Compare software

Pidgin vs Beeper: catalog facts
Pidgin	Beeper
Free Free and open source under the GPL. The project states it is free and contains no ads.	Freemium Free to use, with an optional Beeper Plus subscription.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Signs in to several chat networks at once from one window XMPP, IRC, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, GroupWise, Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE and Zephyr built in	One inbox for a dozen major chat networks On-device connections for most networks
The interface is unmistakably from another era Support for modern commercial networks depends on plugins that break when APIs change	Not affiliated with or endorsed by the chat platforms it connects to Some features require the paid Beeper Plus subscription
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-2.0	License not stated
Account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Needs internet	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.