Download Instant Messaging - Best Software & Apps

WhatsApp Messenger 2.16.351

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Platform

Android

Windows

Windows Phone

iPhone

Mac

Send free text messages from your Android phone

818 votes
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- 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
imo free video calls and chat (imo instant messenger) 9.8.000000003991

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Platform

Android

Windows

iPhone

Another messaging app you don't need

140 votes
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- PROS: Voice and video calls, Share photos, Group chat
- CONS: Offers nothing new
Messenger (Facebook Messenger) Varies with device

License

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Platform

Android

Windows

Windows Phone

iPhone

BlackBerry

Text, voice calls, and video calls now included

595 votes
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- PROS: Supports chats, voice calls, video calls, Support third party apps, Easy to use
- CONS: Compatible apps require new download
Messenger for Desktop 1.4.3

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Platform

Windows

Mac

An unofficial Facebook desktop client

1368 votes
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- Messenger for Desktop for Windows
- Messenger for Desktop for Mac
- PROS: Chat without opening Facebook, Facebook options are automatically imported, Same options as the official Facebook Messenger apps
- CONS: Unofficial app that isn't associated with or supported by Facebook, Interface is unimaginative
Skype 7.23.0.105

License

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Platform

Windows

Android

Mac

iPhone

Windows Phone

Skype, the telephone of the 21st century

19653 votes
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- 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
Viber Windows 5.9.1

License

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Platform

Windows

Android

iPhone

Windows Phone

Mac

Free phone calls via VoIP, chat and messages to your friends!

2950 votes
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- PROS: Free calls via VoIP to friends, Great call quality, Supports video calls, Notificatios in system tray, Contacts and messages sync between devices
- CONS: Few advanced features, App required for PC client to work
Instagram Varies with device

License

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Platform

Android

Windows

iPhone

Windows Phone

Web Apps

Popular photo-based social network

483 votes
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- PROS: Easy to use, Share to various social networks, Impressive photo editor, Tag friends in images, Geotagging support, Capture and share video
- CONS: Requires sign-up
Facebook for Windows 10 1.3.0.9

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Platform

Windows

The official Facebook app for Windows 10

761 votes

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- PROS: Excellent user experience , Responsive controls, Ideal for Facebook use on tablets , Displays most important status updates
- CONS: No new functions, Account and privacy options could be improved
Telegram for Desktop 1.0.14

License

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Platform

Windows

Mac

Speedy and secure alternative to WhatsApp

606 votes
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- Telegram for Desktop for Windows
- Telegram for Desktop for Mac
- PROS: Useful notification customization options, Strong focus on security and speed, Seamless synchronization across devices
- CONS: Must have a Telegram account on a mobile app
My-Mobile 3.1.10

License

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Platform

BlackBerry

My-Mobile Service. The Web Interface for your mobile phone.

1 vote

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WeChat 1.1.0.41

License

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Platform

Windows

Android

BlackBerry

Mac

iPhone

The popular chat app from China gets an English version

57 votes
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- PROS: Simple and easy to use, Excellent file transfer and screenshot tools
- CONS: No video or audio support
LINE 5.9.0

License

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Platform

Windows

Android

BlackBerry

iPhone

Mac

Send messages and make free calls from your PC

5500 votes
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- 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
Telegram 4.2.2

License

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Platform

Android

iPhone

Mac

Web Apps

Fast and secure messaging app

142 votes
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- 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

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Platform

Android

Windows

iPhone

Google's complete messaging app

18 votes
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- PROS: Excellent sync across devices, Feature rich, Easy to use
- CONS: No Google Drive integration, Collects data on how you use the app
WhatsApp Messenger 2.12.965

License

Download

Platform

BlackBerry

Java

Send free text messages on your BlackBerry

771 votes
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- WhatsApp Messenger for BlackBerry
- WhatsApp Messenger for Java
- PROS: Free text messages to other WhatsApp users, Send photos, videos, location, contacts and more, Email chat history
- CONS: Tied to the WhatsApp protocol, Tedious setup process
Hike Messenger

License

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Platform

Android

Windows Phone

iPhone

Send free SMS messages with this WhatsApp-style app

318 votes
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- PROS: Fast and easy to use, Lets you share multimedia, location, etc., Group chat, Plenty of emoticons, Supports Hidden chats
- CONS: Not innovative, Some bugs
Skype for Windows 10 2.7

License

Download

Platform

Windows

Video chat, texting and instant messaging in one

1160 votes

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- PROS: Supports video chats, texting and instant messaging, High quality video chats, Automatically imports contacts from Microsoft accounts, Lots of emoticons, Free group video calls and screen sharing
- CONS: Interface looks a bit sparse, Contacts may need editing after importing,
Way2SMS 2.5

License

Download

Platform

Android

Java

Send free SMS messages in India

180 votes
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- Way2SMS for Android
- Way2SMS for Java
- PROS: Sends SMS for free, Easy to use
- CONS: Messages are not always sent/received
Yahoo! Messenger 11.5.0.228

License

Download

Platform

Windows

Android

Mac

BlackBerry

Java

The new instant messenger from Yahoo!

2027 votes
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- PROS: Amazing video quality!, Highly customizable, Great privacy settings
- CONS: Animated backgrounds are ad-ridden, Long installation process, Too much bloat
Badoo 4.56.2

License

Download

Platform

Android

Windows

BlackBerry

Windows Phone

iPhone

Get social with Badoo

11 votes
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- PROS: Free to use, Easy messaging system, Lots of users to potentially interact with
- CONS: Some users report fake accounts are common, Hard to delete an account