Alternatives to Pidgin
A chat client that signs in to several networks at once, supporting XMPP, IRC, Matrix and more through plugins. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Pidgin
A chat client that signs in to several networks at once, supporting XMPP, IRC, Matrix and more through plugins.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Pidgin.
Ferdium
Combines your messaging and web services into one window with workspaces, as a community fork of Franz with the restrictions removed.
Ferdium groups hundreds of web-based chat services into workspaces rather than using native protocols, so memory use is higher and integrations can break.
Dino
Modern desktop XMPP client with OMEMO encryption and calls.
Dino is a modern XMPP-only desktop client with OMEMO encryption and calls, focused on Linux, and it does not cover IRC or other networks.
Rambox
Desktop workspace that combines messaging and email web apps in one window.
Rambox combines messaging and email web apps in one window with unified notifications, but the current product is closed source and freemium.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Element is a Matrix client that reaches IRC, Slack and Discord through bridges, with end-to-end encryption and apps for desktop, web and mobile.
Beeper
A unified chat app that brings WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Discord and other networks into one inbox.
Beeper combines WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Discord and other modern networks into one inbox on desktop and mobile, but it is closed source with paid extras.
Gajim
A desktop chat client for the XMPP network with end-to-end encryption, group chats and file sharing.
Gajim is a dedicated XMPP desktop client with OMEMO and OpenPGP encryption, reactions and voice messages, but it drops IRC and other networks.
WeeChat
An extensible terminal chat client with a full IRC plugin and scripting in eight languages.
WeeChat moves chat to an extensible terminal client focused on IRC, with scripting in eight languages and remote interfaces.
Profanity
A console-based XMPP chat client written in C with OMEMO, OTR and PGP encryption.
Profanity is a terminal XMPP client with OMEMO, OTR and PGP encryption, but it covers only XMPP and has no graphical interface.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Pidgin as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Cinny
Chat on Matrix through a focused desktop client.
Pidgin reaches Matrix through plugins alongside XMPP and IRC in one window, with an older interface and plugins that can break.
Conversations
Android XMPP client with OMEMO end-to-end encryption.
Pidgin connects to XMPP on the desktop along with IRC and other networks, with OTR via plugin rather than built-in OMEMO.
Converse
An open-source XMPP chat client that runs in the web browser, as a full app or embedded widget.
Pidgin is a GPL desktop client with built-in XMPP plus IRC and other networks, using an OTR plugin for encryption and an older interface.
Halloy
An open-source IRC client for macOS, Windows and Linux, written in Rust and focused on speed.
Pidgin is a GPL-2.0 multi-network client with IRC and XMPP built in and plugins, though its interface is dated and releases are infrequent.
Irssi
A terminal-based IRC client with split windows, extensive settings and scripting support.
Pidgin is a graphical GPL client that connects to IRC alongside XMPP and other networks from one window, though releases are infrequent and there is no official macOS build.
Konversation
A graphical IRC client from KDE with DCC file transfers, per-channel encodings and an embedded terminal.
Pidgin is a GPL chat client that handles IRC together with XMPP and other networks from one window, though its interface is dated and releases are infrequent.
mIRC
A long-running Windows client for chatting on Internet Relay Chat networks, sold as shareware.
Pidgin is a free GPL client for Windows that connects to IRC alongside XMPP and other networks from one window, though its interface is dated.
Monal
An open-source XMPP chat client for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Pidgin is a GPL-2.0 multi-network desktop client with XMPP built in, but it has no official macOS build and a dated interface.
Movim
A self-hostable web client for XMPP that combines chat, group rooms, news feeds and video calls.
Pidgin is a GPL-2.0 desktop client with XMPP, IRC and other networks built in, though its interface is dated and releases are infrequent.
Nheko
Use Matrix messaging in a native desktop interface.
Pidgin can reach Matrix through plugins while also signing in to XMPP, IRC and other networks, but its interface is dated and releases are infrequent.
Psi
A Qt-based desktop XMPP client for experienced users, with plugins for OMEMO, OTR and OpenPGP encryption.
Pidgin is a desktop client that handles XMPP together with IRC and other networks in one window, with OTR encryption available through plugins.
Textual
A native macOS IRC client with IRCv3 support, OTR encryption and customizable styles.
Pidgin is a free GPL client covering IRC, XMPP and more with OTR through plugins, though the project has no official macOS build.
The Lounge
A self-hosted web IRC client that stays connected to servers while you are offline.
Pidgin is a desktop client that handles IRC alongside XMPP and other networks, but does not stay connected while offline and has a dated interface.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Caprine
Unofficial desktop app for Facebook Messenger.
