View source for Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients

{{Short description|none}}
{{See also|Messaging apps}}
{{original research|date=December 2020}}
The landscape for [[instant messaging]] involves [[Cross-platform software|cross-platform]] instant messaging clients that can handle one or multiple protocols.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/08/30/the-top-6-best-instant-message-client-apps-on-any-platform/|title=History of Instant Messaging |date=30 August 2011 |publisher=The top 6 best Instant Message client apps on any platform |access-date=2 May 2018}}</ref> 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. 

__TOC__

== General ==
{{sticky header}}
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+
! rowspan="2" | Client
! rowspan="2" | Developer
! rowspan="2" | Initial release
! rowspan="2" | Platform
! colspan="2" | Latest release
! rowspan="2" | [[Software license|License]] (client)
! rowspan="2" | [[Software license|License]] (server)
! rowspan="2" | [[Active users|Monthly active users]]
|-
! style="width: 8em;" | Version <!-- stable version -->
! style="width: 5em;" | Date <!-- ISO 8601 -->
|-
![[BBM Enterprise|BlackBerryMessenger Enterprise]]
|[[BlackBerry Limited|Blackberry]]
|{{Start date and age|2014|06|}}<ref name="briar-download" />
|[[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
|
|
| {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| {{Proprietary}}
|
|-
! [[Beeper_(application)|Beeper]]
| {{plainlist|
* Nova Technology, Inc.
* Beeper, Inc.
* [[Automattic]]
}}
| {{Start date and age|2021|05|10}}
| {{plainlist|
*Android
*ChromeOS
*iOS
*Linux
*macOS
*Windows
}}
| <!-- Latest Release | Version -->
| <!-- Latest Release | Date -->
| {{open source|[[Apache license|Apache-2.0]]}}
| {{open source|[[Apache license|Apache-2.0]]}}
| <!-- Monthly active users -->
|-
! [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| 
| {{Start date and age|2018|05|09}}<ref name="briar-download">{{cite web|url=https://briarproject.org/news/2018-1.0-released-new-funding.html|title=Secure P2P Messenger Releases First Version, Receives New Funding|publisher=Briar|date=9 May 2018|access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref>
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q18210428|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q18210428|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
| {{NA|Not applicable}}{{br}}([[peer-to-peer]] over [[Bluetooth]], [[WiFi]], or [[Tor network]])
| 
|-
![[Conversations (software)|Conversations]]
| Daniel Gulsche
| {{Start date and age|2014|03|24}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q17122691|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q17122691|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-only]]}}
| {{open source|[[XMPP protocol]]}}
|
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Discord]]
| rowspan="5" | Discord Inc.
| rowspan="5" | {{Start date and age|2015|03|06}}<ref name="pcg">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/one-year-after-its-launch-discord-is-the-best-voip-service-available/|title=One year after its launch, Discord is the best VoIP service available|last=Marks|first=Tom|date=May 14, 2016|website=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|access-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516173453/http://www.pcgamer.com/one-year-after-its-launch-discord-is-the-best-voip-service-available/|archive-date=May 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="5" data-sort-value="150000000" | 150 million (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Number of monthly active users (MAU) of Discord worldwide as of September 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1286750/discord-mau-global/ |website=Statista |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q22907849|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="6" | [[Element (software)|Element]]
| rowspan="6" | New Vector Limited
| rowspan="6" | {{Start date and age|2016|07}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="6" {{open source|[[Apache License|Apache-2.0]]}}
| rowspan="6" {{open source|[[Matrix protocol]]}}
| rowspan="6" data-sort-value="43000000" | 43 million (2021)<ref>{{cite press release |date=23 December 2021 |title=2021: It's been a busy year for Element! |url=https://element.io/blog/2021-its-been-a-busy-year-for-element/ |publisher=Element Blog |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q47004029|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q47004029|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q47004029|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Web
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q47004029|P400=Q6368|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q47004029|P348|P400=Q6368|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| {{Start date and age|2018|03|16}}
| Linux desktops and mobile OSs
| 
| 
| {{open source|GPLv3}}
| {{open source|[[Matrix protocol]]}}
| 
|-
! [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| Łukasz Foltyn, GG Network S.A.
| {{Start date and age|2000|08|15}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| 
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Gajim]]
| rowspan="4" | Yann Le Boulanger
| rowspan="4" | {{Start date and age|2004|05|21}}
| BSD
| rowspan="4" | {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q58105|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| rowspan="4" | {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q58105|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="4" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-only]]}}
| rowspan="4" {{open source|[[XMPP protocol]]}}
| rowspan="4" | 
|-
| Linux
|-
| macOS
|-
| Windows
|-
! [[Gitter]]
| New Vector Ltd
|{{Start date and age|2023|02|13}}<ref>{{cite web |title=CHANGELOG.md · develop · gitter / webapp · GitLab |url=https://gitlab.com/gitterHQ/webapp/-/blob/develop/CHANGELOG.md |website=GitLab |language=en |date=15 February 2023}}</ref>
| Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
|
|
| {{open source|MIT License}}
| {{open source|[[Apache license|Apache-2.0]]}} (Synapse)
|
|-
! rowspan="3" |[[Google Chat]] (formerly [[Google Hangouts]])
| rowspan="6" |[[Google]]
| rowspan="3" | {{Start date and age|2013|05|15}} (as Google Hangouts) <p> {{Start date and age|2017|03|09}} (as Google Chat)</p>
| Android
| 
| 
| rowspan="3" {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| rowspan="3" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="3" data-sort-value="500000000" |1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
|-
| iOS
| 
| 
|-
| Web
| 
| 
|-
! rowspan="3" |[[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| rowspan="3" |{{Start date and age|2018}}
| Android
| 
| 
| rowspan="3" {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| rowspan="3" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="3" data-sort-value="500000000" |1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
|-
| Web
| 
| 
|-
| Wear OS
| 
| 
|-
! [[ICQ]]
| [[Mail.Ru]]
| {{Start date and age|1996|11}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[adware]] [[freemium]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| data-sort-value="11000000" | '''Defunct'''
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| rowspan="5" | [[Savoir-faire Linux]]
| rowspan="5" | 
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
| rowspan="5" {{NA|Not applicable}}{{br}}([[peer-to-peer]])
| rowspan="5" | 
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q3459508|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! [[Jitsi]]
| Emil Ivov
| {{Start date and age|2003}}
| Desktop
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q58427|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q58427|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| {{open source|[[Apache license|Apache-2.0]]}}
| {{open source|[[Apache license|Apache-2.0]]}}
| data-sort-value="20000000" | 20 million (2020)<ref>{{cite web |title='It was quite a ride' – Jitsi's Emil Ivov on scaling up the video conferencing platform during a pandemic |url=https://portswigger.net/daily-swig/it-was-quite-a-ride-jitsis-emil-ivov-on-scaling-up-the-video-conferencing-platform-during-a-pandemic |website=The Daily Swig |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=4 September 2020}}</ref>
|-
! [[KakaoTalk]]
| Kakao Corp.
| {{Start date and age|2010|03|18}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| data-sort-value="47000000"| 47 million (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Number of monthly active users of KakaoTalk in South Korea from 2nd quarter of 2015 to 4th quarter of 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/746249/south-korea-kakaotalk-monthly-active-users/ |website=Statista |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Kik Messenger]]
| rowspan="2" | Medialab
| rowspan="2" | {{Start date and age|2010|10}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q874394|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q874394|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="2" {{proprietary}} [[adware]] [[freemium]]
| rowspan="2" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="2" data-sort-value="15000000" | 15 million (2017)<ref name="kik">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2017/08/29/billion-dollar-kik-taps-125-million-token-offering-to-energize-user-base/|title=Billion-Dollar Kik Taps $125 Million Token Offering To Energize User Base|last=Ponciano|first=Jonathan|website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q874394|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q874394|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Line (software)|Line]]
| rowspan="5" | [[LY Corporation]]
| rowspan="5" | {{Start date and age|2012|03}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q602471|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q602471|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}} [[freemium]]
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="5" data-sort-value="169000000" | 169 million (2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=Line Revenue and Usage Statistics (2022) |url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/line-statistics/ |website=Business of Apps |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=19 January 2022}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q602471|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q602471|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Chrome
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q602471|P400=Q777|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q602471|P400=Q777|P548=Q2804309|P348|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q602471|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q602471|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q602471|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q602471|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="6" | [[Linphone]]
| rowspan="6" | Belledonne Communications
| rowspan="6" | {{Start date and age|2001}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q119979|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q119979|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]}} [[dual license|or proprietary]]
| rowspan="6" | SIP protocol, could connect to any SIP provider/server, including Linphone's service
| rowspan="6" | ''only'' for SIP linphone service : over 700,000 in 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Linphone Free SIP Service |url=https://subscribe.linphone.org/login |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=subscribe.linphone.org}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q119979|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q119979|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q119979|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q119979|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q119979|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q119979|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q119979|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q119979|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| BSD
|
|
|
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Mattermost]]
| rowspan="5" | Mattermost Inc
| rowspan="5" | {{Start date and age|2015}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{open source|[[Apache License|Apache-2.0]]}}
| rowspan="5" {{open source|[[MIT license]] binary, [[AGPLv3]] for [[source code]], [[Apache License|Apache-2.0]] for admin tools and config files}}
| rowspan="5" | 
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q55478510|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Meta Platforms]]
| rowspan="4" | {{Start date and age|2011|08|09}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q116947|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q116947|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="4" {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| rowspan="4" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="4" data-sort-value="988000000" |988 million (2022)<ref name="stats2022">{{cite web |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/258749/most-popular-global-mobile-messenger-apps/ |title=Most popular global mobile messenger apps as of January 2022, based on number of monthly active users |website=Statista}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q116947|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q116947|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q116947|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q116947|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q116947|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P348}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q116947|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! [[Movim]]
| Timothée Jaussoin
| {{Start date and age|2011|03|03}}
| Any, [[Progressive web application]]
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q3326936|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q3326936|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
| {{open source|[[XMPP protocol]]}}
| 
|-
! [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://screenshots.debian.net/package/mumble | title=Screenshots.debian.net }}</ref>
| 
| {{Start date and age|2005|09|22}}
| Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
| 1.4.287
| 2022-09-14
| {{open source|3-clause BSD}}
| {{open source}}
| 
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Palringo]]
| rowspan="2" | Palringo Ltd
| rowspan="2" | {{Start date and age|2006}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q58558|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q58558|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="2" {{Proprietary}} [[freemium]]
| rowspan="2" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="2" | 
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q58558|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q58558|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! [[Paltalk]]
| AVM Software, Inc
