Download Chat Interface - Best Software & Apps

WhatsApp Messenger2.18.78

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; Windows Phone; iPhone; Mac

Send free text messages from your Android phone

819 votes

PROS: Lets you send photos, audio, video, location, and links, Group messaging, Works across different platforms, Support for Android Wear, Syncs with web version, Free calls, Save chats automatically to Google Drive
CONS: Only works if the other person has the app

Messenger(Facebook Messenger) Varies with device

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Windows Phone; BlackBerry

Text, voice calls, and video calls now included

595 votes

PROS: Supports chats, voice calls, video calls, Support third party apps, Easy to use
CONS: Compatible apps require new download

Skype7.23.0.105

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; Mac; iPhone; Windows Phone

Skype, the telephone of the 21st century

19654 votes

PROS: Group videoconferencing, Talk-chat-type, Excellent audiovisual quality, Calls to mobile, Integration with Facebook
CONS: Requires a good connection, High consumption of resources, Some features are extra

Telegram4.2.2

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Mac; Web Apps

Fast and secure messaging app

142 votes

PROS: Supports group chats, Share videos up to 1GB, Send batches of photos, "Snapchat" style Secret Chat, Higher level of privacy compared to WhatsApp
CONS: Voice messages supported but no voice calling, Small user base compared to WhatsApp

Hangouts

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone

Google's complete messaging app

18 votes

PROS: Excellent sync across devices, Feature rich, Easy to use
CONS: No Google Drive integration, Collects data on how you use the app

LINEVaries with device

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Mac; BlackBerry

Fun WhatsApp alternative that lets you make calls and chat for free

295 votes

PROS: Good call quality, Group chat with up-to 100 people, Wide selection of emoticons, Works across mobile and desktop platforms
CONS: No option to delete contacts

imo for Windows 101

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Stay in touch easily with imo for Windows 10

No votes yet

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PROS: Simple manageable interface, Unlimited free voice and video calls
CONS: Limited customisation and contact management options, User base smaller than major rivals

Yahoo! Messenger0.8.288

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; BlackBerry; Pocket PC; Mac

The new instant messenger from Yahoo!

2027 votes

PROS: Amazing video quality!, Highly customizable, Great privacy settings
CONS: Animated backgrounds are ad-ridden, Long installation process, Too much bloat

QQ MessengerInternational 1.6

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Complete IM client with cute design and great features

549 votes

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PROS: Clear, nicely designed interface, Lots of customization options, Support for text, voice and video chats, Usual IM features: smileys, nudges, file sharing..., Extra tools like remote control, screen capture and video recording
CONS: Sometimes adding contacts is difficult, You can't download new interface themes, Number ID for contacts: not very user-friendly!

Discord

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

Chat with friends, family and fellow gamers, for free

2 votes

PROS: Great interface, Easy bot scripting
CONS: No Ctrl+F, Slow log retrieval

Viber5.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Viber, on your phone and at home

580 votes

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PROS: Excellent call quality, Clean interface, Imports contacts automatically, The Dock function, Dynamic icons
CONS: Doesn't support video calls, No innovative features, Can't sign out

FaceTime

License: free Download
Platform: iPhone; Mac

Video chat done the Apple way

No votes yet

MSN Messengerfor Windows XP 7.5.0322

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac; Pocket PC

New version of the popular messaging application

884 votes

PROS: Very easy to use, Lots of fancy customization options, Decent video conferencing function
CONS: No VoIP features to speak of, Filled with not-so-subtle plugs to MSN services

ICQ8.2.7138

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac; Symbian; Windows Mobile

Chat, play and share files with your friends

104 votes

PROS: Easy, quick installation, Nice interface design, Loads of smileys, animations and other eye-candy, Text and video chats, Integration with social networks
CONS: Video chat is not embedded in the conversation window, Social networks must be configured on the program's website, No innovation over other IM apps

Windows Live MessengerBuild 14.0.8117.416 2009

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Symbian

See. Hear. Share. Instantly.

4866 votes

PROS: Nice customizable interface, Great photo sharing service, New options for contacts management, Tons of emoticons, winks and other eye-candy for chats
CONS: No custom status messages, Uncomfortable menu buttons, Installation file is getting bloated, Advertisement on the main interface

TweetDeck3.7.3

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; Mac; iPhone; Web Apps

The best desktop Twitter app

372 votes

PROS: Organizes information, Nice interface, Automatically updated
CONS: Home feed can quickly get too busy

Microsoft Lync 201315.0.4420.1017

License: try Download
Platform: Windows

One of the best web conferencing apps out there

116 votes

Download

PROS: Easy to use interface, Tons of features, Excellent video and collaboration tools, Well thought out ecosystem
CONS: Chat feature could be more fleshed out, Only available with certain versions of Office

SeaMonkey2.29.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

Web-browser, advanced email, IRC chat and more from Mozilla

117 votes

PROS: Based on the same foundations as Firefox, etc., Much improved mail features, Browsing is quicker and more similar to Firefox
CONS: No way to import passwords and user names from previous versions, Not many people will need the whole suite, Some feel it has strayed from it's Netscape roots

Nimbuzz Messenger3.7.0

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; Windows Phone; iPhone; BlackBerry

Chat for free on your Android phone

55 votes

PROS: Supports a wide range of networks, Organizes contacts very well, Offers lots of ways to communicate, Free text messaging
CONS: Poor access to Facebook contacts, No video chat, Temperamental Skype voice chat

KakaoTalk5.0.1

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Mac; Windows Phone; iPhone

Chat with friends worldwide for free

253 votes

PROS: Simple interface, Quick response when using SMS, Voice call quality is good,
CONS: Locked to a single device, Searching for contacts is hit-or-miss

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic
#	Name	Version	Votes	Rating	Platform
1	Skype	7.23.0.105	19654	6.9	Windows, Android, Mac, iPhone
2	Windows Live Messenger	Build 14.0.8117.416 2009	4866	6.6	Windows, Symbian
3	MSN Messenger	for Windows XP 7.5.0322	884	6.4	Windows, Mac, Pocket PC
4	WhatsApp Messenger	2.18.78	819	6.3	Android, Windows, Windows Phone, iPhone
5	Yahoo! Messenger	0.8.288	2027	4.7	Windows, Android, BlackBerry, Pocket PC

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic

Version

Votes

Rating

Skype

7.23.0.105

19654

6.9

Windows, Android, Mac, iPhone

Windows Live Messenger

Build 14.0.8117.416 2009

4866