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object-src 'none'; report-uri /w/api.php?action=cspreport&format=json; report-to csp-report-to-endpoint last-modified: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:11:29 GMT content-type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 age: 0 accept-ranges: bytes x-cache: cp2047 miss, cp2047 miss x-cache-status: miss server-timing: cache;desc="miss", host;desc="cp2047" strict-transport-security: max-age=106384710; includeSubDomains; preload report-to: { "group": "wm_nel", "max_age": 604800, "endpoints": [{ "url": "https://intake-logging.wikimedia.org/v1/events?stream=w3c.reportingapi.network_error&schema_uri=/w3c/reportingapi/network_error/1.0.0" }] } nel: { "report_to": "wm_nel", "max_age": 604800, "failure_fraction": 0.05, "success_fraction": 0.0} set-cookie: WMF-Last-Access=02-Jul-2026;Path=/;HttpOnly;secure;Expires=Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT set-cookie: WMF-Last-Access-Global=02-Jul-2026;Path=/;Domain=.wikipedia.org;HttpOnly;secure;Expires=Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT set-cookie: WMF-DP=335;Path=/;HttpOnly;secure;Expires=Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT x-client-ip: 75.28.18.94 cache-control: private, s-maxage=0, max-age=0, must-revalidate, no-transform vary: Accept-Encoding,X-Subdomain,Cookie,Authorization,User-Agent set-cookie: GeoIP=US:TX:McKinney:33.20:-96.62:v4; Path=/; secure; Domain=.wikipedia.org set-cookie: NetworkProbeLimit=0.001;Path=/;Secure;SameSite=None;Max-Age=3600 set-cookie: WMF-Uniq=2B9hrfPYuo1eA4kpDUH10QORAAAAAFvd0l69M6RsC85f4JseUiLS78X6h2Vrsy7h;Domain=.wikipedia.org;Path=/;HttpOnly;secure;SameSite=None;Expires=Fri, 02 Jul 2027 00:00:00 GMT transfer-encoding: chunked x-request-id: 5b0e709b-473f-4ea8-8e86-98b8cf99511a x-analytics: 8000 Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients - Wikipedia Jump to content Main menu Main menu move to sidebar hide Navigation Main page Contents Current events Random article About Wikipedia Contact us Contribute Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file Special pages Search Search Appearance Donate Create account Log in Personal tools Donate Create account Log in Contents move to sidebar hide (Top) 1 General 2 Operating system support 3 Connectivity 4 Privacy Toggle Privacy subsection 4.1 Screenshot security 5 Message handling 6 Media 7 Backup and restore messages 8 Miscellaneous 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References Toggle the table of contents Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients 8 languages Català Čeština Deutsch Español Italiano Nederlands Polski 中文 Edit links Article Talk English Read Edit View history Tools Tools move to sidebar hide Actions Read Edit View history General What links here Related changes Upload file Permanent link Page information Cite this page Get shortened URL Switch to legacy parser Print/export Download as PDF Printable version In other projects Wikidata item Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia See also: Messaging apps This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . ( Learn how and when to remove these messages ) This article or section possibly contains original synthesis . Source material should verifiably mention and relate to the main topic. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page . ( April 2026 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) This article may contain original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. ( December 2020 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) The landscape for instant messaging involves cross-platform instant messaging clients that can handle one or multiple protocols. [ 1 ] Clients that use the same protocol can typically federate and talk to one another. The following table compares general and technical information for cross-platform instant messaging clients in active development, each of which have their own article that provide further information. General [ edit ] Client Developer Initial release Platform Latest release License (client) License (server) Monthly active users Version Date BBM Enterprise Blackberry June 2014 ; 12 years ago ( 2014-06 ) [ 2 ] iOS , Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary Beeper Nova Technology, Inc. Beeper, Inc. Automattic May 10, 2021 ; 5 years ago ( 2021-05-10 ) Android ChromeOS iOS Linux macOS Windows Apache-2.0 Apache-2.0 Briar May 9, 2018 ; 8 years ago ( 2018-05-09 ) [ 2 ] Android 1.5.9 [ 3 ] 2024-01-16 GPL-3.0-or-later Not applicable ( peer-to-peer over Bluetooth , WiFi , or Tor network ) Conversations Daniel Gultsch March 24, 2014 ; 12 years ago ( 2014-03-24 ) Android 2.19.15 [ 4 ] 2026-03-31 GPL-3.0-only XMPP protocol Discord Discord Inc. March 6, 2015 ; 11 years ago ( 2015-03-06 ) [ 5 ] Android 269.11 [ 6 ] 2025-03-10 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 150 million (2021) [ 7 ] iOS 270.0 [ 8 ] 2025-03-10 Linux 0.0.88 [ 9 ] 2025 macOS 0.0.270 [ 10 ] 2022-12-12 Windows 1.0.9166 2024-10-08 Element New Vector Limited July 2016 ; 10 years ago ( 2016-07 ) Android AGPL-3.0 Matrix protocol 43 million (2021) [ 11 ] iOS Linux macOS Windows Web Fluxer Fluxer Platform AB January 2026 ; 6 months ago ( 2026-01 ) Linux Windows macOS Web AGPLv3 AGPLv3 Fractal March 16, 2018 ; 8 years ago ( 2018-03-16 ) Linux desktops and mobile OSs GPLv3 Matrix protocol Gadu-Gadu Łukasz Foltyn, GG Network S.A. August 15, 2000 ; 25 years ago ( 2000-08-15 ) Proprietary freeware Proprietary Gajim Yann Le Boulanger May 21, 2004 ; 22 years ago ( 2004-05-21 ) BSD 2.4.7 [ 12 ] 2026-06-18 GPL-3.0-only XMPP protocol Linux macOS Windows Gitter New Vector Ltd February 13, 2023 ; 3 years ago ( 2023-02-13 ) [ 13 ] Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux MIT License Apache-2.0 (Synapse) Google Chat (formerly Google Hangouts ) Google May 15, 2013 ; 13 years ago ( 2013-05-15 ) (as Google Hangouts) March 9, 2017 ; 9 years ago ( 2017-03-09 ) (as Google Chat) Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020) iOS Web Google Messages (RCS) 2018 ; 8 years ago ( 2018 ) Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1 billion (2021) 500 million active (2020) Web Wear OS ICQ Mail.Ru November 1996 ; 29 years ago ( 1996-11 ) Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary Defunct Jami Savoir-faire Linux December 23, 2004 ; 21 years ago ( 2004-12-23 ) Android GPL-3.0-or-later Not applicable ( peer-to-peer ) iOS Linux macOS Windows Jitsi Emil Ivov 2003 ; 23 years ago ( 2003 ) Desktop 2.10.5550 [ 14 ] [ 15 ] 2017-10-01 Apache-2.0 Apache-2.0 20 million (2020) [ 16 ] KakaoTalk Kakao Corp. March 18, 2010 ; 16 years ago ( 2010-03-18 ) Proprietary freeware Proprietary 47 million (2021) [ 17 ] Keet Kik Messenger Medialab October 2010 ; 15 years ago ( 2010-10 ) Android 17.3.1.31975 [ 18 ] 2025-01-20 Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary 15 million (2017) [ 19 ] iOS 17.4.0 [ 20 ] 2025-01-13 Line LY Corporation March 2012 ; 14 years ago ( 2012-03 ) Android 26.6.1 [ 21 ] 2026-05-07 Proprietary freemium Proprietary 169 million (2020) [ 22 ] iOS 26.6.0 [ 23 ] 2026-05-07 Chrome 3.7.2 [ 24 ] 2026-02-24 macOS 26.1.0 [ 25 ] 2026-03-03 Windows 9.8.0.3597 [ 26 ] 2025-09-26 Linphone Belledonne Communications 2001 ; 25 years ago ( 2001 ) Android 4.5.6 [ 27 ] 2021-11-08 GPL-3.0-or-later or proprietary SIP protocol, could connect to any SIP provider/server, including Linphone's service only for SIP linphone service : over 700,000 in 2024 [ 28 ] iOS 4.5.1 [ 29 ] 2021-10-08 Linux 5.2.4 [ 30 ] 2024-04-11 macOS 5.2.4 [ 30 ] 2024-04-11 Windows 5.2.4 [ 30 ] 2024-04-11 BSD Mattermost Mattermost Inc 2015 ; 11 years ago ( 2015 ) Android Apache-2.0 MIT license binary, AGPLv3 for source code , Apache-2.0 for admin tools and config files iOS Linux macOS Windows Messenger Meta Platforms August 9, 2011 ; 14 years ago ( 2011-08-09 ) Android Proprietary freeware Proprietary 988 million (2022) [ 31 ] iOS macOS Windows Movim Timothée Jaussoin March 3, 2011 ; 15 years ago ( 2011-03-03 ) Any, Progressive web application 0.34.1 [ 32 ] 2026-06-28 AGPL-3.0-or-later XMPP protocol Mumble [ 33 ] September 22, 2005 ; 20 years ago ( 2005-09-22 ) Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS 1.4.287 2022-09-14 3-clause BSD Open source Olvid Palringo Palringo Ltd 2006 ; 20 years ago ( 2006 ) Android 10.14 [ 34 ] 2021-11-29 Proprietary freemium Proprietary iOS 10.13.1 [ 35 ] 2021-10-19 Paltalk AVM Software, Inc June 1998 ; 28 years ago ( 1998-06 ) Proprietary freeware Proprietary 5.5 million (2013) [ 36 ] Pidgin Mark Spencer November 1998 ; 27 years ago ( 1998-11 ) BSD 2.14.14 [ 37 ] 2025-01-23 GPL-2.0-or-later Umpteen, both open protocols and interfaces with proprietary messengers Linux macOS Windows Psi Psi and Psi+ developers 2001 ; 25 years ago ( 2001 ) Linux 1.5 [ 38 ] 2020-09-06 GPL-2.0-or-later XMPP protocol macOS Windows QQ Tencent Holdings February 10, 1999 ; 27 years ago ( 1999-02-10 ) Android 9.2.10 [ 39 ] 2025-08-20 Proprietary adware Proprietary 597 million (2023) [ 40 ] iOS, iPadOS, watchOS 9.2.12 [ 41 ] 2025-08-28 Windows 9.9.21 [ 42 ] 2025-09-04 macOS 6.9.79 [ 43 ] 2025-08-20 Linux 3.2.19 [ 44 ] 2025-08-20 RetroShare Cyril Soler, Gioacchino Mazzurco 2006 ; 20 years ago ( 2006 ) 0.6.7 [ 45 ] 2023-11-30 GPL Not applicable ( peer-to-peer ) Ricochet Invisible.im June 2014 ; 12 years ago ( 2014-06 ) FreeBSD 1.1.4 [ 46 ] [ 47 ] [ needs update ] (fork took over development, now at 3.0.15) 2016-11-07 BSD-3-Clause Not applicable ( peer-to-peer over the Tor network ) Linux macOS Windows Session Session Technology Foundation (STF) February 2020 ; 6 years ago ( 2020-02 ) Android iOS Microsoft Windows macOS Linux Funding needed to keep active [ 48 ] [[MIT License|MIT]]<br>[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0]]"}},"i":0}}]}'> BSD-3-Clause MIT GPL-3.0 [[MIT License|MIT]]<br>[[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0]]"}},"i":0}}]}'> BSD-3-Clause MIT GPL-3.0 Signal Signal Foundation July 2014 ; 12 years ago ( 2014-07 ) Android 8.17.3 [ 49 ] 2026-06-29 GPL-3.0-only AGPL-3.0-only 40 million (2021) [ 50 ] iOS 8.17 [ 51 ] 2026-06-24 GPL-3.0-only Desktop 8.17.0 [ 52 ] 2026-07-01 AGPL-3.0-only Skype Skype Technologies , a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation 2003 ; 23 years ago ( 2003 ) Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary Defunct Slack Slack Technologies August 2013 ; 12 years ago ( 2013-08 ) Proprietary freemium Proprietary 12 million (2019) [ 53 ] Snapchat Snap Inc. November 2011 ; 14 years ago ( 2011-11 ) Android 13.31.1.0 [ 54 ] 2025-03-08 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 557 million (2022) [ 31 ] iOS 13.31.0.47 [ 55 ] 2025-03-05 Surespot Surespot LLC 2013 ; 13 years ago ( 2013 ) Android GPL-3.0-or-later + freemium Defunct iOS TeamNote TeamNote Limited 2012 ; 14 years ago ( 2012 ) Subscription Proprietary Telegram Telegram Messenger LLP 2013 ; 13 years ago ( 2013 ) Android 12.8.1 [ 56 ] 2026-06-11 GPL-2.0-or-later Proprietary 700 million (2022) [ 57 ] 900 million (2024) [ 58 ] iOS, iPadOS 12.8 [ 59 ] 2026-06-09 GPL-2.0-or-later Desktop 6.9.1 [ 60 ] 2026-06-09 GPL-3.0-or-later macOS 12.8 [ 61 ] 2026-06-10 GPL-2.0-or-later Threema Threema GmbH December 2012 ; 13 years ago ( 2012-12 ) Android 6.4.3-1148 [ 62 ] 2026-06-09 AGPL-3.0-only Proprietary 10 million (2021) [ 63 ] iOS 7.0.4 [ 64 ] 2026-03-15 Web AGPL-3.0-or-later Trillian Cerulean Studios July 1, 2000 ; 26 years ago ( 2000-07-01 ) Android 6.6.0.13 [ 65 ] 2023-07-25 Proprietary adware freemium Proprietary iOS 6.6.77 [ 66 ] 2024-09-13 Linux 6.3.0.1 [ 67 ] 2020-05-27 macOS 6.6.0.18 [ 68 ] 2024-11-20 Windows 6.5.0.45 [ 69 ] 2024-09-04 Web 6.6.19 [ 70 ] 2024-04-30 Viber Rakuten Viber December 2, 2010 ; 15 years ago ( 2010-12-02 ) Android 20.4.3.0 [ 71 ] 2023-07-02 Proprietary freemium Proprietary 260 million (2019) [ 72 ] iOS 20.4.0 [ 73 ] 2023-07-04 Linux 20.3.0.1 [ 74 ] 2023-06-14 macOS 20.2.0 [ 75 ] 2023-06-12 Windows 20.4.0.0 [ 76 ] 2023-06-30 Voxt.ai Actual Chat, Inc. March 2, 2023 ; 3 years ago ( 2023-03-02 ) Android 13 February 2026 AGPL-3.0-only AGPL-3.0-only iOS 13 February 2026 Web 13 February 2026 Windows 13 February 2026 WeChat Tencent Holdings Limited January 21, 2011 ; 15 years ago ( 2011-01-21 ) Proprietary freeware Proprietary 1.263 billion (2022) [ 31 ] WhatsApp Meta Platforms January 2009 ; 17 years ago ( 2009-01 ) Android 2.26.10.72 [ 77 ] 2026-03-14 Proprietary freeware Proprietary 2 billion (2020), [ 78 ] confirmed in 2024 [ 79 ] iOS 26.10.74 [ 80 ] 2026-03-20 macOS 26.10.74 [ 80 ] 2026-03-20 Windows 2.2607.6.0 [ 81 ] 2026-03-16 Wire Wire Swiss GmbH December 3, 2014 ; 11 years ago ( 2014-12-03 ) Android 4.15.4 2025-10-16 GPL-3.0-or-later AGPL-3.0-or-later 20 million [ 82 ] iOS 4.12.2 2026-01-21 Linux 3.40.3882 2025-12-10 macOS 3.40.5442 2025-12-10 Windows 3.40.5233 2025-12-10 Web Webapp-2026-01 2026-01-27 Client Developer Initial release Platform Latest release License (client) License (server) Monthly active users Version Date Operating system support [ edit ] Operating system support for messaging clients Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS iPadOS Beeper Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Briar No No Yes No Yes No Discord Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Element Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Fluxer Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Fractal