XfireTM is a free tool that automatically keeps track of when and where gamers are playing PC games online and lets their friends join them easily. It works regardless of game type, server browser, or gaming service that a player is using.

Xfire eliminates the hassles of running multiple programs like IRC, instant messengers, or in-game friends lists to keep track of when and where a gamer's friends are playing. It supports the best and the latest online PC games including server and non server-based first person shooters, real-time strategy, and role playing games.

Download Xfire 1.94 in Softonic

Pidgin (previously called Gaim) is a multi-protocol instant messaging client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. It is compatible with AIM (Oscar and TOC protocols), ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, and Zephyr networks. Pidgin users can log in to multiple accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on AOL Instant Messenger, talking to a friend on Yahoo Messenger, and sitting in an IRC channel all at the same time. Pidgin supports many features of the various networks, such as file transfer (coming soon), away messages, typing notification, and MSN window closing notification.

It also goes beyond that and provides many unique features. A few popular features are Buddy Pounces, which give the ability to notify you, send a message, play a sound, or run a program when a specific buddy goes away, signs online, or returns from idle. Plugins, consist of text replacement, a buddy ticker, extended message notification, iconify on away, and more.

Download Pidgin 2.4.3 in Softonic

This nifty app lets you automatically log everything you do in MSN Messenger 6.x/7.x. This includes instant messages, winks, emotion icons, hand writing, text font and colors, the online status of your contact, and all the activities like sent and received files, audio/video invitations in MSN Messenger.

Major features:

• Record MSN chat automatically and completely including
• Monitor MSN chat secretly. It is completely undetectable!
• Easy-to-use interface makes recording and monitoring simple
• Suitable for parent control and other monitoring purpose
• Suitable for your company to record custom supports, provided via MSN Messengers
• Accessing and setting are all password protected
• Save, search and edit log easily and efficiently
• Exporting the rich text messages to a RTF file easily
• Import logs from previous version of MessengerLog series
• Date time stamp

Download MessengerLog 6.72 in Softonic

Miranda IM is a multi protocol instant messenger client. It is designed to be resource efficient and easy to use. It uses very little memory and requires no installation. Just unzip and run! This also makes it ideal for users that want to run their messenger client from a removable storage such as a USB memory stick.

The powerful plugin system makes Miranda IM extremely flexible. Only the most basic features are built in, but there are currently more than 350 plugins available for download that allow users to extend the functionality in Miranda IM. Plugins can be installed to add support for ICQ, AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, Gadu-Gadu, Tlen, Netsend and other protocols.

Download Miranda IM 0.8.0 Test 17 in Softonic

IPNs (Instant Private Networks) are a useful way to create your own private environments where only you and other invited users are allowed to send and receive files.

This app is great for those that need remote access to their PC, work in a secure environment, or just want to know that they're exchanging files without outside intruders interfering. Remobo creates an Instant Private Network (IPN) between users. It works very much like a chat client meaning it's easy to add and remove users and suitable for even the most novice programmers and users.

By creating an IPN, you can control your home computer and access files while at work or traveling or alternatively, privately share large files like photos & documents between computers. In addition, it allows you to play games online or between friends more securely or just simple chat more securely with friends or colleagues. Probably the best thing about Remobo is that it requires virtually no configuration - it's more a case of telling it what you want to do with it and it configures itself automatically according to your system settings and connection details.

This is an excellent IPN tool although it should not be used as a substitute for a VPN because although it's secure, it can't guarantee user privacy.

Download Remobo 0.12.1 in Softonic

Mercury Messenger, also known as MM or dMSN, is a free alternative to MSN Messenger offering almost all the same features.

The IM client allows you to connect to your live or hotmail account and chat with your contacts. You can organize them by groups, use emoticons, send files and activate your webcam during chats. The interface itself is highly similar to that of MSN Messenger albeit a much less attractive one. I found that the different elements are placed a little clumsily here and there, making Mercury Messenger slightly unintuitive. Luckily the interface is interchangeable so if you find a good skin you can use that instead.