| {{Start date and age|1998|06}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| data-sort-value="5500000" | 5.5 million (2013)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/17/prism-paltalk/| title=PalTalk: It Was "Flattering" To Be Included In The PRISM Slidedeck | work=TechCrunch | date=17 June 2013 | access-date=2013-08-06}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Mark Spencer (computer engineer)|Mark Spencer]]
| rowspan="4" | {{Start date and age|1998|11}}
| BSD
| rowspan="4" | {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71380|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| rowspan="4" | {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71380|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="4" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]}}
| rowspan="4" | Umpteen, both open protocols and interfaces with proprietary messengers<!--feel free to specify-->
| rowspan="4" | 
|-
| Linux
|-
| macOS
|-
| Windows
|-
! rowspan="3" | [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| rowspan="3" | Psi and Psi+ developers
| rowspan="3" | {{Start date and age|2001}}
| Linux
| rowspan="3" | {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71393|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| rowspan="3" | {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71393|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="3" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]}}
| rowspan="3" {{open source|[[XMPP protocol]]}}
| rowspan="3" | 
|-
| macOS
|-
| Windows
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Tencent QQ|QQ]]
| rowspan="5" | [[Tencent Holdings]]
| rowspan="5" | {{Start date and age|1999|02|10}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q857640|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q857640|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}} [[adware]]
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="5" data-sort-value="597000000" | 597 million (2023)<ref>{{cite web |title=腾讯公布二零二三年第一季业绩 |url=https://static.www.tencent.com/uploads/2023/05/17/2a29b622f5f47130fd062e2299b4635b.pdf |publisher=[[Tencent]] |access-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529045918/https://static.www.tencent.com/uploads/2023/05/17/2a29b622f5f47130fd062e2299b4635b.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2023 |language=Chinese |date=17 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
| iOS, iPadOS, watchOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q857640|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q857640|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|references|edit|Q857640|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q857640|P548=Q2804309|P400=Q1406|P348|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q857640|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q857640|P548=Q2804309|P400=Q14116|P348|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q857640|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q857640|P548=Q2804309|P400=Q388|P348|P577}}
|-
! [[RetroShare]]
| Cyril Soler, Gioacchino Mazzurco
| {{Start date and age|2006}}
| 
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q279182|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q279182|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GPL]]}}
| {{NA|Not applicable}}{{br}}([[peer-to-peer]])
| 
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| rowspan="4" | Invisible.im
| rowspan="4" | {{Start date and age|2014|06}}
| FreeBSD
| rowspan="4" | {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q19894431|P348|P548=Q2804309}}{{update inline|date=October 2022}} (fork took over development, now at 3.0.15)
| rowspan="4" | {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q19894431|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="4" {{open source|[[BSD licenses|BSD-3-Clause]]}}
| rowspan="4" {{NA|Not applicable}}{{br}}([[peer-to-peer]] over the [[Tor network]])
| rowspan="4" | 
|-
| Linux
|-
| macOS
|-
| Windows
|-
! rowspan="3" | [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Signal Foundation]]
| rowspan="3" | {{Start date and age|2014|07}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q19718090|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q19718090|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-only]]}}
| rowspan="3" {{open source|[[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL-3.0-only]]}}
| rowspan="3" data-sort-value="40000000" | 40 million (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-20|title=Signal Revenue & Usage Statistics (2021)|url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/signal-statistics/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Business of Apps|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q19718090|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q19718090|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P348|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-only]]}}
|-
| Desktop
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q19718090|P348|P400=Q16338|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q19718090|P400=Q16338|P548=Q2804309|P348|P577}}
| {{open source|[[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL-3.0-only]]}}
|-
! [[Skype]]
| [[Skype Technologies]], a subsidiary of [[Microsoft Corporation]]
| {{Start date and age|2003}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[adware]] [[freemium]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| data-sort-value="200000000" | '''Defunct'''
|-
! [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| [[Slack Technologies]]
| {{Start date and age|2013|08}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[freemium]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| data-sort-value="12000000" | 12 million (2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Slack Revenue and Usage Statistics (2022) |url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/slack-statistics/ |website=Business of Apps |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Snapchat]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Snap Inc.]]
| rowspan="2" | {{Start date and age|2011|11}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q333618|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q333618|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="2" {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| rowspan="2" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="2" data-sort-value="557000000" | 557 million (2022)<ref name="stats2022"/>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q333618|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q333618|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Surespot]]
| rowspan="2" | Surespot LLC
| rowspan="2" | {{Start date and age|2013}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q15944552|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q15944552|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="2" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]] + freemium}}
| rowspan="2" | 
| rowspan="2" | '''Defunct'''
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q15944552|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q15944552|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! [[TeamNote]]
| TeamNote Limited
| {{Start date and age|2012}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary|[[Subscription business model|Subscription]]}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| rowspan="4" | Telegram Messenger LLP
| rowspan="4" | {{Start date and age|2013}}
| Android
| {{Telegram cached versions|Android version}}
| {{Telegram cached versions|Android date}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]}}
| rowspan="4" {{proprietary}}
| rowspan="4" data-sort-value="700000000" | 700 million (2022)<ref>{{cite web |author1=The Telegram Team |title=700 Million Users and Telegram Premium |url=https://telegram.org/blog/700-million-and-premium |publisher=Telegram |access-date=20 June 2022 |date=19 June 2022}}</ref>900 million (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Guy|last1=Faulconbridge |first2=Lidia|last2=Kelly|publisher=Reuters |date=2024 |title=Telegram to hit one billion users within a year, founder says |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/telegram-platform-hit-1-bln-users-within-year-founder-says-2024-04-17/}}</ref>
|-
| iOS, iPadOS
| {{Telegram cached versions|iOS version}}
| {{Telegram cached versions|iOS date}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]}}
|-
| Desktop
| {{Telegram cached versions|Desktop version}}
| {{Telegram cached versions|Desktop date}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
|-
| macOS
| {{Telegram cached versions|macOS version}}
| {{Telegram cached versions|macOS date}}
| {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]}}
|-
! rowspan="3" | [[Threema]]
| rowspan="3" | Threema GmbH
| rowspan="3" | {{Start date and age|2012|12}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q101604437|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q101604437|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="2" {{open source|[[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL-3.0-only]]}}
| rowspan="3" {{proprietary}}
| rowspan="3" data-sort-value="10000000" | 10 million (2021)<ref>{{cite web |author1=Threema GmbH |title=Threema's Success Story: From the Company's Founding to Today |url=https://threema.ch/press-files/1_press_info/press_threema_story_en.pdf |publisher=Threema |access-date=15 August 2022 |date=January 2021}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q101619028|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q101619028|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Web
| 
| 
| {{open source|[[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
|-
! rowspan="6" | [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| rowspan="6" | Cerulean Studios
| rowspan="6" | {{Start date and age|2000|07|01}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71483|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71483|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="6" {{Proprietary}} [[adware]] [[freemium]]
| rowspan="6" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="6" | 
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71483|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71483|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71483|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71483|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71483|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71483|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71483|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71483|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Web
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71483|P348|P400=Q6368|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q71483|P348|P400=Q6368|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Viber]]
| rowspan="5" | Rakuten Viber
| rowspan="5" | {{Start date and age|2010|12|02}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q332707|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q332707|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}} [[freemium]]
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="5" data-sort-value="260000000" | 260 million (2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=More than a chatting platform: What makes Viber a powerful business messaging tool? |url=https://pushwize.com/2021/01/26/more-than-a-chatting-platform-what-makes-viber-a-powerful-business-messaging-tool/ |website=Pushwize |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=26 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q332707|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q332707|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q332707|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q332707|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q332707|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q332707|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q332707|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q332707|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! [[WeChat]]
| [[Tencent|Tencent Holdings Limited]]
| {{Start date and age|2011|01|21}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| {{Proprietary}}
| data-sort-value="1263000000" | 1.263 billion (2022)<ref name="stats2022"/>
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[WhatsApp]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Meta Platforms]]
| rowspan="4" | {{Start date and age|2009|01}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1049511|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q1049511|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="4" {{Proprietary}} [[freeware]]
| rowspan="4" {{Proprietary}}
| rowspan="4" data-sort-value="2000000000" | 2 billion (2020),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.whatsapp.com/two-billion-users-connecting-the-world-privately|title=WhatsApp|website=WhatsApp.com}}</ref> confirmed in 2024<ref>{{Cite news |title=Reuters |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/whatsapp-explores-ads-chat-app-ft-2023-09-15/}}</ref>
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1049511|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q1049511|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P348|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1049511|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q1049511|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P348|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1049511|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q1049511|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P348|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="6" | [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| rowspan="6" | [[Wire Swiss]] GmbH
| rowspan="6" | {{Start date and age|2014|12|03}}
| Android
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| rowspan="6" {{open source|[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
| rowspan="6" {{open source|[[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL-3.0-or-later]]}}
| rowspan="6" | 
|-
| iOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Linux
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q388|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| macOS
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q14116|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Windows
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
| Web
| {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q6368|P548=Q2804309}}
| {{wikidata|qualifier|raw|preferred|single|Q26934461|P348|P400=Q6368|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | Client
! rowspan="2" | Developer
! rowspan="2" | Initial release
! rowspan="2" | Platform
! colspan="2" | Latest release
! rowspan="2" | [[Software license|License]] (client)
! rowspan="2" | [[Software license|License]] (server)
! rowspan="2" | [[Active users|Monthly active users]]
|-
! Version <!-- stable version -->
! Date <!-- ISO 8601 -->
|}