No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Gadu-Gadu Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Gajim Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Gitter Yes No Yes No No No Google Chat No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Google Messages (RCS) No [ a ] No [ a ] {{cite web |title=How to Use Google Messages on Linux |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-use-google-messages-on-linux/ |website=MUO |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221220635/https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-use-google-messages-on-linux/ |archive-date=21 February 2022 |date=20 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>"]}'>Needs third-party client [ a ] [ 83 ] Yes Included No No ICQ Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jami Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jitsi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes KakaoTalk Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Kik Messenger No No No No Yes Yes Line Yes Yes {{cite web |title=LINE |url=https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/line/ophjlpahpchlmihnnnihgmmeilfjmjjc |website=Chrome Web Store |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>"]}'>As browser extension [ 84 ] No Yes Yes Yes Linphone Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Mattermost Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Messages (Apple) No Included No No No Included Yes Messenger Yes Yes {{cite web |title=How to Install Facebook Messenger 'Caprine' in Ubuntu 18.04 |url=https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2019/03/install-facebook-messenger-caprine-ubuntu-18-04/ |website=UbuntuHandbook |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419131319/https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2019/03/install-facebook-messenger-caprine-ubuntu-18-04/ |archive-date=19 April 2021 |date=7 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>"]}'>Needs third-party client [ a ] [ 85 ] Yes Yes Yes Yes Mumble Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Movim Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Palringo No No No No Yes Yes Paltalk Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Pidgin Yes Yes Yes No No No Psi Yes Yes Yes No No No RetroShare Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Ricochet Yes Yes Yes No No No Session Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Signal Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Skype Included Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Slack Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Snapchat No No No No Yes Yes Yes Surespot No No No No Yes Yes TeamNote No [ a ] No [ a ] No [ a ] Yes Yes Yes Telegram Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Tencent QQ Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Threema Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Trillian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Viber Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes WeChat Yes Yes {{cite web |title=How to Install WeChat Desktop Client in Ubuntu Linux |url=https://itsfoss.com/install-wechat-desktop-client-in-ubuntu/ |website=It's FOSS |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414022538/https://itsfoss.com/install-wechat-desktop-client-in-ubuntu/ |archive-date=14 April 2021 |date=22 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>"]}'>Needs third-party client [ a ] [ 86 ] Yes Yes Yes Yes WhatsApp Yes Yes {{cite web |title=Nativefier |url=https://github.com/nativefier/nativefier |website=GitHub |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Install and Use WhatsApp Desktop Client in Linux |url=https://itsfoss.com/whatsapp-linux-desktop/ |website=It's FOSS |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305191440/https://itsfoss.com/whatsapp-linux-desktop/ |archive-date=5 March 2021 |date=15 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WhatSie - WhatsApp for Linux |url=https://snapcraft.io/whatsie |website=Snapcraft |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp |url=https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/WhatsApp |website=ArchWiki |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>"]}'>Needs third-party client {{cite web |title=Nativefier |url=https://github.com/nativefier/nativefier |website=GitHub |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>"}},"i":0}}]}'> [ a ] [ 88 ] [ 89 ] [ 90 ] Yes Yes Yes Yes Wire Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS iPadOS Connectivity [ edit ] Client Registration requirement Independent of mobile phone End-to-end encryption text chat"}},"i":0}}]}'> Peer-to-peer text chat Open source servers Federated servers Briar No Yes Yes N/A( P2P ) N/A( P2P ) Discord Email and Phone number Yes No No No No Element No Yes {{cite web | url=https://element.io/features/end-to-end-encryption | title=End-to-end encryption (E2EE) &#124; Collaboration and messaging }}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 91 ] No Yes Yes Fractal No No Yes Yes Gadu-Gadu Email and Phone number No No Gajim No Yes Yes No Yes Gitter ? ? ? ? ? ? Google Chat Email; Google account Yes Google Messages (RCS) Phone number RCS chat features may continue to work for up to 14 days, when a SIM card is removed from the device."}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7189714?hl=en|title=Turn on chat features in Messages - Messages Help}}</ref>"]}'>Similar to SMS requirements, RCS messaging requires a valid SIM card to be inserted in the device. RCS chat features may continue to work for up to 14 days, when a SIM card is removed from the device. [ 92 ] Yes, only for RCS chats {{clarify|date=October 2022}}"]}'>N/A [ clarification needed ] Yes ICQ Phone number Desktop client can function independently afterwards."