Why it's best: Digsby, while still a young application, is one of the most feature-rich, free IM clients available. It supports many instant messaging networks including AIM, Yahoo, MSN, and Google Talk. Digsby supports a number of social networks, a feature most other chat applications have yet to integrate. Currently, users can connect to Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and LinkedIn to access live newsfeeds and updates. Digsby also supports e-mail notifications for webmail, POP3, and IMAP accounts. The application’s interface is highly customizable with a number of skins available for the contact list and chat windows. Bugs are quickly and frequently patched via automatic updates performed when Digsby is launched. Digsby is currently available as a free download for Windows only, but versions for Mac and Linux systems are in development. Read Full Review
Why it's best: Like the open source web browser Mozilla Firefox, Pidgin has an extensive library of plug-ins that allow the user to customize the functionality of the application. The application lacks voice and video support, but its simple text interface and support for a large number of IM networks including AIM, Yahoo, and GTalk make it a powerful and easy to use instant messaging application. Read Full Review
Why it's best: Built on the same platform as Pidgin, Adium is a free, open source IM client for Mac OS X. It offers the same customizability as Pidgin through skins and plug-ins. Because it was developed specifically for the Mac operating system, Adium’s user experience and interface blends seamlessly with the look, feel and user experience of OS X. Minimalistic, simple menus make getting started with Adium a painless process. Adium is a great choice for a Mac user looking to have a unified IM experience. Read Full Review
Why it's best: Meebo is a free browser-based IM client. As long as you have a browser and an Internet connection, you can access Meebo anywhere regardless of your operating system. It supports multiple IM and chat networks as well as voice and video capabilities. Meebo also has an interface for iPhone. Read Full Review
Why it's best: Trillian blends a great user interface with support for many widely used IM networks including AIM, Yahoo, and ICQ. Simple icon based navigation makes setting up accounts and changing preferences quick and easy. Rather than merge accounts into one buddy list, Trillian keeps each account separate. This is a great option for managing a personal AIM account and a Yahoo Messenger account for work. An upgrade to Trillian Pro ($25) provides features including video chat support, connectivity to more IM networks (including GTalk), plug-in support, and enhanced customization and settings. Trillian is a well-built, user-friendly IM client, but the free version lacks some features that come standard in the other top applications. Read Full Review
- anyone
- 8/7/2010
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Why have you not included Fring and Nimbuzz for example? I have used Fring on my cell phone and found it excellent. Of course Skype don't want this technology to include them so they have fallen out with Fring to prevent them offering Skype.I understand that Nimbuzz are the only other IM client to include Skype although I read about some issue on the net.... Read More Anyway I'm about to try it and see for myself. Minimize
- Prnoid
- 2/3/2009
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Nice list...I'm usign digsby for months and I love it.
- Anonymous
- 1/29/2009
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pidgin all the way
- James
- 1/29/2009
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Digsby is one of the best IM clients I have seen since Pidgin (formerly Gaim). I like the fact that it has multi-protocol support (including facebook chat) and it even has support for your web-based e-mails (aol/aim, yahoo, hotmail, gmail) and any other email that has POP3 or IMAP capabilities.Another thing that's great about Digsby is if you're... Read More a social-networking fiend, you can configure Digsby to work with your Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles. You can even update your Facebook/Twitter status right from Digsby! Minimize