== Operating system support ==
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
|+ Operating system support for messaging clients
|-
! Client
! [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
! [[macOS]]
! [[Linux]]
! [[Web application|Web]]
! [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
! [[iOS]]
! [[iPadOS]]
|-
| [[Beeper_(application)|Beeper]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Discord]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|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}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| {{no}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}
| {{no}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}
| {{needs |Needs third-party client}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Use Google Messages on Linux |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-use-google-messages-on-linux/ |website=MUO |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221220635/https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-use-google-messages-on-linux/ |archive-date=21 February 2022 |date=20 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{included}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[ICQ]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{okay |As [[browser extension]]}}<ref>{{cite web |title=LINE |url=https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/line/ophjlpahpchlmihnnnihgmmeilfjmjjc |website=Chrome Web Store |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| {{no}}
| {{included}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{included}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{needs |Needs third-party client}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Install Facebook Messenger 'Caprine' in Ubuntu 18.04 |url=https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2019/03/install-facebook-messenger-caprine-ubuntu-18-04/ |website=UbuntuHandbook |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419131319/https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2019/03/install-facebook-messenger-caprine-ubuntu-18-04/ |archive-date=19 April 2021 |date=7 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|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 (software)|Pidgin]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Session (software)|Session]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Skype]]
| {{included}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| {{no}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}
| {{no}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}
| {{no}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Threema]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Viber]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[WeChat]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{needs |Needs third-party client}}{{efn |name=nativefier}}<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Install WeChat Desktop Client in Ubuntu Linux |url=https://itsfoss.com/install-wechat-desktop-client-in-ubuntu/ |website=It's FOSS |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414022538/https://itsfoss.com/install-wechat-desktop-client-in-ubuntu/ |archive-date=14 April 2021 |date=22 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[WhatsApp]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{needs |Needs third-party client}}{{efn |name=nativefier |In addition to other official and third-party solutions, a native desktop application can be generated for the instant messaging app website using Nativefier.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nativefier |url=https://github.com/nativefier/nativefier |website=GitHub |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Install and Use WhatsApp Desktop Client in Linux |url=https://itsfoss.com/whatsapp-linux-desktop/ |website=It's FOSS |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305191440/https://itsfoss.com/whatsapp-linux-desktop/ |archive-date=5 March 2021 |date=15 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WhatSie - WhatsApp for Linux |url=https://snapcraft.io/whatsie |website=Snapcraft |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp |url=https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/WhatsApp |website=ArchWiki |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
!Client
! [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
! [[macOS]]
! [[Linux]]
! [[Web application|Web]]
! [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
! [[iOS]]
! [[iPadOS]]
|}