}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@Dimitryophoto/icq-is-back-and-there-are-11-things-you-should-know-about-it-b993dddfc234|title=ICQ Is Back, and There Are 11 Things You Should Know About It by Dimitry O. Photo|date=22 August 2017 }}</ref>"]}'>Phone required for initial registration. Desktop client can function independently afterwards. [ 93 ] No Jami No Yes Yes Yes N/A( P2P ) N/A( P2P ) Jitsi No Yes No Yes Yes KakaoTalk No No No No Kik Messenger Email No No No No Line Phone number No No No No Linphone No Yes No No Yes Yes Mattermost No Yes No Messages (Apple) Email; Apple ID account Yes No {{clarify|date=October 2022}}"]}'>N/A [ clarification needed ] {{clarify|date=October 2022}}"]}'>N/A [ clarification needed ] Messenger Email or Phone number; Facebook account Yes No No No Movim No No Yes Yes Mumble no Yes Yes Yes Palringo No No No Paltalk Email No No Pidgin No Yes With extension only Yes Yes Yes Psi No RetroShare Yes N/A( P2P ) N/A( P2P ) Ricochet Yes Yes N/A( P2P ) N/A( P2P ) Session No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Signal {{cite web|url=https://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Chat/Instant-Messaging/Signal-Desktop.shtml|title=Signal Desktop|last=Ciobica|first=Vladimir|date=26 May 2021|website=Softpedia|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vpnpro.com/messaging-apps/signal-review/|title=Signal messaging app review 2021|last=Youngren|first=Jan|date=19 January 2021|website=VPNpro|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> VoIP number<ref name=\"Signal_VoIP\">{{cite web |last1=Collective |first1=Tech Learning |title=This little-known trick lets you use Signal without giving out your phone number |url=https://techlearningcollective.com/2019/10/29/this-little-known-trick-lets-you-use-signal-without-giving-out-your-phone-number.html |website=Tech Learning Collective |date=29 October 2019}}</ref>"]}'>Phone number; iOS or Android device. [ 94 ] [ 95 ] VoIP number [ 96 ] iPadOS or Desktop client can function independently afterwards."}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320551-Linked-Devices|title=Linked Devices|publisher=Signal Support|access-date=1 Nov 2025}}</ref>"]}'>Phone required for initial registration. iPadOS or Desktop client can function independently afterwards. [ 97 ] Yes No {{cite web|title=Signal · GitHub|website=[[GitHub]] |url=https://github.com/signalapp|access-date=29 July 2014|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 98 ] No Skype Email; Microsoft account Yes No No No Slack Email Yes No No No Snapchat Email or Phone number No No No No Surespot No No No TeamNote Telegram {{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-a-telegram-account|title=How to make a Telegram account and start using the popular group chatting app|last=Witman|first=Emma|date=22 January 2021|website=Business Insider|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>"]}'>Phone number; iOS or Android device [ 99 ] Desktop client can function independently afterwards."}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.org/faq?setln=en#login-and-sms|title=Login and SMS - Telegram FAQ}}</ref>"]}'>Phone required for initial registration & login. Desktop client can function independently afterwards. [ 100 ] {{Cite web |title=Q: How are secret chats different? - Telegram FAQ |url=https://telegram.org/faq#q-how-are-secret-chats-different |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Telegram}}</ref> voice and video calls,<ref name=\":0\">{{Cite web |title=Q: What is Telegram? What do I do here? - Telegram FAQ |url=https://telegram.org/faq#q-what-is-telegram-what-do-i-do-here |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Telegram}}</ref> and voice chats in groups<ref name=\":0\" />"]}'>For some features: secret chats, [ 101 ] voice and video calls, [ 102 ] and voice chats in groups [ 102 ] No No No Tencent QQ {{cite web|url=https://chinahow.guide/qq-registration-sign-up/|title=How to sign up for a QQ account in 2021? (For PUBG, Game for Peace or Honor of Kings)|date=29 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chinaclife.com/how-to-register-qq-international-account-2019-for-pubg-and-quick-login/|title=Latest Guide: How to Register a QQ International Account For PUBG, Avena of Valors and Quick Login to other Chinese Apps|date=28 April 2019 }}</ref>"]}'>No [ 103 ] [ 104 ] No No No No Threema No However, the mobile app serves as the primary device, due to the end-to-end encryption architecture."}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://threema.ch/en/messenger-comparison|title=Comparison of Popular Messenger Services – Threema}}</ref>"]}'>A valid phone number or email address is not required for registration & login. However, the mobile app serves as the primary device, due to the end-to-end encryption architecture. [ 105 ] Yes No No No Trillian No Yes No No Yes Viber Phone number No {{cite web|title=Viber Encryption Overview|url=https://www.viber.com/app/uploads/Viber-Encryption-Overview.pdf|access-date=}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 106 ] No No No WeChat Phone number or QQ number No No No No No WhatsApp Phone number No Yes No No No Wire Email or Phone number Yes {{cite web|title=Wire Product Features|url=https://wire.com/en/product/features/|access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 107 ] No {{cite web|title=Wire server code now 100% open source – the journey continues|url=https://medium.com/@wireapp/wire-server-code-now-100-open-source-the-journey-continues-88e24164309c|website=Medium|publisher=Wire Swiss GmbH|access-date=23 September 2017|date=19 September 2017}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 108 ] Yes Client Registration requirement Independent of mobile phone End-to-end encryption text chat"}},"i":0}}]}'> Peer-to-peer text chat Open source servers Federated servers Privacy [ edit ] Some messaging services that are not designed for privacy require a unique phone number for sign-up, as a form of identity verification and to prevent users from creating multiple accounts. Some messaging services that do not solely focus on a mobile-first experience, or enforce SMS authentication, may allow email addresses to be used for sign-up instead. Some messaging services offer greater flexibility and privacy, by allowing users to create more than one account to compartmentalize personal & work purposes, or not requiring personally identifiable information for sign-up. To find out if the software has end-to-end encryption , see "media" table below. Client Share username Hide number Account expiration Reset password Password lockout Search for contacts Voice changer Plugins Briar by public key or in-person pairing Discord Username & Discord Tag Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled No Element Username Matrix ID Yes Fractal Username Matrix ID Gadu-Gadu No Gajim Yes Gitter Google Chat Email address Google Messages (RCS) Phone number ICQ Yes Jami Yes No (not stored on servers) No (not stored on servers) {{cite web |title=Jami |url=https://jami.net/the-jami-quirks/ |website=Jami |language=en |date=9 August 2019}}</ref>"]}'>No (not stored on servers) [ 109 ] by random identifier or email-like address No Yes Jitsi by shared 4-random-words URL Yes KakaoTalk Kik Messenger Username Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled Line Username Phone number Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled (sending friend requests are required) Yes