A big difference with MSN Messenger is RSS support. Mercury allows you to add and preview RSS feeds. I was a little skeptic of the idea at first, as I much prefer previewing RSS feeds on a whole screen, however I found it very similar to feed reading on a mobile device, which works in some way. Mercury Messenger has a tabbed interface which allows you to open and work with multiple accounts. Beware that having too many open simply ends up confusing though.

Although missing the most recent features of MSN Messengers and despite a weaker interface, Mercury Messenger is a good alternative with RSS and multiple account support.

Download Mercury Messenger 1.9 in Softonic

Some years ago ICQ was one of the most popular IM applications among Internet users. But when Microsoft launched MSN Messenger, many of these users forgot about their original IM client and joined a network that was growing very quickly. In the meantime, ICQ continued to be upgraded until finally reaching version 6, which sets a new milestone in the history of this classic piece of software.

To begin with, the installation process is fast and easy, the only downside being the fact that you must set ICQ Search as your web browser's default search engine, as there's no way of getting around this option.

This new ICQ boasts a fresh-looking interface which has been completely redesigned. Also, you can customize it with skins, although you'll have to download them because there's not a single skin included in the program. It does include, however, a very complete personal profile which you can fill in with all your information, including name, location, interests, spoken languages and a personal avatar that ICQ oddly refers to as "devil".

Generally speaking, ICQ 6 offers all the functions that we find in other IM applications, namely instant written messages, voice calls and video calls. All of these are complemented with a very nice set of animated smilies and the so called "Tzers" which are the equivalent to Messenger's "Winks". Chat sessions can be grouped together under the same window, which prevents your taskbar getting cluttered. ICQ allows you to start text conversations right from the contact list using the Quick message feature. There's also the option to send SMS messages to your contacts, but this is not available in all countries yet.

This new version promises to give you complete control over configuration settings. However, we must admit that we had some trouble in finding them, until we happened to click on the "Main" button on the interface. The configuration options are quite complete indeed, allowing you to change every single detail regarding sounds, notifications, privacy and security, message history, appearance and the program's general behaviour.

In all, ICQ seems to have developed a new version with a fresh redesign only to measure up to its main competitors but without really offering any new functions. Again, choosing ICQ (or any other IM app) ends up being just a question of which IM your friends use.

Download ICQ 6.0.0.6059 in Softonic

Miranda Portable brings all the functionality and features of the popular cross-network IM client Miranda right to your pocket.

This portable version can easily be installed in any USB memory device so that you always have a tool to chat with your online buddies, no matter which network they connect to or which computer you're using. Pocket-sized Miranda is light on resources, works fast and leaves no trace on the host system's Registry.

This IM client supports multiple networks, which means you'll be able to talk to people on ICQ, AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo! and even IRC. The program's interface and general design is honestly not the most brilliant I've seen, but the program is so handy and easy to use that it makes up for it.

Also, though Miranda Portable is quite a basic client, you can add loads of new features by means of plugins – just like the Firefox extensions, but for Miranda.

Save Miranda Portable in your USB memory stick and you'll be able to chat with your IM buddies anytime, anywhere.

Download Miranda IM Portable 0.7.7 in Softonic

Are you tired of heavy instant messengers, which are slow to load, full of colours, animations, and add-ons that put a considerable strain on the whole performance of your PC? If so, then consider an alternative, lightweight solution like Pidgin Portable which has the advantage, like its name says, of running from a USB pen drive. You will be able to use it wherever you are, without having to install anything on any computer while travelling or working.

Just plug in your USB pen drive and run the exe file to have all your contacts from different accounts, available for a chat. Pidgin Portable is able to connect to multiple networks: AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, XMPP, ICQ, IRC, SILC, SIP/SIMPLE, Novell GroupWise, Lotus Sametime, Bonjour, Zephyr, MySpaceIM, Gadu-Gadu, and QQ. You will never again need to use different messengers for every account you have, Pidgin manages them all at once. Although the interface is rather simple and the icons available are limited, the program is light and lets you choose a picture to represent you.