==Connectivity==
{{sticky header}}
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
! Client
! Registration requirement
! Independent of mobile phone
! [[End-to-end encryption]]
! {{verth|va=middle|[[Peer-to-peer]]<br/>text chat}}
! [[Open-source software|Open source]] servers
! [[Federation (information technology)|Federated]] servers
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| {{yes|No}}
| 
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{NA|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
| {{NA|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
|-
| [[Discord]]
| {{partial|Email or Phone number}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://element.io/features/end-to-end-encryption | title=End-to-end encryption (E2EE) &#124; Collaboration and messaging }}</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| {{yes|No}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| {{no|Email and Phone number}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|With plugin only}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Gitter]]
| {{dunno}}
| {{dunno}}
| {{dunno}}
| {{dunno}}
| {{dunno}}
| {{dunno}}
|-
| [[Google Chat]]
| {{no|Email; Google account}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| {{no|Phone number}}
| {{no|Similar to [[SMS]] requirements, [[Rich Communication Services|RCS]] messaging requires a valid SIM card to be inserted in the device.<br/>RCS chat features may continue to work for up to 14 days, when a SIM card is removed from the device.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7189714?hl=en|title=Turn on chat features in Messages - Messages Help}}</ref>
| {{partial|Yes, only for RCS chats}}
| 
| {{n/a|N/A}}<br/>{{clarify|date=October 2022}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[ICQ]]
| {{no|Phone number}}
| {{partial|Phone required for initial registration.<br/>Desktop client can function independently afterwards.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@Dimitryophoto/icq-is-back-and-there-are-11-things-you-should-know-about-it-b993dddfc234|title=ICQ Is Back, and There Are 11 Things You Should Know About It by Dimitry O. Photo|date=22 August 2017 }}</ref>
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| {{Yes|No}}
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{NA|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
| {{NA|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| {{partial|Email}}
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| {{no|Phone number}}
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| {{no|Email; Apple ID account}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{n/a|N/A}}<br/>{{clarify|date=October 2022}}
| {{n/a|N/A}}<br/>{{clarify|date=October 2022}}
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| {{no|Email or Phone number; Facebook account}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Movim]]
| {{yes|No}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| {{yes|no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| {{yes|No}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| {{partial|Email}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|With extension only}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{n/a|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
| {{n/a|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{n/a|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
| {{n/a|N/A}}([[peer-to-peer|P2P]])
|-
| [[Session (software)|Session]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{no|Phone number; iOS or Android device}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Chat/Instant-Messaging/Signal-Desktop.shtml|title=Signal Desktop|last=Ciobica|first=Vladimir|date=26 May 2021|website=Softpedia|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vpnpro.com/messaging-apps/signal-review/|title=Signal messaging app review 2021|last=Youngren|first=Jan|date=19 January 2021|website=VPNpro|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> VoIP number<ref name="Signal_VoIP">{{cite web |last1=Collective |first1=Tech Learning |title=This little-known trick lets you use Signal without giving out your phone number |url=https://techlearningcollective.com/2019/10/29/this-little-known-trick-lets-you-use-signal-without-giving-out-your-phone-number.html |website=Tech Learning Collective |date=29 October 2019}}</ref>
| {{partial|VoIP workaround<ref name="Signal_VoIP" />}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}<ref name="Signal GitHub">{{cite web|title=Signal · GitHub|website=[[GitHub]] |url=https://github.com/signalapp|access-date=29 July 2014|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Skype]]
| {{no|Email; Microsoft account}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| {{partial|Email}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| {{no|Email or Phone number}}
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| {{yes|No}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}