Linphone Mattermost Yes Messages (Apple) Email address Phone number No Messenger Facebook profile Username URL Phone number Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled Yes Movim No Mumble username Palringo No Paltalk No Pidgin Yes Psi Yes RetroShare Ricochet Signal Yes Default. Number is only visible if it is saved to a friend's contact {{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059792-Signal-PIN |title=Signal PIN|publisher=Signal Support}}</ref>"]}'>No [ 110 ] 30 seconds after 5 fails (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)"},"2":{"wt":""}},"i":0}}]}'> Phone number (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts) No Skype Username Email address Phone number Yes Slack Name (requires joining a Slack workspace) Email address invitation (requires Slack Connect) Yes Snapchat Username Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled Yes Surespot No No TeamNote Telegram 6 months 5 seconds after 3 fails (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)"}},"i":0}}]}'> Username Phone number (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts) No Tencent QQ No Threema No Trillian Yes Viber (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)"},"2":{"wt":""}},"i":0}}]}'> Phone number (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts) Yes WeChat (sending friend requests are required)"}},"i":0}}]}'> Username Phone number Phonebook contacts scanning if enabled (sending friend requests are required) WhatsApp No (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts)"},"2":{"wt":""}},"i":0}}]}'> Phone number (Contact list syncs automatically with phonebook contacts) No Wire No Client Share username Hide number Account expiration Reset password Password lockout Search for contacts Voice changer Plugins 1: Apple iOS doesn't allow screenshot protection. Screenshot security [ edit ] Client Hide number in chats Lock screen timeout Lock screen when closed Lock screen button Screenshot detection Screenshot/recording disabled (Android only) [ 111 ] Briar Yes Yes Discord No Element No Fractal Gadu-Gadu Gajim No No No No No No Gitter Google Chat Google Messages (RCS) ICQ Jami No (not stored on servers) No No {{cite web |title=7bb77aa65771c36f709e14d593dc8e0d88e16ddd - jami-client-android - Gitiles |url=https://review.jami.net/plugins/gitiles/jami-client-android/+/7bb77aa65771c36f709e14d593dc8e0d88e16ddd |website=review.jami.net}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 112 ] Jitsi No KakaoTalk Kik Messenger Line Yes Linphone Mattermost No Messages (Apple) No Messenger No Movim ? Mumble Palringo Paltalk Pidgin Psi RetroShare Ricochet Signal Yes No Yes {{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360043469312-Screen-Security |title=Screen Security|publisher=Signal Support}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 113 ] Skype Slack Snapchat Yes Surespot TeamNote Telegram Yes Yes No {{cite web |title=Telegram FAQ |url=https://telegram.org/faq?setln=be#q-can-i-be-certain-that-my-conversation-partner-doesn-39t-take-a |website=Telegram}}</ref>"]}'>Yes (on Secret Chats) [ 114 ] {{cite web |last1=Says |first1=جلوگیری از اسکرین شات در تلگرام چگونه است؟-تکست روزانه |title=How To Prevent People From Screenshotting Your Telegram Chat |url=https://gadgets-africa.com/2022/02/24/how-to-prevent-screenshotting-on-telegram/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224071703/https://gadgets-africa.com/2022/02/24/how-to-prevent-screenshotting-on-telegram/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |website=Gadgets Africa |date=24 February 2022}}</ref>"]}'>Yes (on Secret Chats) [ 115 ] Tencent QQ Threema Yes Trillian Viber Yes WeChat WhatsApp No Fingerprint sensor Wire No Client Hide number in chats Lock screen timeout Lock screen when closed Lock screen button Screenshot detection Screenshot/recording disabled (Android only) [ 111 ] Message handling [ edit ] Client Threads Sent messages Read messages Self-destructing messages Threads Collapse [ 116 ] Ignore Editing Deleting Delete for contacts Delete notification Receipts Hide receipts Exists Deletion trigger Briar [https://briarproject.org/manual/ Briar User Manual]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 117 ] No No Yes No Discord Yes [https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403205878423-Threads-FAQ Discord Threads FAQ]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 118 ] [https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403205878423-Threads-FAQ#h_01F99ZC4TMXQ1BEFZRGJWG8MMQ Discord I Want To Leave A Thread]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 119 ] Yes Yes No No Element [https://element.io/blog/introducing-threads-in-beta/ Introducing Threads in Beta!]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 120 ] Yes No Partial Yes Yes No Fractal Gadu-Gadu Gajim Yes Yes No Gitter Google Chat [https://support.google.com/chat/answer/12176589 Learn how to manage a space with in-line threading]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 121 ] Yes Yes {{cite web|title=New Google Chat features: smart compose, message editing and more|date=30 June 2023 |url=https://blog.google/products/workspace/google-chat-features-update-june-2023/}}</ref>"]}'>Originally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023 [ 122 ] Originally for Google Workspace accounts only; rolled out to consumer accounts in July 2023 Yes No Google Messages (RCS) No No No No Yes Yes No ICQ No No No Yes Jami No No No No Desktop only No Not applicable {{cite web |title=FAQ — Jami documentation |url=https://docs.jami.net/user/faq.html#does-jami-support-read-receipts-can-i-turn-them-on-or-off |website=docs.jami.net}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 123 ] "]}'>Android only [ 123 ] Yes Jitsi No No No No KakaoTalk No No No Kik Messenger No No No Line No No No No Partial Yes No Linphone No No No Mattermost Yes [https://docs.mattermost.com/channels/organize-conversations.html Organize conversations using Collapsed Reply Threads]</ref>"]}'>Optional 7+ [ 124 ] No Yes Yes No No Messages (Apple) No No No No Messenger [https://www.engadget.com/2019-03-20-facebook-messenger-threads.html Facebook Messenger gets threaded replies]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 125 ] No No No Yes Yes Yes Movim [https://medevel.com/movim/ Movim: a decentralized open-source XMPP-based messaging and social platform]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 126 ] No No Yes Yes No Mumble No No No Palringo No No No Paltalk No No No Pidgin No No No Yes Psi No No No Yes RetroShare Yes [https://retroshare.