Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients

Template:Short description Template:See also {{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Ambox }} The landscape for instant messaging involves cross-platform instant messaging clients that can handle one or multiple protocols.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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.

General

Client	Developer	Initial release	Platform	Latest release		License (client)	License (server)	Monthly active users
				Version	Date
BlackBerryMessenger Enterprise	Blackberry	Template:Start date and age<ref name="briar-download" />	iOS, Android			Template:Proprietary freeware	Template:Proprietary
Beeper	Template:Plainlist	Template:Start date and age	Template:Plainlist			Template:Open source	Template:Open source
Briar		Template:Start date and age<ref name="briar-download">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source	Template:NATemplate:Br(peer-to-peer over Bluetooth, WiFi, or Tor network)
Conversations	Daniel Gulsche	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source	Template:Open source
Discord	Discord Inc.	Template:Start date and age<ref name="pcg">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary freeware	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary	150 million (2021)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Element	New Vector Limited	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="6" Template:Open source	rowspan="6" Template:Open source	43 million (2021)<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Web	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Fractal		Template:Start date and age	Linux desktops and mobile OSs			Template:Open source	Template:Open source
Gadu-Gadu	Łukasz Foltyn, GG Network S.A.	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary freeware	Template:Proprietary
Gajim	Yann Le Boulanger	Template:Start date and age	BSD	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="4" Template:Open source	rowspan="4" Template:Open source
			Linux
			macOS
			Windows
Gitter	New Vector Ltd	Template:Start date and age<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux			Template:Open source	Template:Open source (Synapse)
Google Chat (formerly Google Hangouts)	Google	Template:Start date and age (as Google Hangouts) Template:Start date and age (as Google Chat)	Android			rowspan="3" Template:Proprietary freeware	rowspan="3" Template:Proprietary	1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
			iOS
			Web
Google Messages (RCS)		Template:Start date and age	Android			rowspan="3" Template:Proprietary freeware	rowspan="3" Template:Proprietary	1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020)
			Web
			Wear OS
ICQ	Mail.Ru	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary adware freemium	Template:Proprietary	Defunct
Jami	Savoir-faire Linux		Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Open source	rowspan="5" Template:NATemplate:Br(peer-to-peer)
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Jitsi	Emil Ivov	Template:Start date and age	Desktop	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source	Template:Open source	20 million (2020)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KakaoTalk	Kakao Corp.	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary freeware	Template:Proprietary	47 million (2021)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Kik Messenger	Medialab	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="2" Template:Proprietary adware freemium	rowspan="2" Template:Proprietary	15 million (2017)<ref name="kik">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Line	LY Corporation	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary freemium	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary	169 million (2020)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Chrome	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Linphone	Belledonne Communications	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Open source 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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			BSD
Mattermost	Mattermost Inc	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Open source	rowspan="5" Template:Open source
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Messenger	Meta Platforms	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="4" Template:Proprietary freeware	rowspan="4" Template:Proprietary	988 million (2022)<ref name="stats2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Movim	Timothée Jaussoin	Template:Start date and age	Any, Progressive web application	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source	Template:Open source
Mumble<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:Start date and age	Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	1.4.287	2022-09-14	Template:Open source	Template:Open source
Palringo	Palringo Ltd	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="2" Template:Proprietary freemium	rowspan="2" Template:Proprietary
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Paltalk	AVM Software, Inc	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary freeware	Template:Proprietary	5.5 million (2013)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Pidgin	Mark Spencer	Template:Start date and age	BSD	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="4" Template:Open source	Umpteen, both open protocols and interfaces with proprietary messengers
			Linux
			macOS
			Windows
Psi	Psi and Psi+ developers	Template:Start date and age	Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="3" Template:Open source	rowspan="3" Template:Open source
			macOS
			Windows
QQ	Tencent Holdings	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary adware	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary	597 million (2023)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS, iPadOS, watchOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
RetroShare	Cyril Soler, Gioacchino Mazzurco	Template:Start date and age		Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source	Template:NATemplate:Br(peer-to-peer)
Ricochet	Invisible.im	Template:Start date and age	FreeBSD	Template:WikidataTemplate:Update inline (fork took over development, now at 3.0.15)	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="4" Template:Open source	rowspan="4" Template:NATemplate:Br(peer-to-peer over the Tor network)
			Linux
			macOS
			Windows
Signal	Signal Foundation	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source	rowspan="3" Template:Open source	40 million (2021)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source
			Desktop	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	Template:Open source
Skype	Skype Technologies, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary adware freemium	Template:Proprietary	Defunct
Slack	Slack Technologies	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary freemium	Template:Proprietary	12 million (2019)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Snapchat	Snap Inc.	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="2" Template:Proprietary freeware	rowspan="2" Template:Proprietary	557 million (2022)<ref name="stats2022"/>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Surespot	Surespot LLC	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="2" Template:Open source		Defunct
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
TeamNote	TeamNote Limited	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary	Template:Proprietary
Telegram	Telegram Messenger LLP	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Open source	rowspan="4" Template:Proprietary	700 million (2022)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>900 million (2024)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS, iPadOS	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Open source
			Desktop	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Open source
			macOS	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Telegram cached versions	Template:Open source
Threema	Threema GmbH	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="2" Template:Open source	rowspan="3" Template:Proprietary	10 million (2021)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Web			Template:Open source
Trillian	Cerulean Studios	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="6" Template:Proprietary adware freemium	rowspan="6" Template:Proprietary
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Web	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Viber	Rakuten Viber	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary freemium	rowspan="5" Template:Proprietary	260 million (2019)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
WeChat	Tencent Holdings Limited	Template:Start date and age				Template:Proprietary freeware	Template:Proprietary	1.263 billion (2022)<ref name="stats2022"/>
WhatsApp	Meta Platforms	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="4" Template:Proprietary freeware	rowspan="4" Template:Proprietary	2 billion (2020),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> confirmed in 2024<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Wire	Wire Swiss GmbH	Template:Start date and age	Android	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata	rowspan="6" Template:Open source	rowspan="6" Template:Open source
			iOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Linux	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			macOS	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Windows	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
			Web	Template:Wikidata	Template:Wikidata
Client	Developer	Initial release	Platform	Latest release		License (client)	License (server)	Monthly active users
				Version	Date