|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| {{no|Phone number; iOS or Android device}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-a-telegram-account|title=How to make a Telegram account and start using the popular group chatting app|last=Witman|first=Emma|date=22 January 2021|website=Business Insider|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>
| {{partial|Phone required for initial registration & login.<br/>Desktop client can function independently afterwards.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.org/faq?setln=en#login-and-sms|title=Login and SMS - Telegram FAQ}}</ref>
| {{partial|For some features: secret chats}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Q: How are secret chats different? - Telegram FAQ |url=https://telegram.org/faq#q-how-are-secret-chats-different |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Telegram}}</ref>  voice and video calls,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Q: What is Telegram? What do I do here? - Telegram FAQ |url=https://telegram.org/faq#q-what-is-telegram-what-do-i-do-here |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Telegram}}</ref> and voice chats in groups<ref name=":0" />
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| 
| {{no}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chinahow.guide/qq-registration-sign-up/|title=How to sign up for a QQ account in 2021? (For PUBG, Game for Peace or Honor of Kings)|date=29 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chinaclife.com/how-to-register-qq-international-account-2019-for-pubg-and-quick-login/|title=Latest Guide: How to Register a QQ International Account For PUBG, Avena of Valors and Quick Login to other Chinese Apps|date=28 April 2019 }}</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Threema]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{no|A valid phone number or email address is not required for registration & login.<br/>However, the mobile app serves as the primary device, due to the end-to-end encryption architecture.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://threema.ch/en/messenger-comparison|title=Comparison of Popular Messenger Services – Threema}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| {{yes|No}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Viber]]
| {{no|Phone number}}
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[WeChat]]
| {{no|Phone number or QQ number}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[WhatsApp]]
| {{no|Phone number}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| {{no|Email or Phone number}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Wire Product Features|url=https://wire.com/en/product/features/|access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}<ref name="wire-servers">{{cite web|title=Wire server code now 100% open source – the journey continues|url=https://medium.com/@wireapp/wire-server-code-now-100-open-source-the-journey-continues-88e24164309c|website=Medium|publisher=Wire Swiss GmbH|access-date=23 September 2017|date=19 September 2017}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
|-
! Client
! Registration requirement
! Independent of mobile phone
! [[End-to-end encryption]]
! {{verth|va=middle|[[Peer-to-peer]]<br/>text chat}}
! [[Open-source software|Open source]] servers
! [[Federation (information technology)|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.

{{sticky header}}
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
! Client
! Share username
! Hide number
! Account expiration
! Reset password
! Password lockout
! Search for contacts
! Voice changer
! [[plug-in (computing)|Plugins]]
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| by public key or in-person pairing
| 
| 
|-
| [[Discord]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username & Discord Tag|Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled}}
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Matrix ID}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Matrix ID}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Gitter]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Chat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Email address|}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Phone number|}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[ICQ]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes|No (not stored on servers)}}
| {{yes|No (not stored on servers)}}
| {{yes|No (not stored on servers)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Jami |url=https://jami.net/the-jami-quirks/ |website=Jami |language=en |date=9 August 2019}}</ref>
| by random identifier or email-like address
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| by shared 4-random-words URL
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Phone number|Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled (sending friend requests are required)}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Email address|Phone number}}
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Facebook profile|Username URL|Phone number|Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Movim]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|username|}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Default}}. Number is only visible if it is saved to a friend's contact
| 
| {{no}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059792-Signal-PIN |title=Signal PIN }}</ref>
| 30 seconds after 5 fails
| {{blist|Phone number <br> (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)|}}
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Skype]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Email address|Phone number}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Name (requires joining a Slack workspace)|Email address invitation (requires Slack Connect)}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| 
| 
| 6 months
| 
| 5 seconds after 3 fails
| {{blist|Username|Phone number <br> (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)}}
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Threema]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Viber]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Phone number <br> (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)|}}
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[WeChat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Username|Phone number|Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled <br> (sending friend requests are required)}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[WhatsApp]]
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{blist|Phone number <br> (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)|}}
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
|-
! Client
! Share username
! Hide number
! Account expiration
! Reset password
! Password lockout
! Search for contacts
! Voice changer
! [[plug-in (computing)|Plugins]]
|}
* 1: Apple iOS doesn't allow screenshot protection.