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/interface/ Retroshare » Docs » User Guide » Interface]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 127 ] No No No Yes No Ricochet No No No Signal No No No Yes Yes {{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320491-Delete-messages-alerts-or-chats|title=Delete messages, alerts, or chats|publisher=Signal Support}}</ref>"]}'>Within 24 hours [ 128 ] Yes Yes Yes Yes Read [ 129 ] Skype No No No Slack Yes [https://slack.com/help/articles/115000769927-Use-threads-to-organize-discussions- Use threads to organize discussions]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 130 ] [https://karenapp.io/books/slack/sharing-files-and-conversations/unfollow-thread-slack/ How to Unfollow Thread in Slack?]</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 131 ] Yes Yes Yes Snapchat No No No No Yes Yes Yes Surespot No No No No TeamNote No No No Yes Yes No Telegram [https://bugs.telegram.org/?sort=rate&query=Threads Bugs and Suggestions » Threads]</ref>"]}'>No [ 132 ] No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Read Tencent QQ No No No Threema [https://threema.ch/en/work/messenger-comparison Comparison of Communication Tools for Companies]</ref>"]}'>No [ 133 ] No No No Yes Yes No Trillian No No No Yes Viber No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes WeChat No No No WhatsApp No No No No Partial Yes Yes No Wire No No No Yes Yes Yes {{cite web|title=Safe and tidy with Timed Messages|url=https://medium.com/wire-news/safe-and-tidy-with-timed-messages%EF%B8%8F-4f26ff17b11b|publisher=Wire Swiss|access-date=25 October 2016|date=25 October 2016}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 134 ] Client Threads Sent messages Read messages Self-destructing messages Threads Collapse Ignore Editing Deleting Delete for contacts Delete notification Receipts Hide receipts Exists Deletion trigger Media [ edit ] Client File transfer Voice messages Voice chat Video chat E2EE Encrypted local storage Individual Groups Briar Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Discord Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Element Fractal Gadu-Gadu Yes Yes Yes No No Gajim Yes Yes No {{Cite web|url=https://dev.gajim.org/gajim/gajim/-/wikis/help/gajimfaq|title = Gajimfaq · Wiki · gajim / Gajim| date=16 April 2023 }}</ref>"]}'>No [ 135 ] Yes Yes Gitter Google Chat Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Google Messages (RCS) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ICQ Yes No Yes Yes No No Jami Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jitsi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes KakaoTalk Yes Yes Yes Kik Messenger Yes No No Line Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial {{cite web|author1=Shin, Ki Bin|title=The next step for even safer messaging: Letter Sealing|url=https://engineering.linecorp.com/en/blog/the-next-step-for-even-safer-messaging-letter-sealing/|publisher=Line Corporation|access-date=28 February 2022|date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002044533/http://developers.linecorp.com/blog/?p=3938|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 136 ] Linphone Mattermost Yes Plug-in Plug-in Plug-in No No Messages (Apple) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Messenger Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Movim Yes No Yes Yes Yes For private group Mumble Yes Yes No No No Palringo No No Yes No No No Paltalk Yes Yes Yes No No Pidgin No No Partial Yes Yes Psi Yes Yes Partial Partial Yes Yes RetroShare Yes Yes Yes Ricochet Yes Signal Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes {{cite web|title=Signal and Encryption at rest|url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/signal-and-encryption-at-rest/1953|publisher=SignalCommunity|access-date=27 December 2021|date=12 February 2018}}</ref>"]}'>Partial [ 137 ] Skype Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Slack Yes No No Snapchat No Yes Yes Yes No No Surespot Yes Yes Yes No Yes No groupchat TeamNote Yes No Telegram Yes Yes Yes Yes Secret Chats No {{cite web|title=Telegram App Store Secret-Chat Messages in Plain-Text Database|url=https://blog.zimperium.com/telegram-hack/|access-date=27 December 2021|date=23 February 2015}}</ref>"]}'>No [ 138 ] Tencent QQ Yes No Yes Yes No No Threema Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Trillian Yes Partial Yes Yes No No Viber Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes WeChat Yes Yes Yes Yes No No WhatsApp Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Wire Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Client File transfer Voice messages Voice chat Video chat E2EE Encrypted local storage Individual Groups Backup and restore messages [ edit ] Official status to guarantee support for backing up and restoring messages. Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS Beeper Briar Discord Element Fractal Gadu-Gadu Gajim Gitter Google Chat Google Messages (RCS) ICQ Jami Jitsi KakaoTalk Kik Messenger Line Linphone Mattermost Messages (Apple) Messenger Mumble Movim Palringo Paltalk Pidgin Psi RetroShare Ricochet Session Signal {{cite web |url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059752-Backup-and-Restore-Messages |title=Backup and Restore Messages|publisher=Signal Support}}</ref>"]}'>No [ 139 ] "]}'>No [ 139 ] "]}'>No [ 139 ] "]}'>No [ 139 ] "]}'>Yes [ 139 ] "]}'>Yes [ 139 ] Skype Slack Snapchat Surespot TeamNote Telegram Tencent QQ Threema Trillian Viber WeChat WhatsApp {{cite web |url=https://faq.whatsapp.com/1144861179456352 |title=Back Up or Restore Your Chats|publisher=Whatsapp Support}}</ref>"]}'>No [ 140 ] "]}'>No [ 140 ] "]}'>No [ 140 ] "]}'>No [ 140 ] "]}'>Yes [ 140 ] "]}'>Yes [ 140 ] Wire {{cite web\n |title=Gesprächsverlauf sichern und wiederherstellen\n |url=https://support.wire.