Try Pidgin portable if you are tired of heavy instant messengers and if you would like multi account application that can run from a USB pen drive, without any installation on the computer you’re using.

Download Pidgin Portable 2.4.2 in Softonic

Bring the mystery of Indiana Jones’ new adventure, the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to your MSN messenger. This theme is based on the new film release and only works on Windows Live Messenger 8.5 (it also requires Messenger Plus! Live 4.60).

Strangely enough, when I tried to install the Plus! Add-on - required to add themes on messenger - the application asked me if I wanted to install advertisements on the messenger. Although it is stated as not being compulsory, and let me choose if I wanted them or not, the add-on didn’t work until I had them installed.

Looking at the theme itself, the graphics and resolution are very good and the main frame, where you have all your contacts, is transformed into a kind of temple entrance with Maya or Aztec style ornaments and of course the frightening gold skull which hides secrets and mysterious Soviet plots. In terms of usability though there are some downsides. With this setting in fact it will be more difficult to understand which contacts are online, and which are not.

Whether you like the adventures of Indiana Jones or, why not, just like archaeology, try this theme for Messenger and feel like you’re part of the latest adventure.

Download Indiana Jones 4 Messenger Skin 1.0.0 in Softonic

MessenPass is a password recovery tool that reveals the passwords of the most popular instant messenger applications, such as MSN Messenger, Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Trillian, Gaim and many more.

The application can only be used to recover the passwords for the current logged-on user on your local computer, and it only works if you chose the remember your password in one of the above programs. You cannot use this utility for grabbing the passwords of other users.

Download MessenPass 1.20 in Softonic

Live Messenger, previously known as MSN Messenger, was renamed as part of Microsoft's move towards the Live online community. So far, the most popular IM app in the world had already gone through a bunch of updates, but this new name also meant important changes that would somehow start a new period in Messenger's history.

Live Messenger includes some outstanding characteristics that are well worth a mention. Firstly, its all-new interface features a completely different design from traditional Windows applications, which you can also customize by choosing your own color scheme. In order to maintain this neatness, the menu bar has been hidden under a single top right corner button but this makes it a bit uncomfortable to browse through options. Luckily, the most common actions (send email, call a contact, access MSN Spaces and view shared folders) have been implemented as nice little buttons right under your username, so they're easy to access. Another thing we liked is that you can hide side tabs in the main interface window (right click on any of them and check the "Hide tabs" checkbox). However, there's apparently no way to hide the bottom ad.

Live Messenger offers plenty of emoticons and winks to cheer up your conversations with. You can expand both collections by easily adding new sets which you'll find by the hundred on the Internet. Customization possibilities include changing the chat window background or even adding a personal message to your nickname, but not creating custom status messages. At least this new version features the longed-for offline messaging tool, enabling you to leave a message to any of your contacts even if they're not online.

The two most important features in this new Messenger are the ability of sharing folders and making free PC-to-phone calls. As for the first one, it proves as a very handy way to share pictures, while the second feature allows you to save some pennies on your phone bill. However, this service is currently only available in certain countries (United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Finland, Belgium, Spain and Italy) and requires a subscription to the Verizon Web Calling system.

In any case, you can always make use of the PC-to-PC call feature, which provides excellent sound quality. In fact, we must say this feature has been pretty well implemented in Live Messenger. Its ease of use makes it a great alternative to written conversations: just click on the phone icon and your friend will instantly receive an invitation to answer the phone call on the chat window itself. A simple wizard will guide you through audio configuration and a couple of sliders enable you control the volume of your speakers (or headphones) and mic. You can still use the chat window while you talk, for instance to send a web link or a handwritten message.

Summing up, the main issue with Live Messenger is that it has taken it too much time to offer tools that were already found in other IM apps, such as the VoIP calls mentioned above. However, its attractive design plus the huge number of people who are already MSN Messenger users (and who will eventually upgrade their client) will probably help this Live version reach the top.