===Screenshot security===

{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
! Client
! Hide number in chats
! Lock screen timeout
! Lock screen when closed
! Lock screen button
! Screenshot detection
! Screenshot/recording disabled (Android only)<ref name="iOS cannot disable screenshot">{{cite web |url=https://support.wickr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007884288-Why-don-t-you-disable-screen-capture- |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001212911/https://support.wickr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007884288-Why-don-t-you-disable-screen-capture- |archive-date=2017-10-01 |title=Why don't you disable screen capture? – Wickr Inc.}}</ref>
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| 
| {{Yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Discord]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gitter]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Chat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[ICQ]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| {{yes|No (not stored on servers)}}
| {{No}}
| 
| 
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=7bb77aa65771c36f709e14d593dc8e0d88e16ddd - jami-client-android - Gitiles |url=https://review.jami.net/plugins/gitiles/jami-client-android/+/7bb77aa65771c36f709e14d593dc8e0d88e16ddd |website=review.jami.net}}</ref>
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| 
| {{Yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Movim]]
| 
| ?
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{Yes}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360043469312-Screen-Security |title=Screen Security }}</ref>
|-
| [[Skype]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| 
| {{partial|Yes (on Secret Chats)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Telegram FAQ |url=https://telegram.org/faq?setln=be#q-can-i-be-certain-that-my-conversation-partner-doesn-39t-take-a |website=Telegram}}</ref>
| {{partial|Yes (on Secret Chats)}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Says |first1=جلوگیری از اسکرین شات در تلگرام چگونه است؟-تکست روزانه |title=How To Prevent People From Screenshotting Your Telegram Chat |url=https://gadgets-africa.com/2022/02/24/how-to-prevent-screenshotting-on-telegram/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224071703/https://gadgets-africa.com/2022/02/24/how-to-prevent-screenshotting-on-telegram/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |website=Gadgets Africa |date=24 February 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Threema]]
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Viber]]
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[WeChat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[WhatsApp]]
| {{no}}
| {{Yes|Fingerprint sensor}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| 
| {{No}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Client
! Hide number in chats
! Lock screen timeout
! Lock screen when closed
! Lock screen button
! Screenshot detection
! Screenshot/recording disabled (Android only)<ref name="iOS cannot disable screenshot"/>
|}

==Message handling==
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header-multi"
! rowspan="2" | Client
! colspan="3" | Threads
! colspan="4" | Sent messages
! colspan="2" | Read messages
! colspan="2" | Self-destructing messages
|-
! Threads
! Collapse<ref>[https://dispatch.m.io/message-threads/ The Importance of Message Threads in Team Messaging Apps]</ref>
! Ignore
! Editing
! Deleting
! Delete for contacts
! Delete notification
! Receipts
! Hide receipts
! Exists
! Deletion trigger
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://briarproject.org/manual/ Briar User Manual]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Discord]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403205878423-Threads-FAQ Discord Threads FAQ]</ref>
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403205878423-Threads-FAQ#h_01F99ZC4TMXQ1BEFZRGJWG8MMQ Discord I Want To Leave A Thread]</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://element.io/blog/introducing-threads-in-beta/ Introducing Threads in Beta!]</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{partial}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Gitter]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Chat]]
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://support.google.com/chat/answer/12176589 Learn how to manage a space with in-line threading]</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Originally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023}}<ref>{{cite web|title=New Google Chat features: smart compose, message editing and more|date=30 June 2023 |url=https://blog.google/products/workspace/google-chat-features-update-june-2023/}}</ref>
| {{partial|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 (software)|Jami]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{partial|Desktop only}}
| {{no}}
| Not applicable
| {{yes}}<ref name="Jami FAQ">{{cite web |title=FAQ — Jami documentation |url=https://docs.jami.net/user/faq.html#does-jami-support-read-receipts-can-i-turn-them-on-or-off |website=docs.jami.net}}</ref>
| {{partial|Android only}}<ref name="Jami FAQ" />
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{partial}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| {{yes}}
| {{okay|Optional 7+}}<ref>[https://docs.mattermost.com/channels/organize-conversations.html Organize conversations using Collapsed Reply Threads]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://www.engadget.com/2019-03-20-facebook-messenger-threads.html Facebook Messenger gets threaded replies]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[Movim]]
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://medevel.com/movim/ Movim: a decentralized open-source XMPP-based messaging and social platform]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://retroshare.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/interface/ Retroshare » Docs » User Guide » Interface]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Within 24 hours}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320491-Delete-messages-alerts-or-chats|title=Delete messages, alerts, or chats &ndash; Signal Support}}</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Read<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320771-Set-and-manage-disappearing-messages|title=Set and manage disappearing messages &ndash; Signal Support}}</ref>
|-
| [[Skype]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://slack.com/help/articles/115000769927-Use-threads-to-organize-discussions- Use threads to organize discussions]</ref>
| {{yes}}<ref>[https://karenapp.io/books/slack/sharing-files-and-conversations/unfollow-thread-slack/ How to Unfollow Thread in Slack?]</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| {{no}}<ref>[https://bugs.telegram.org/?sort=rate&query=Threads Bugs and Suggestions » Threads]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| Read
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Threema]]
| {{no}}<ref>[https://threema.ch/en/work/messenger-comparison Comparison of Communication Tools for Companies]</ref>
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|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 (software)|Wire]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Safe and tidy with Timed Messages|url=https://medium.com/wire-news/safe-and-tidy-with-timed-messages%EF%B8%8F-4f26ff17b11b|publisher=Wire Swiss|access-date=25 October 2016|date=25 October 2016}}</ref>
| 
|-
! rowspan="2" | Client
! colspan="3" | Threads
! colspan="4" | Sent messages
! colspan="2" | Read messages
! colspan="2" | Self-destructing messages
|-
! Threads
! Collapse
! Ignore
! Editing
! Deleting
! Delete for contacts
! Delete notification
! Receipts
! Hide receipts
! Exists
! Deletion trigger
|}

