Download Chat Interface - Best Software & Apps

WhatsApp Messengervaries-with-device

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

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

35954 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; Mac

Text, voice calls, and video calls now included

13847 votes

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

Skype8.33.0.50

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

Skype, the telephone of the 21st century

29145 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

Telegramvaries-with-device

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

Fast and secure messaging app

716 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

5011 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

Hangouts2017.1019.418.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; iPhone

Google's platform for instant messaging and videoconferencing

1434 votes

PROS: Simple and minimalist interface, Video calls to multiple people, Apps available during video calls
CONS: No audio calls, Chrome must always be open

imo for Windows 101

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Stay in touch easily with imo for Windows 10

925 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

Discord

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

Chat with friends, family and fellow gamers, for free

317 votes

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

Yahoo! Messenger0.8.288

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

The new instant messenger from Yahoo!

3417 votes

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

LINE5.12.1.1857

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

Send messages and make free calls from your PC

5060 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

800 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!

ICQ10.0.12341

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

Chat, play and share files with your friends

1162 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

Viber5.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Viber, on your phone and at home

868 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

MSN Messengerfor Windows XP 7.5.0322

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

New version of the popular messaging application

10291 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

Google Talk1.0.0.105

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; iPhone; BlackBerry

A Google Talk client to call your Gmail contacts for free

7622 votes

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

TweetDeck3.7.3

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

The best desktop Twitter app

783 votes

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

Windows Live Messenger16.4.3522

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Symbian

See. Hear. Share. Instantly.

23329 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

FaceTime

License: free Download
Platform: iPhone; Mac

Video chat done the Apple way

50 votes

SeaMonkey2.29.1

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Mac

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

150 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

Discord - Chat for Gamers3.2.6

License: free Download
Platform: Android; iPhone

Chat with friends, family and fellow gamers, for free

1 vote

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

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic
#	Name	Version	Votes	Rating	Platform
1	Messenger	(Facebook Messenger) varies-with-device	13847	8.3	Android, Windows, iPhone, Windows Phone
2	WhatsApp Messenger	varies-with-device	35954	8.3	Android, Windows, iPhone, Windows Phone
3	MSN Messenger	for Windows XP 7.5.0322	10291	8	Windows, Mac, Pocket PC
4	Windows Live Messenger	16.4.3522	23329	7.6	Windows, Symbian
5	Skype	8.33.0.50	29145	7.2	Windows, Android, Mac, iPhone

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic

Version

Votes

Rating

Messenger

(Facebook Messenger) varies-with-device

13847

8.3

Android, Windows, iPhone, Windows Phone

WhatsApp Messenger

varies-with-device

35954