Download Windows Live Messenger 9.0.1407.1107 Beta in Softonic

Let's face it: most of us have more online accounts than we can control. Email addresses, instant messaging clients, social networking sites… do you really have time to catch up with all of them?

If you don't, then you need Digsby, a revolutionary all-in-one IM client with which you can handle all your online contacts under the same interface, even if they belong to different networks. OK, this is probably not that revolutionary, but the real surprise comes when you realize you can also add your email accounts, no matter if they're online or POP3 based, and also your personal profiles in Facebook and MySpace. The result is that Digsby enables you to control pretty much every aspect of your online social life in a very easy way.

After installing the program, you can start adding as many accounts as you want in order to handle them from Digsby. This includes AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, Facebook, MySpace and more. Despite the amount of supported services, they're presented in a very clear, uncluttered interface and organized in tabs. You'll be able to chat with your buddies via IM and also check and organize your email without even having to open your browser. Everything worked fine except for Facebook, which kept on showing a "Connecting…" message though the widget was up and working on my Facebook profile. My ICQ account didn't seem to respond either, but I guess it's got something to do with the fact that Digsby is still in beta stage.

Digsby saves chat history, supports file transfer and features an extended settings menu from which you can tweak the program's appearance and performance. The only drawback I found, besides the Facebook connectivity issue, was the lack of speed when starting the program and logging in. But then again, it's well worth it.

With Digsby you'll be able to manage all your online accounts for email, IM and social networks under a single interface, making it much easier and faster for you to stay in touch with your friends.

Download Digsby Beta Build 13706 in Softonic

Real-time network communication utility for the office environment, including channels-based chat, shared whiteboard, message board and instant messaging.

It is intended to be used in small office or home office (SOHO) local networks, does not require a dedicated server and may be used instead of WinPopup. Easy to install and use, Network Assistant features file transfers, remote services (processes control, screenshots, activity tracking) and more...

Download Network Assistant 4.3 in Softonic

Have you ever wanted to share more than just words over your IM - in other words, give your fingers a rest and let your voice do the talking?

Yakkle goes beyond instant messaging allowing you to use your PC to transmit your voice to friends and share your desktop with them all from within a single application. In this way, it allows you to send them text messages but also speak with them at the same time with excellent sound quality. In addition though, you can share your desktop really easily such as through photos and documents. You can even let other people control your mouse and desktop from their PC which makes it an excellent tool for diagnosing technical problems, viruses or just lending a helping had to a non-tech savvy friend. One way this application could be used productively is for teaching. A teacher is able to see exactly what the learner is doing and if necessary, make corrections or issue instructions in real time. The same goes for contract negotiations or any other kind of long distance collaboration.

This is an excellent IM/desktop sharing tool although it can work a little slowly and the interface could do with a facelift.

Download Yakkle 0.5.5.1774 Beta in Softonic

Being one of the most widely used IM applications, MSN Messenger has always had a large base of users keen on developing plugins with which they could personalize their favorite chat client. Amateur programmers released plugins to discover who had erased you from their contact list, to start more than one MSN session, to log conversations... until MSN Plus! was launched.

MSN Plus! soon became the most popular MSN plug-in, collecting together all the extra options users could ask for into one program. Even now Plus! is still an excellent pack of tools which heavy Messenger users consider as essential and which certainly improves your IM experience. During all these years it has been able to adapt to every new Messenger version, including the name change and the new interface design. In fact, Plus! is now seamlessly integrated into Live Messenger: it launches with the program and the only way you can tell it's there it by two tiny buttons on the main interface.

When Plus was launched, its main feature was the ability to record "chat logs", that is, create text files with all your conversations. However, as this has been already included in the IM app itself, Plus! has had to widen its range of extra functions. These tools can be divided into two groups: those dedicated to chatting improvement and those devoted to contact management. As for the first group, you'll enjoy tabbed chat windows, support for custom text format (bold, italics, font, color) and the so-called quick messages, personal keyboard shortcuts you can assign to sentences or expressions used on a regular basis. The second group of tools allows you to create custom status messages, have your favourite contacts right on the Windows desktop (as an icon) and gather all kinds of stats about contacts, like the last time they logged on or whether they have recently changed their nickname, which I personally find kind of excessive, but hey, to each his own.