Operating system support

Operating system support for messaging clients

Client	Windows	macOS	Linux	Web	Android	iOS
Beeper	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Briar	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No
Discord	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Element	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Fractal	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Gadu-Gadu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Gajim	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Gitter	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Google Chat	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Google Messages (RCS)	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:NeedsTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Included	Template:No
ICQ	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Jami	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Jitsi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
KakaoTalk	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Kik Messenger	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Line	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Okay<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Linphone	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Mattermost	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Messages (Apple)	Template:No	Template:Included	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Included
Messenger	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NeedsTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Mumble	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes		Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Movim	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Palringo	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Paltalk	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Pidgin	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Psi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
RetroShare	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No
Ricochet	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Session	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Signal	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Skype	Template:Included	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Slack	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Snapchat	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Surespot	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
TeamNote	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Telegram	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Tencent QQ	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Threema	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Trillian	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Viber	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
WeChat	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NeedsTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
WhatsApp	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NeedsTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Depends
Wire	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Client	Windows	macOS	Linux	Web	Android	iOS

Connectivity

Client	Registration requirement	Independent of mobile phone	End-to-end encryption	Template:Verth	Open source servers	Federated servers
Briar	Template:Yes		Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NA(P2P)	Template:NA(P2P)
Discord	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Element	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Fractal	Template:Yes			Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Gadu-Gadu	Template:No			Template:No	Template:No
Gajim	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:No	Template:Yes
Gitter	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Google Chat	Template:No	Template:Yes
Google Messages (RCS)	Template:No	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial		Template:N/a Template:Clarify	Template:Yes
ICQ	Template:No	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:No
Jami	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NA(P2P)	Template:NA(P2P)
Jitsi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
KakaoTalk		Template:No		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Kik Messenger	Template:Partial	Template:No		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Line	Template:No	Template:No		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Linphone	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Mattermost				Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No
Messages (Apple)	Template:No	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:N/a Template:Clarify	Template:N/a Template:Clarify
Messenger	Template:No	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Movim	Template:Yes			Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Mumble	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Palringo	Template:Yes			Template:No	Template:No
Paltalk	Template:Partial			Template:No	Template:No
Pidgin	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Psi				Template:No
RetroShare				Template:Yes	Template:N/a(P2P)	Template:N/a(P2P)
Ricochet			Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:N/a(P2P)	Template:N/a(P2P)
Session	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Signal	Template:No.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> VoIP number<ref name="Signal_VoIP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes<ref name="Signal GitHub">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No
Skype	Template:No	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Slack	Template:Partial	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Snapchat	Template:No	Template:No		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Surespot	Template:Yes			Template:No	Template:No
TeamNote
Telegram	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> voice and video calls,<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> and voice chats in groups<ref name=":0" />	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Tencent QQ		Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Threema	Template:Yes	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Trillian	Template:Yes	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes
Viber	Template:No	Template:No		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
WeChat	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
WhatsApp	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Wire	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:Yes<ref name="wire-servers">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes
Client	Registration requirement	Independent of mobile phone	End-to-end encryption	Template:Verth	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.