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000386537\n |publisher=Wire Support\n |language=de\n |access-date=30 January 2026\n}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 141 ] "]}'>Yes [ 141 ] "]}'>Yes [ 141 ] "]}'>Yes [ 141 ] "]}'>Yes [ 141 ] "]}'>Yes [ 141 ] Client Windows macOS Linux Web Android iOS Miscellaneous [ edit ] Messaging services can operate around different models, based on security and accessibility considerations. [ 142 ] A mobile-focused, phone number-based model operates on the concept of primary and secondary devices. Examples of such messaging services include: WhatsApp , Viber , Line , WeChat , Signal , etc. The primary device is a mobile phone and is required to login and send/receive messages. Only one mobile phone is allowed to be the primary device, as attempting to login to the messaging app on another mobile phone would trigger the previous phone to be logged out. The secondary device is a computer running a desktop operating system, which serves as a companion for the primary device. Desktop messaging clients on secondary devices do not function independently, as they are reliant on the mobile phone maintaining an active network connection for login authentication and syncing messages. A multi-device, device-agnostic model is designed for accessibility on multiple devices, regardless of desktop or mobile. Examples of such messaging services include: Skype , Facebook Messenger , Google Hangouts (subsequently Google Chat ), Telegram , ICQ , Element , Slack , Discord , etc. Users have more options as usernames or email addresses can be used as user identifiers, besides phone numbers. Unlike the phone-based model, user accounts on a multi-device model are not tied to a single device, and logins are allowed on multiple devices. Messaging services with a multi-device model are able to eliminate feature disparity and provide identical functionality on both mobile and desktop clients. Desktop clients can function independently, without relying on the mobile phone to login and sync messages. Client Typing notifications Multi-device support Emoji reactions Stickers GIF search Custom emoji Themes / skins Briar No Yes No Discord Yes {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/discord/status/1079674168935878657?lang=en|title=Discord on Twitter: \"Yup, you can be logged into as many devices at the same time...\" / Twitter}}</ref><ref name=\"mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers\">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirrorreview.com/top-5-messenger-apps-support-feature/|title=Top 5 Messenger Apps Supporting Multi-Device Support Feature - Mirror Review|date=10 August 2020 }}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 143 ] [ 144 ] Yes Yes (custom stickers require paid) Yes {{cite web |title=Boost Your Account and Support Us with Discord Nitro |url=https://discord.com/blog/boost-your-account-and-support-us-with-discord-nitro |website=Discord |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>"]}'>Paid [ 145 ] {{cite web |title=Now in Nitro: Bring Your Vibe to Discord with New Themes |url=https://discord.com/blog/bring-your-vibe-to-discord-with-new-themes-in-nitro |website=Discord |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>"]}'>Paid [ 146 ] Element {{cite web|url=https://linuxkamarada.com/en/2021/05/20/the-element-messenger-and-the-matrix-standard/|title=The Element messenger (and the Matrix standard) - Linux Kamarada|date=20 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name=\"mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers\" />"]}'>Yes [ 147 ] [ 144 ] Yes Yes No Yes Yes Fractal Gadu-Gadu No Gajim Yes Yes Yes Gitter Google Chat {{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/a/answer/6187630?hl=en|title=Use classic Hangouts on all your devices - Google Workspace Admin Help}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chat/answer/9341104?hl=en|title=Use Google Chat in Gmail - Computer - Google Chat Help}}</ref>"]}'>Yes (an optional setting allows messages to be accessible on Gmail as well) [ 148 ] [ 149 ] Yes Yes No Google Messages (RCS) {{cite web |title=Check your messages on your computer or Android tablet - Messages Help |url=https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7611075?hl=en |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=Google Support}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary web browsers only (phone required to sync messages) [ 150 ] Only a limited set of reactions available Yes Yes Partial ICQ {{cite web|url=https://bestygame.com/en/a-whole-new-icq-awaits-you-on-ios/|title=» A whole new ICQ awaits you on iOS|date=13 January 2021 }}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 151 ] Yes Yes Yes Jami "]}'>Yes [ 123 ] Yes {{cite web|url=https://docs.jami.net/en_US/user/all-features-by-client.html|title=Features of Jami Clients|date=11 January 2024}}</ref>"]}'>Partial [ 152 ] No Jitsi Yes KakaoTalk {{cite web|url=http://www.kakao.com/talk/en/faq|title=Help - Kaokao|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208053502/http://www.kakao.com:80/talk/en/faq|archive-date=2017-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cs.kakao.com/helps?articleId=1073183153&service=8&category=5&device=2&locale=en|title=General - Kaokao}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [ 153 ] [ 154 ] No Kik Messenger {{cite web|url=https://kikhelpcenter.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402351602971-Kik-FAQs|title=Kik FAQs – Kik}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>"]}'>No [ 155 ] Yes Yes Line {{cite web|url=https://help.line.me/line/android/pc?lang=en&contentId=20000132|title=Help center - LINE}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [ 156 ] Yes Yes No Yes Linphone Mattermost No Yes Yes Messages (Apple) {{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/guide/messages/access-messages-apple-devices-icht5b5d1e63/mac|title=Access your messages on all your Apple devices - Apple Support}}</ref>"]}'>Yes (Apple devices) [ 157 ] No No Messenger {{cite web|url=https://mashtips.com/facebook-secret-conversations/|title=A Guide on How to Use Facebook Secret Conversations|date=24 October 2019 }}</ref>"]}'>Yes (messages are also accessible on the main Facebook website) [ 158 ] Yes Yes Yes No Yes Movim Yes No No Mumble Palringo No Yes Paltalk No Yes Pidgin No No Yes Yes Psi Yes Yes RetroShare Yes No Ricochet No Signal Yes {{cite web|url=https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320451|title=Troubleshooting multiple devices|publisher=Signal Support}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 5 linked devices) [ 159 ] Yes Yes Only on Android and iOS No Yes Skype {{cite web|url=https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12368/can-i-sync-my-skype-instant-messages-across-devices|title=Can I sync my Skype instant messages across devices? - Skype Support}}</ref><ref name=\"mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers\" />"]}'>Yes [ 160 ] [ 144 ] Yes Yes No No Slack Yes <ref name=\"mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers\" />"]}'>Yes [ 142 ] [ 144 ] Yes Yes Snapchat {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/snapchatsupport/status/971212591312834560?lang=en|title=Snapchat Support on Twitter: \"The Snapchat app does not currently allow multiple users to log into one shared account. Similarly, the Snapchat app cannot run on multiple devices at once, so each time you log in to a device, it will log you out of the other device.