This is where Nimbuzz comes in really handy as it's a multi-platform instant messaging client. This enables you to chat with your contacts and keep track of your friends' updates on more than a dozen different social networks and IM protocols, including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, MSN, ICQ, Google Talk and Jabber, among others.

Nimbuzz is already quite popular among mobile platforms, where it has been around for a while. This port to PC has gone a bit unnoticed, I guess partly because Nimbuzz doesn't feature as many tools and options as other similar programs. The tool in itself is quite simple, very light on resources and does what it says on the tin. There are no custom backgrounds, animation effects or any other bells and whistles.

Besides basic text chat, Nimbuzz includes other interesting options such as the ability to organize contacts by groups and the possibility to share files with them, even if they're not online, thanks a to a temporary storage system. Being primarily a mobile IM app, Nimbuzz also allows you to keep contacts synced with your mobile phone.

Despite being simpler than other similar tools, Nimbuzz is still a great app to keep in touch with friends across many different social networks and IM platforms.

Download Nimbuzz 2.5.1 in Softonic

Having friends from other countries is great, but sometimes the different languages make it difficult.

MeGlobe Desktop can lend you a hand in this matter. This multi-network IM client includes a translator with support for 15 languages that helps you understand what your friend is trying to say, even if you don't speak the same language and live miles apart.

The translator in MeGlobe Desktop doesn't work in real time, which means you have to copy the text from the translator window and paste it into the chat window. It's a bit messy, but it does the trick. Also, if the translation is not exactly what you expected, you can edit it and the program will learn from your corrections.

MeGlobe Desktop supports three networks (AIM, Yahoo! Messenger and Live Messenger), apart from its own network. You can join public chat rooms – so far, it looks like there's only one - and also have private conversations with selected users. On the downside, we missed having some configuration settings to play around with.

The program works fine, though it doesn't have as many users as other IM networks, and the sign up process is a bit buggy. I'd suggest you sign up from the MeGlobe website instead.

MeGlobe Desktop is a nice idea, but it still has plenty of room for development.

Download MeGlobe Desktop Beta 0.6.1294 in Softonic

Collanos Phone is three tools in one - a multi-protocol instant messaging client, VoIP app and a
video conference suite.

The program supports a multitude of IM clients and protocols including Jabber, MSN, ICQ, AOL, and Yahoo! The VoIP phone function is based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standard while the Instant Messenger is based on the popular Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) standard. As far as conference calls are concerned, it doesn't support more than three callers at a time which is a definite drawback for large meetings. It is very well organised though in the way it shows useful information about contacts in the profiles. The program is based on existing Collanos user profiles so if you use any other Collanos products, the profile is instantly imported and shared in Collanos Phone. The other thing that makes life easier is that you make calls from the Windows taskbar - simply right click on the Collanos Phone symbol and you are given options to call or start conference calls.

A very basic but professional VoIP and IM client that's suitable for businesses although general users won't find all the fun features you find in most similar communication suites such as MSN Live Messenger.

Download Collanos Phone 1.0 Beta in Softonic

Smooch allows you to keep in contact with your friends, adding your contacts from Yahoo, MSN and Smooch's proprietary network, but not others (Mirc, ICQ, Libero, Google Talk, etc.

), unlike its competitors.

Also, once opened, the program requires you to log in, without offering you the chance to register directly from the application and without providing a direct link to an online registration form.

. At present, the 'Feature' menu only contains a 'coming soon' message, while the 'Smooch' page is completely white! We can forgive them because it’s still a beta version.