==Media==
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
! rowspan="2 | Client
! rowspan="2" | File transfer
! rowspan="2" | Voice messages
! rowspan="2" | Voice chat
! rowspan="2" | Video chat
! colspan="2" | [[End-to-end encryption|E2EE]]
! rowspan="2" | Encrypted local storage
|-
! Individual
! Groups
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Discord]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dev.gajim.org/gajim/gajim/-/wikis/help/gajimfaq|title = Gajimfaq · Wiki · gajim / Gajim| date=16 April 2023 }}</ref>
| {{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 (software)|Jami]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial}}
| {{yes}}<ref name="Shin-2016-08-11">{{cite web|author1=Shin, Ki Bin|title=The next step for even safer messaging: Letter Sealing|url=https://engineering.linecorp.com/en/blog/the-next-step-for-even-safer-messaging-letter-sealing/|publisher=Line Corporation|access-date=28 February 2022|date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002044533/http://developers.linecorp.com/blog/?p=3938|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes2}}Plug-in
| {{yes2}}Plug-in
| {{yes2}}Plug-in
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Movim]]
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes2}}For private group
| 
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{partial}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial}}
| {{partial}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Signal and Encryption at rest|url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/signal-and-encryption-at-rest/1953|publisher=SignalCommunity|access-date=27 December 2021|date=12 February 2018}}</ref>
|-
| [[Skype]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| {{yes}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{n/a|No groupchat}}
| 
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Secret Chats}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Telegram App Store Secret-Chat Messages in Plain-Text Database|url=https://blog.zimperium.com/telegram-hack/|access-date=27 December 2021|date=23 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Threema]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|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 (software)|Wire]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
! rowspan="2 | Client
! rowspan="2" | File transfer
! rowspan="2" | Voice messages
! rowspan="2" | Voice chat
! rowspan="2" | Video chat
! colspan="2" | [[End-to-end encryption|E2EE]]
! rowspan="2" | Encrypted local storage
|-
! Individual
! Groups
|}

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

{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
|-
! Client
! [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
! [[macOS]]
! [[Linux]]
! [[Web application|Web]]
! [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
! [[iOS]]
|-
| [[Beeper_(application)|Beeper]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Discord]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gitter]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Chat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[ICQ]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Movim]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Session (software)|Session]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{no}}<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages">{{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages |title=Backup and Restore Messages }}</ref>
| {{no}}<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />
| {{no}}<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />
| {{no}}<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />
| {{yes}}<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />
| {{yes}}<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />
|-
| [[Skype]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Threema]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Viber]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[WeChat]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[WhatsApp]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Client
! [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
! [[macOS]]
! [[Linux]]
! [[Web application|Web]]
! [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
! [[iOS]]
|}

==Miscellaneous==
Messaging services can operate around different models, based on security and accessibility considerations.<ref name="messenger-model-design-decisions">{{cite web|url=https://wireapp.medium.com/product-design-decisions-for-secure-messengers-e8a5e7d1a373|title=Product design decisions for secure messengers - by Wire - Medium|date=31 May 2017 }}</ref>

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 (software)|Line]], [[WeChat]], [[Signal (messaging app)|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 (software)|Telegram]], [[ICQ]], [[Element (software)|Element]], [[Slack (software)|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.