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						Template:Blist		Template:No
Element						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
Fractal						Template:Blist
Gadu-Gadu								Template:No
Gajim								Template:Yes
Gitter
Google Chat						Template:Blist
Google Messages (RCS)						Template:Blist
ICQ								Template:Yes
Jami	Template:Yes		Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	by random identifier or email-like address	Template:No	Template:Yes
Jitsi						by shared 4-random-words URL		Template:Yes
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger						Template:Blist
Line						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
Linphone
Mattermost								Template:Yes
Messages (Apple)						Template:Blist		Template:No
Messenger						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
Movim								Template:No
Mumble						Template:Blist
Palringo								Template:No
Paltalk								Template:No
Pidgin								Template:Yes
Psi								Template:Yes
RetroShare
Ricochet
Signal	Template:Yes	Template:Yes. Number is only visible if it is saved to a friend's contact		Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	30 seconds after 5 fails	Template:Blist		Template:No
Skype						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
Slack						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
Snapchat						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
Surespot							Template:No	Template:No
TeamNote
Telegram			6 months		5 seconds after 3 fails	Template:Blist		Template:No
Tencent QQ								Template:No
Threema								Template:No
Trillian								Template:Yes
Viber						Template:Blist		Template:Yes
WeChat						Template:Blist
WhatsApp	Template:No					Template:Blist		Template:No
Wire								Template: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

Client	Hide number in chats	Lock screen timeout	Lock screen when closed	Lock screen button	Screenshot detection	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Briar		Template:Yes				Template:Yes
Discord		Template:No
Element		Template:No
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim
Gitter
Google Chat
Google Messages (RCS)
ICQ
Jami	Template:Yes	Template:No			Template:No	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Jitsi		Template:No
KakaoTalk
Kik Messenger
Line		Template:Yes
Linphone
Mattermost		Template:No
Messages (Apple)		Template:No
Messenger		Template:No
Movim		?
Mumble
Palringo
Paltalk
Pidgin
Psi
RetroShare
Ricochet
Signal		Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Skype
Slack
Snapchat		Template:Yes
Surespot
TeamNote
Telegram	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Tencent QQ
Threema		Template:Yes
Trillian
Viber		Template:Yes
WeChat
WhatsApp	Template:No	Template:Yes
Wire		Template: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