\" / Twitter}}</ref>"]}'>No [ 161 ] Yes Yes No No Surespot No Yes TeamNote No Telegram Yes {{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@sumgr0/telegram-feature-rich-messaging-f3fd9a7611b0|title=Telegram — Feature rich messaging - by Sumit Grover - Medium|date=29 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name=\"mirror-review-multiple-device-messengers\" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.org/faq?setln=en#q-which-devices-can-i-use|title=Q: Which devices can I use? - Telegram FAQ}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 162 ] [ 144 ] [ 163 ] Full set of reactions only available on Telegram Premium Yes Yes Yes Yes Tencent QQ {{cite web|url=https://chowdera.com/2021/12/20211204063740605I.html|title=Opening QQ login protection is still stolen -- a comprehensive analysis of QQ security mechanism|access-date=2022-08-06|archive-date=2022-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806111148/https://chowdera.com/2021/12/20211204063740605I.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [ 164 ] No Yes Threema Phone must maintain an active network connection at all times to use the desktop client."}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://threema.ch/en/support|title=Support – Threema - Desktop/Web}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages). Phone must maintain an active network connection at all times to use the desktop client. [ 165 ] Yes No Yes Trillian Yes Yes Viber {{cite web|url=https://help.viber.com/en/article/set-up-viber-on-your-tablet-or-ipad|title=Set Up Viber on Your Tablet or iPad - Viber Support Knowledge Base|access-date=2022-07-27|archive-date=2022-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809195332/https://help.viber.com/en/article/set-up-viber-on-your-tablet-or-ipad|url-status=dead}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [ 166 ] Only a limited set of reactions available Yes Yes No Yes WeChat {{cite web|url=https://help.wechat.com/cgi-bin/micromsg-bin/oshelpcenter?opcode=2&lang=en&plat=android&pid=1003374&id=120813euejvf1505046zj6jz&Channel=helpcenter|title=I'm prompted of already logging in to another device. - WeChat Help Centre}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages) [ 167 ] No WhatsApp Yes Phone must not be offline for ≥ 14 days; message history limited to 3 months.<br/>Unsupported on [[iPad]], [[iPod Touch]].</p>"}},"i":0}},"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/download-and-installation/about-linked-devices/?lang=en|title=About linked devices - WhatsApp Help Center}}</ref>"]}'>On secondary desktop devices only (phone required to sync messages; 4 linked devices) Phone must not be offline for ≥ 14 days; message history limited to 3 months. Unsupported on iPad , iPod Touch . [ 168 ] Yes Yes Yes No No Wire Yes {{cite web\n |title=Can I use Wire on multiple devices?\n |url=https://support.wire.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003858445\n |publisher=Wire Support\n |access-date=30 January 2026\n}}</ref>"]}'>Yes [ 169 ] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Client Typing notifications Multi-device support Emoji reactions Stickers GIF search Custom emoji Themes / skins See also [ edit ] Technology portal Comparison of instant messaging protocols Comparison of IRC clients Comparison of VoIP software List of SIP software Comparison of LAN messengers List of video telecommunication services and product brands Comparison of user features of messaging platforms Notes [ edit ] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 In addition to other official and third-party solutions, a native desktop application can be generated for the instant messaging app website using Nativefier. [ 87 ] References [ edit ] ↑ "The top 6 best Instant Message client apps on any platform" . 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Retrieved 30 January 2026 . v t e Instant messaging Protocols ( comparison ) Open DDP IMPP IRC Matrix MLS MTProto Retroshare Signal Protocol SIP MSRP SIMPLE Tox XMPP Jingle Zephyr Closed MSNP OSCAR TOC Skype Services Band BBM Enterprise Beeper BiP Bitchat DingTalk Discord Element Google Chat Google Meet Google Messages GroupMe iGap iMessage Imo Instagram Direct Messenger JioChat Jongla KakaoTalk Kik Lark Libon Line Marco Polo Mattermost Max Facebook Messenger Messenger Kids Olvid Paltalk The Palace QQ Rocket.Chat Sandes Session ShareChat Signal Slack Snapchat Snow Stoat Tango Live Telegram Textfree Threema Trillian Viber VK Messenger WeChat WhatsApp Wickr WOLF Zalo Zoom Zulip Clients ( comparison ) Single protocol Baidu Hi BBM Enterprise Briar Element FaceTime Gadu-Gadu GroupMe HCL Sametime IMVU Jami Jongla Linphone Facebook Messenger Olvid QQ Retroshare Ricochet Session Signal Telegram Tox WeChat WhatsApp Wickr Wire WOLF Multi-protocol Adium Ayttm Beeper BitlBee Centericq eBuddy Jitsi Kopete Messages Miranda NG Nimbuzz Pidgin Finch Telepathy Thunderbird Trillian XMPP (Jabber) Conversations Gajim Movim Psi Spark Xabber MSNP Microsoft Teams Defunct List of defunct instant messaging platforms Related Backchannel Chat log Chatbot Circuit Comparison of user features of messaging platforms Contact list Emoticon File sharing FirstClass Flock Fuze Box Hall.com LAN messenger Online chat Presence information RingCentral Glip SMS language Status message U-Report Videotelephony Viva Engage VoIP Webcam Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Comparison_of_cross-platform_instant_messaging_clients&oldid=1350421615 " Categories : Network software comparisons Instant messaging clients Social software Online services comparisons Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Articles that may contain original research from April 2026 Articles that may contain original research from December 2020 All articles that may contain original research Articles with multiple maintenance issues CS1 errors: missing title CS1 errors: bare URL CS1 Chinese-language sources (zh) Wikipedia articles in need of updating from October 2022 All Wikipedia articles in need of updating CS1 errors: requires URL Wikipedia articles needing clarification from October 2022 CS1: unfit URL CS1 German-language sources (de) All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from August 2025 Articles with permanently dead external links This page was last edited on 21 April 2026, at 21:22  (UTC) . Page was rendered with Parsoid . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. , a non-profit organization. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers Contact Wikipedia Legal & safety contacts Code of Conduct Developers Statistics Cookie statement Mobile view Search Search Toggle the table of contents Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients 8 languages Add topic 0