Yes No Partial Yes Yes No
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim Yes Yes No
Gitter
Google Chat Yes[62] Yes Yes Originally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023[63] Originally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023 Yes No
Google Messages (RCS) No No No No Yes Yes No
ICQ No No No Yes
Jami No No No No Desktop only No Not applicable Yes[64] Android only[64] Yes
Jitsi No No No No
KakaoTalk No No No
Kik Messenger No No No
Line No No No No Partial Yes No
Linphone No No No
Mattermost Yes Optional 7+[65] No Yes Yes No No
Messages (Apple) No No No No
Messenger Yes[66] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Movim Yes[67] No No Yes Yes No
Mumble No No No
Palringo No No No
Paltalk No No No
Pidgin No No No Yes
Psi No No No Yes
RetroShare Yes Yes[68] No No No Yes No
Ricochet No No No
Signal No No No Yes Yes Within 24 hours[69] Yes Yes Yes Yes Read[70]
Skype No No No
Slack Yes Yes[71] Yes[72] Yes Yes Yes
Snapchat No No No No Yes Yes Yes
Surespot No No No No
TeamNote No No No Yes Yes No
Telegram No[73] No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Read
Tencent QQ No No No
Threema No[74] No No No Yes Yes No
Trillian No No No Yes
Viber No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
WeChat No No No
WhatsApp No No No No Partial Yes Yes No
Wire No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes[75]
Client Threads Sent messages Read messages Self-destructing messages
Threads Collapse Ignore Editing Deleting Delete for contacts Delete notification Receipts Hide receipts Exists Deletion trigger

Media

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Client File transfer Voice messages Voice chat Video chat E2EE Encrypted local storage
Individual Groups
Briar Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes
Discord Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Element
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu Yes Yes Yes No No
Gajim Yes Yes No No[76] Yes Yes
Gitter
Google Chat Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Google Messages (RCS) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ICQ Yes No Yes Yes No No
Jami Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jitsi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
KakaoTalk Yes Yes Yes
Kik Messenger Yes No No
Line Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial Yes[77]
Linphone
Mattermost Yes Plug-in Plug-in Plug-in No No
Messages (Apple) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Messenger Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Movim Yes No Yes Yes Yes For private group
Mumble Yes Yes No No No
Palringo No No Yes No No No
Paltalk Yes Yes Yes No No
Pidgin No No Partial Yes Yes
Psi Yes Yes Partial Partial Yes Yes
RetroShare Yes Yes Yes
Ricochet Yes
Signal Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial[78]
Skype Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Slack Yes No No
Snapchat No Yes Yes Yes No No
Surespot Yes Yes Yes No Yes No groupchat
TeamNote Yes No
Telegram Yes Yes Yes Yes Secret Chats No No[79]
Tencent QQ Yes No Yes Yes No No
Threema Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Trillian Yes Partial Yes Yes No No
Viber Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
WeChat Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
WhatsApp Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Wire Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Client File transfer Voice messages Voice chat Video chat E2EE Encrypted local storage
Individual Groups

Backup and restore messages

Official status to guarantee support for backing up and restoring messages.

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Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS
Beeper
Briar
Discord
Element
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim
Gitter
Google Chat
Google Messages (RCS)
ICQ
Jami
Jitsi
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger
Line
Linphone
Mattermost
Messages (Apple)
Messenger
Mumble
Movim
Palringo
Paltalk
Pidgin
Psi
RetroShare
Ricochet
Session
Signal No[80] No[80] No[80] No[80] Yes[80] Yes[80]
Skype
Slack
Snapchat
Surespot
TeamNote
Telegram
Tencent QQ
Threema
Trillian
Viber
WeChat
WhatsApp
Wire
Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS

Miscellaneous

Messaging services can operate around different models, based on security and accessibility considerations.[81]

A mobile-focused, phone number-based model operates on the concept of primary and secondary devices. Examples of such messaging services include: WhatsApp, Viber, Line, WeChat, Signal, etc. The primary device is a mobile phone and is required to login and send/receive messages. Only one mobile phone is allowed to be the primary device, as attempting to login to the messaging app on another mobile phone would trigger the previous phone to be logged out. The secondary device is a computer running a desktop operating system, which serves as a companion for the primary device. Desktop messaging clients on secondary devices do not function independently, as they are reliant on the mobile phone maintaining an active network connection for login authentication and syncing messages.

