Download Chat Interface - Best Software & Apps

WhatsApp Messenger2.19.69

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

Send free text, audio and video messages from your Android phone

38752 votes

PROS: Group chat with personalization options, End-to-end encryption, File sharing with up to 100 MB size, Support for syncing and Android Wear
CONS: Requires to be downloaded on other devices to enable communication, Data charges can be still applied, Communications in WhatsApp are shared, Lacks extra contents other than communication

Messenger205.0.0.18.110

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

Get in touch with your friends: text, voice calls, and video calls all included

15165 votes

PROS: Personalize your chat box, Light and dark theme, Create group chats, Send document files
CONS: Cluttered with features, Calls may consume large amount of data, Cannot check Facebook notifications through the app, Requires log-in

Skype8.42.0.60

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

Skype, the telephone of the 21st century

29239 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

Telegram5.4.0

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

Fast and secure messaging app

828 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

WhatsApp Web1.0

License: free
Platform: Web Apps

WhatsApp wings its way to the web for free

5166 votes

Download

PROS: Familiar WhatsApp look and feel makes it easy to use, End-to-end message encryption, Well-designed user interface displays all the information you need, Seamless link up between mobile and web versions, Completely free
CONS: Lacking a lot of features

imo for Windows 101

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Stay in touch easily with imo for Windows 10

1000 votes

Download

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

Hangouts30.0.235815591

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone

Google's complete messaging app

341 votes

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

Discord0.301

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

Chat with friends, family and fellow gamers, for free

362 votes

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

LINE5.15.0.1908

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

Send messages and make free calls from your PC

5086 votes

PROS: Free calls and messages, Group chats, Many stickers, Minimalist interface...
CONS: ...that's not very appealing, You need to have the LINE app on your mobile

QQ MessengerInternational 1.6

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Complete IM client with cute design and great features

806 votes

Download

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!

Yahoo! Messenger2.0.4

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

Another messaging service? Yahoo?

198 votes

PROS: Nice looking and easily navigated, Plenty of features, Yahoo! and MSN comunity memebers will find all they need, Geotagging yourself in a messenger app could have its uses
CONS: No one I know really uses Yahoo! or MSN, You have to explicit login to use

ICQ10.0.12341

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

Chat, play and share files with your friends

1166 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

Google Talk1.0.0.105

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; iPhone

A Google Talk client to call your Gmail contacts for free

7630 votes

PROS: Minimalist, PC to PC calls, Compatible with Jabber/XMPP
CONS: Too basic, Little room for customization

MSN Messengerfor Windows XP 7.5.0322

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

New version of the popular messaging application

10308 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

Viber5.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Viber, on your phone and at home

886 votes

Download

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

Windows Live Messenger16.4.3522

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

See. Hear. Share. Instantly.

23337 votes

Download

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; Web Apps; iPhone

The best desktop Twitter app

785 votes

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

Discord - Chat for Gamers8.5.5

License: free Download
Platform: Android; iPhone

Chat with friends, family and fellow gamers, for free

5 votes

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

SeaMonkey2.29.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

Singular Internet Suite

152 votes

PROS: An Internet Application Suite, Email, IRC chat and news feed client, Web feed reader, HTML editor and web development tools
CONS: Does not import username and password, Too packed and complex online web suite, Dated interface and utility, Slow web browser startup

FaceTime

License: free Download
Platform: iPhone; Mac

Video chat done the Apple way

55 votes

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic
#	Name	Version	Votes	Rating	Platform
1	WhatsApp Messenger	2.19.69	38752	8.3	Android,Windows,iPhone,Mac
2	Messenger	205.0.0.18.110	15165	8.3	Android,Windows,iPhone,Mac
3	MSN Messenger	for Windows XP 7.5.0322	10308	8	Windows,Mac
4	Windows Live Messenger	16.4.3522	23337	7.6	Windows
5	Skype	8.42.0.60	29239	7.2	Windows,Android,Mac,iPhone

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic

Version

Votes

Rating

WhatsApp Messenger

2.19.69

38752

8.3

Android,Windows,iPhone,Mac

Messenger

205.0.0.18.110

15165