Besides all this, Live Messenger Plus still offers its popular chat log tool, which is said to be more powerful and flexible than the default function featured in Windows Messenger Live. Actually, it looks much better thanks to the use of HTML, the ability to record emoticons and winks and the possibility to customize its appearance with CSS formatting.

The list of improvements Plus brings to Windows Live Messenger doesn't end here. You can, for example, hide the application in the system tray under an almost invisible icon (in case you're chatting at work, something we completely disapprove of) or password protect access to the program, amongst others. The good thing though is that you can create your own extra functions, that is, if you know how to code scripts. Plus already features a nice bunch of them, allowing you to display the name of the song you're listening to, send screenshots, use sticky notes and other nice extras.

All in all, Live Messenger Plus is probably the only plug-in you'll ever need, especially if you like customizing every single detail of your Messenger.

Download Messenger Plus! Live 4.60.324 in Softonic

As its name suggests, Aim Ad Hack is designed to eliminate adverts from the AIM instant messaging client. Although the beta version offers no guarantees, it represents a good way to get rid of those annoying banners that pop up in the program.

Download Aim Ad Hack 5.54 in Softonic

Imo is a popular online instant messaging tool that enables you to sign on to the main IM networks and chat with your buddies right from your web browser.

But if even in the Web 2.0 era you still prefer good old desktop apps, you may use the desktop Imo as well. This special version is just an adaptation from the original online Imo to a standard Windows application.

To be honest, Imo is quite limited compared to other popular IM clients. It's got quite a plain interface, no support for emoticons and no customizing options for fonts, colors and other settings that we find in similar applications.

But I have to admit that it does its job just fine: you can connect to the most popular IM networks (MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk amd AIM) from one single interface and talk to any of your friends, whether they belong to one or another network.

If you need to talk to people on more than one IM network, Imo does the trick, but bear in mind that it offers no extended functionality such as emoticons, colors and other goodies.

Download Imo in Softonic

If you're tired of having to open your web browser and login to MySpace and Facebook every time you want to check your personal profiles, you'll find this tool to be extremely helpful and time-saving.

With SociaGami you can track any news concerning your personal account in the two most popular social networking sites, right from your Windows desktop. Simply enter your Facebook and MySpace details in the program's configuration window and you'll be able to see your contact list, access your photos, check messages… pretty much what you can do on their respective web pages.

The program doesn't add any extra functionality to the networks – in fact, it looks quite limited and doesn't even have any configuration options, but in any case it'll probably save you a lot of time.

SociaGami lets you check your personal profiles on MySpace and Facebook right on the Windows desktop, but doesn't include any extra features.

Download Sociagami 1.0 in Softonic

Our Universal Instant Messenger keeps you connected to all popular IM's, you can also Talk Online anywhere around the world for free, host a live Video Conference or Transfer Files of any size with complete security.

But the closer you look, the better it gets. Qnext allows you to create private, shared environments called Zones where invite other users to securely share your content and online services. A Zone can contain exciting services such as File Sharing, Group Text Chat, Photo Sharing and Live Online Games. You can also connect with other users around the world using Qnext's IRC service. Our Jukebox service gives you private access to streaming music without the hassle of downloading files. And this is just the beginning - Qnext will be offering many new services to enhance your online experience.

We have also included a powerful remote access service that gives you fast, easy and secure access to your computer from anywhere in the world using QnextMyPC.

• Stay connected to your online buddy lists on other IM clients
• High level security using 192-bit data encryption
• Fast, direct P2P connections between users
• Easy content and service sharing using Qnext Zones
• Permission-based sharing between friends
• Multi-language support
• Personalize Qnext with downloadable skins

Download Qnext 3.0.5 in Softonic