A multi-device, device-agnostic model is designed for accessibility on multiple devices, regardless of desktop or mobile. Examples of such messaging services include: Skype, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts (subsequently Google Chat), Telegram, ICQ, Element, Slack, Discord, etc. Users have more options as usernames or email addresses can be used as user identifiers, besides phone numbers. Unlike the phone-based model, user accounts on a multi-device model are not tied to a single device, and logins are allowed on multiple devices. Messaging services with a multi-device model are able to eliminate feature disparity and provide identical functionality on both mobile and desktop clients. Desktop clients can function independently, without relying on the mobile phone to login and sync messages.

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Client Typing notifications Multi-device support Emoji reactions Stickers GIF search Custom emoji Themes / skins
Briar No Yes No
Discord Yes Yes[82][83] Yes Yes (custom stickers require paid) Yes Paid[84] Paid[85]
Element Yes[86][83] Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu No
Gajim Yes Yes
Gitter
Google Chat Yes (an optional setting allows messages to be accessible on Gmail as well)[87][88] Yes Yes No
Google Messages (RCS) On secondary web browsers only (phone required to sync messages)[89] Only a limited set of reactions available Yes Yes Partial
ICQ Yes[90] Yes Yes Yes
Jami Yes[64] Yes Partial[91] No
Jitsi Yes
KakaoTalk On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)[92][93] No
Kik Messenger No[94] Yes Yes
Line On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)[95] Yes Yes No Yes
Linphone
Mattermost No Yes Yes
Messages (Apple) Yes (Apple devices)[96] No No
Messenger Yes (messages are also accessible on the main Facebook website)[97] Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Movim Yes No No
Mumble
Palringo No Yes
Paltalk No Yes
Pidgin No No Yes Yes
Psi Yes Yes
RetroShare Yes No
Ricochet No
Signal Yes On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 5 linked devices)[98] Yes Yes Only on Android and iOS No Yes
Skype Yes[99][83] Yes Yes No No
Slack Yes[81][83] Yes Yes
Snapchat No[100] Yes Yes No No
Surespot No Yes
TeamNote No
Telegram Yes Yes[101][83][102] Full set of reactions only available on Telegram Premium Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tencent QQ On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)[103] No Yes
Threema On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages).
Phone must maintain an active network connection at all times to use the desktop client.[104]		 Yes No Yes
Trillian Yes Yes
Viber On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)[105] Only a limited set of reactions available Yes Yes No Yes
WeChat On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)[106] No
WhatsApp On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 4 linked devices)
Phone must not be offline for ≥ 14 days; message history limited to 3 months.
Unsupported on iPad, iPod Touch.[107]		 Yes Yes Yes No No
Wire Yes[108] No No No
Client Typing notifications Multi-device support Emoji reactions Stickers GIF search Custom emoji Themes / skins

See also

Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ The Importance of Message Threads in Team Messaging Apps
  58. ↑ Briar User Manual
  59. ↑ Discord Threads FAQ
  60. ↑ Discord I Want To Leave A Thread
  61. ↑ Introducing Threads in Beta!
  62. ↑ Learn how to manage a space with in-line threading
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Organize conversations using Collapsed Reply Threads
  66. ↑ Facebook Messenger gets threaded replies
  67. ↑ Movim: a decentralized open-source XMPP-based messaging and social platform
  68. ↑ Retroshare » Docs » User Guide » Interface
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Use threads to organize discussions
  72. ↑ How to Unfollow Thread in Slack?
  73. ↑ Bugs and Suggestions » Threads
  74. ↑ Comparison of Communication Tools for Companies
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  79. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 80.3 80.4 80.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  82. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 83.2 83.3 83.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  84. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  85. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  86. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  87. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  88. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  89. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  90. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  91. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  92. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  93. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  94. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  95. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  96. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  97. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  98. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  99. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  100. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  101. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  102. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  103. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  104. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  105. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  106. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  107. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  108. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.


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