Client	Threads			Sent messages				Read messages		Self-destructing messages
	Threads	Collapse<ref>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	Template:Yes<ref>Briar User Manual</ref>	Template:No	Template:No					Template:Yes		Template:No
Discord	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>Discord Threads FAQ</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>Discord I Want To Leave A Thread</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:No		Template:No
Element	Template:Yes<ref>Introducing Threads in Beta!</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Partial	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:No
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu
Gajim				Template:Yes				Template:Yes		Template:No
Gitter
Google Chat	Template:Yes<ref>Learn how to manage a space with in-line threading</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial			Template:Yes		Template:No
Google Messages (RCS)	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:No
ICQ	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No		Template:Yes
Jami	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Partial	Template:No	Not applicable	Template:Yes<ref name="Jami FAQ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name="Jami FAQ" />	Template:Yes
Jitsi	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No							Template:No
KakaoTalk	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Kik Messenger	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Line	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Partial			Template:Yes		Template:No
Linphone	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Mattermost	Template:Yes	Template:Okay<ref>Organize conversations using Collapsed Reply Threads</ref>	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:No		Template:No
Messages (Apple)	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No							Template:No
Messenger	Template:Yes<ref>Facebook Messenger gets threaded replies</ref>	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:Yes
Movim	Template:Yes<ref>Movim: a decentralized open-source XMPP-based messaging and social platform</ref>	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes					Template:No
Mumble	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Palringo	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Paltalk	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Pidgin	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes
Psi	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes
RetroShare	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>Retroshare » Docs » User Guide » Interface</ref>	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No			Template:Yes		Template:No
Ricochet	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Signal	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Skype	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Slack	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>Use threads to organize discussions</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>How to Unfollow Thread in Slack?</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:Yes
Snapchat	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:Yes
Surespot	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No							Template:No
TeamNote	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:No
Telegram	Template:No<ref>Bugs and Suggestions » Threads</ref>	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Read
Tencent QQ	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Threema	Template:No<ref>Comparison of Communication Tools for Companies</ref>	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:No
Trillian	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No					Template:Yes
Viber	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:Yes
WeChat	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
WhatsApp	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Partial			Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Wire	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes			Template:Yes		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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

Client	File transfer	Voice messages	Voice chat	Video chat	E2EE		Encrypted local storage
					Individual	Groups
Briar	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Discord	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Element
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:No
Gajim	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Gitter
Google Chat	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Google Messages (RCS)	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
ICQ	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Jami	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Jitsi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
KakaoTalk	Template:Yes				Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Kik Messenger	Template:Yes				Template:No	Template:No
Line	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:Yes<ref name="Shin-2016-08-11">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Linphone
Mattermost	Template:Yes	Template:Yes2Plug-in	Template:Yes2Plug-in	Template:Yes2Plug-in	Template:No	Template:No
Messages (Apple)	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Messenger	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Movim	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes2For private group
Mumble	Template:Yes		Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Palringo	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Paltalk	Template:Yes		Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Pidgin	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Psi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
RetroShare	Template:Yes				Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Ricochet					Template:Yes
Signal	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Skype	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Slack	Template:Yes				Template:No	Template:No
Snapchat	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Surespot	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:N/a
TeamNote		Template:Yes		Template:No
Telegram	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:No	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Tencent QQ	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Threema	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Trillian	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Viber	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
WeChat	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
WhatsApp	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Wire	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template: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.

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	Template:No<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />	Template:No<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />	Template:No<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />	Template:Yes<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />	Template:Yes<ref name="360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages" />
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.<ref name="messenger-model-design-decisions">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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, 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.

Client	Typing notifications	Multi-device support	Emoji reactions	Stickers	GIF search	Custom emoji	Themes / skins
Briar				Template:No		Template:Yes	Template:No
Discord	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Element		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" />	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Fractal
Gadu-Gadu						Template:No
Gajim						Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Gitter
Google Chat		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:Yes	Template:Yes		Template:No
Google Messages (RCS)		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes		Template:Partial
ICQ		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:Yes		Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Jami	Template:Yes<ref name="Jami FAQ" />	Template:Yes	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No
Jitsi						Template:Yes
KakaoTalk		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>				Template:No
Kik Messenger		Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>				Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Line		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
Linphone
Mattermost				Template:No		Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Messages (Apple)		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>				Template:No	Template:No
Messenger		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
Movim				Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:No
Mumble
Palringo						Template:No	Template:Yes
Paltalk						Template:No	Template:Yes
Pidgin				Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Psi						Template:Yes	Template:Yes
RetroShare				Template:Yes		Template:No
Ricochet						Template:No
Signal	Template:Yes	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Partial	Template:No	Template:Yes
Skype		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" />		Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Slack		Template:Yes<ref name="messenger-model-design-decisions" /><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" />				Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Snapchat		Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Surespot						Template:No	Template:Yes
TeamNote						Template:No
Telegram	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Tencent QQ		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>				Template:No	Template:Yes
Threema		Template:Depends<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:Yes		Template:No	Template:Yes
Trillian						Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Viber		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Partial	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
WeChat		Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>				Template:No
WhatsApp		Template:Depends<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Wire		Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		Template:No		Template:No	Template:No
Client	Typing notifications	Multi-device support	Emoji reactions	Stickers	GIF search	Custom emoji	Themes / skins

See also

• 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