{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under sticky-header"
|+
! Client
! Typing notifications
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;"|Multi-device support
! Emoji reactions
! [[Sticker (messaging)|Stickers]]
! [[GIF]] search
! Custom [[emoji]]
! [[Theme (computing)|Themes]] / [[Skin (computing)|skins]]
|-
|-
| [[Briar (software)|Briar]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Discord]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/discord/status/1079674168935878657?lang=en|title=Discord on Twitter: "Yup, you can be logged into as many devices at the same time..." / Twitter}}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirrorreview.com/top-5-messenger-apps-support-feature/|title=Top 5 Messenger Apps Supporting Multi-Device Support Feature - Mirror Review|date=10 August 2020 }}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Yes (custom stickers require paid)}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Paid}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Boost Your Account and Support Us with Discord Nitro |url=https://discord.com/blog/boost-your-account-and-support-us-with-discord-nitro |website=Discord |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>
| {{partial|Paid}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Now in Nitro: Bring Your Vibe to Discord with New Themes |url=https://discord.com/blog/bring-your-vibe-to-discord-with-new-themes-in-nitro |website=Discord |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Element (software)|Element]]
| 
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://linuxkamarada.com/en/2021/05/20/the-element-messenger-and-the-matrix-standard/|title=The Element messenger (and the Matrix standard) - Linux Kamarada|date=20 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" />
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Fractal (software)|Fractal]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Gadu-Gadu]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Gajim]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Gitter]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Google Chat]]
| 
| {{yes|Yes (an optional setting allows messages to be accessible on [[Gmail]] as well)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/a/answer/6187630?hl=en|title=Use classic Hangouts on all your devices - Google Workspace Admin Help}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chat/answer/9341104?hl=en|title=Use Google Chat in Gmail - Computer - Google Chat Help}}</ref>
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Google Messages]] (RCS)
| 
| {{partial|On secondary web browsers only (phone required to sync messages)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Check your messages on your computer or Android tablet - Messages Help |url=https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7611075?hl=en |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=Google Support}}</ref>
| {{partial|Only a limited set of reactions available}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{partial}}
|-
| [[ICQ]]
| 
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestygame.com/en/a-whole-new-icq-awaits-you-on-ios/|title=» A whole new ICQ awaits you on iOS|date=13 January 2021 }}</ref>
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Jami (software)|Jami]]
| {{yes}}<ref name="Jami FAQ" />
| {{yes}}
| {{partial}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.jami.net/en_US/user/all-features-by-client.html|title=Features of Jami Clients|date=11 January 2024}}</ref>
| {{no}}
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Jitsi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
|-
| [[KakaoTalk]]
| 
| {{partial|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kakao.com/talk/en/faq|title=Help - Kaokao|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208053502/http://www.kakao.com:80/talk/en/faq|archive-date=2017-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cs.kakao.com/helps?articleId=1073183153&service=8&category=5&device=2&locale=en|title=General - Kaokao}}</ref>
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Kik Messenger]]
| 
| {{no}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kikhelpcenter.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402351602971-Kik-FAQs|title=Kik FAQs – Kik}}</ref>
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Line (software)|Line]]
| 
| {{partial|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://help.line.me/line/android/pc?lang=en&contentId=20000132|title=Help center - LINE}}</ref>
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Linphone]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Mattermost]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Messages (Apple)]]
| 
| {{yes|Yes (Apple devices)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/guide/messages/access-messages-apple-devices-icht5b5d1e63/mac|title=Access your messages on all your Apple devices - Apple Support}}</ref>
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]]
| 
| {{yes|Yes (messages are also accessible on the main [[Facebook]] website)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mashtips.com/facebook-secret-conversations/|title=A Guide on How to Use Facebook Secret Conversations|date=24 October 2019 }}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Movim]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Palringo]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Paltalk]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Psi (instant messaging client)|Psi]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[RetroShare]]
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]]
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 5 linked devices)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320451|title=Troubleshooting multiple devices – Signal Support}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Only on Android and iOS}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Skype]]
| 
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12368/can-i-sync-my-skype-instant-messages-across-devices|title=Can I sync my Skype instant messages across devices? - Skype Support}}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" />
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Slack (software)|Slack]]
| 
| {{yes}}<ref name="messenger-model-design-decisions" /><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" />
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Snapchat]]
| 
| {{no}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/snapchatsupport/status/971212591312834560?lang=en|title=Snapchat Support on Twitter: "The Snapchat app does not currently allow multiple users to log into one shared account. Similarly, the Snapchat app cannot run on multiple devices at once, so each time you log in to a device, it will log you out of the other device." / Twitter}}</ref>
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Surespot]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[TeamNote]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@sumgr0/telegram-feature-rich-messaging-f3fd9a7611b0|title=Telegram — Feature rich messaging - by Sumit Grover - Medium|date=29 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.org/faq?setln=en#q-which-devices-can-i-use|title=Q: Which devices can I use? - Telegram FAQ}}</ref>
| {{partial|Full set of reactions only available on Telegram Premium}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Tencent QQ]]
| 
| {{partial|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chowdera.com/2021/12/20211204063740605I.html|title=Opening QQ login protection is still stolen -- a comprehensive analysis of QQ security mechanism|access-date=2022-08-06|archive-date=2022-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806111148/https://chowdera.com/2021/12/20211204063740605I.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Threema]]
| 
| {{depends|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages).<br/>Phone must maintain an active network connection at all times to use the desktop client.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://threema.ch/en/support|title=Support – Threema - Desktop/Web}}</ref>
| 
| {{yes}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Trillian (software)|Trillian]]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[Viber]]
| 
| {{partial|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://help.viber.com/en/article/set-up-viber-on-your-tablet-or-ipad|title=Set Up Viber on Your Tablet or iPad - Viber Support Knowledge Base|access-date=2022-07-27|archive-date=2022-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809195332/https://help.viber.com/en/article/set-up-viber-on-your-tablet-or-ipad|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{partial|Only a limited set of reactions available}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| [[WeChat]]
| 
| {{partial|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://help.wechat.com/cgi-bin/micromsg-bin/oshelpcenter?opcode=2&lang=en&plat=android&pid=1003374&id=120813euejvf1505046zj6jz&Channel=helpcenter|title=I'm prompted of already logging in to another device. - WeChat Help Centre}}</ref>
| 
| 
| 
| {{no}}
| 
|-
| [[WhatsApp]]
| 
| {{depends|On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 4 linked devices)<br/>Phone must not be offline for ≥ 14 days; message history limited to 3 months.<br/>Unsupported on [[iPad]], [[iPod Touch]].</p>}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/download-and-installation/about-linked-devices/?lang=en|title=About linked devices - WhatsApp Help Center}}</ref>
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| [[Wire (software)|Wire]]
| 
| {{yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.wire.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003858445-Can-I-use-Wire-on-multiple-devices-for-example-on-the-phone-and-laptop-|title=Can I use Wire on multiple devices, for example on the phone and laptop? – Wire – Support|date=5 June 2023 }}</ref>
| 
| {{no}}
| 
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! Client
! Typing notifications
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;"|Multi-device support
! Emoji reactions
! [[Sticker (messaging)|Stickers]]
! [[GIF]] search
! Custom [[emoji]]
! [[Theme (computing)|Themes]] / [[Skin (computing)|skins]]
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Technology}}
*[[Comparison of instant messaging protocols]]
*[[Comparison of Internet Relay Chat clients]]
*[[Comparison of VoIP software]]
** [[List of SIP software]]
*[[Comparison of LAN messengers]]
*[[List of video telecommunication services and product brands]]
* [[Comparison of user features of messaging platforms]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Instant messaging}}

[[Category:Network software comparisons|Instant Messaging clients]]
[[Category:Instant messaging clients| ]]
[[Category:Social software|Instant messaging clients]]
[[Category:Online services comparisons|Instant messaging clients]]