Instantbird
Instantbird is an open-source instant messaging client that supports popular chat protocols like XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter and Facebook Chat. It is based on Mozilla technology and aims to be a lightweight and customizable alternative to larger IM clients.
opensource
multiprotocol
lightweight
customizable
Instantbird: Open-Source Instant Messaging Client
Lightweight, customizable instant messaging client supporting XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter and Facebook Chat protocols based on Mozilla technology.
What is Instantbird?
Instantbird is a free, open source instant messaging client developed by the Mozilla community. It allows you to connect to various chat networks and services such as XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter and Facebook Chat in one interface.
Some of the key features of Instantbird include:
- Support for all major chat protocols through add-ons, including popular ones like WhatsApp, Skype and Telegram
- Tabbed interface for easily managing multiple conversations
- Customizable interface with various themes and add-ons
- Encrypted chat support using OTR (Off-The-Record Messaging)
- Message logging and search functionality
- Notifications for new messages with blinking icon and sounds
- File transfers, grouping buddies and other advanced messaging features
As an open source project built using Mozilla technology, Instantbird focuses on being fast, lightweight, secure and easy to extend. With an active developer community creating extensions and localizations, Instantbird can be a great customizable alternative to larger IM clients for those looking for a simple yet powerful messaging application.
Instantbird Features
Features
- Multi-protocol support (XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter, Facebook Chat)
- Lightweight and customizable UI
- Tabbed conversations
- Message logging
- Notification sounds and icons
- Spell checking
- Add-ons and themes support
Pricing
- Open Source
- Free
Pros
Open source and free
Low resource usage
Supports many popular chat protocols
Highly customizable
Cons
Smaller user base than larger IM clients
Limited native mobile app support
Development seems stalled recently
Official Links
The Best Instantbird Alternatives
Top Social & Communications and Instant Messaging and other similar apps like Instantbird
Here are some alternatives to Instantbird:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a messaging app and platform developed by Facebook. It was originally built into the Facebook app but was spun off into its own separate app in 2014.Messenger allows Facebook users to send messages, photos, videos, make voice and video calls, and more to contacts. Some key features...
Telegram
Telegram is a popular cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service launched in 2013 by Pavel Durov and Nikolai Durov. It emphasizes security and speed over other messaging applications. Some key features of Telegram include:End-to-end encrypted messaging, video calls, group chats, file sharing etc.Sync across multiple devices like mobile,...
Pidgin
Pidgin is a popular open source chat application used primarily for instant messaging. It supports multiple mainstream chat protocols and accounts including AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise, Lotus Sametime, Zephyr, and more. This allows users to manage all of their instant messaging accounts and services...
ICQ
ICQ is an instant messaging client and software application first developed in 1996 by the Israeli company Mirabilis. The name ICQ derives from the English phrase "I seek you." It was one of the first stand-alone instant messenger clients for personal computers that had a significant user base.In the late...
Adium
Adium is a free and open source instant messaging application developed specifically for the macOS operating system. It supports many popular chat networks and protocols including AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Jabber/XMPP.Some key features of Adium include:A simple and easy-to-use interface that can be extensively customized...
Trillian
Trillian is a popular multi-protocol instant messaging client developed by Cerulean Studios. It enables users to simultaneously use multiple IM services and protocols, including AIM, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, IRC, XMPP/Jabber, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise Messenger, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, and Zephyr networks all from one application.Some key...
Zulip
Zulip is an open-source team chat application developed by Zulip, Inc. It brings conversations from different channels into one easy-to-follow flow, allowing you to keep up with multiple ongoing discussions simultaneously via threads.Some key features of Zulip include:Public and private streams for organizing conversationsThreaded messaging to trace conversations over timePowerful...
Meebo
Meebo was a popular web-based instant messaging platform launched in 2005. It enabled users to access multiple instant messaging accounts and networks through a single, unified web interface. Meebo supported major IM services and communities such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger (later Windows Live Messenger), Google...
IM+
IM+ is a popular cross-platform instant messaging application developed by SHAPE GmbH. It is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS devices and allows users to connect to multiple IM networks and chat services in one app.Some of the major protocols and services supported by IM+ include ICQ, Jabber (XMPP),...
Telegram X
Telegram X is a messaging application developed for Android that offers robust privacy and security features for user conversations. It is a feature-rich version of Telegram's popular mobile app, focusing on improving speed and usability.Some key features of Telegram X include:End-to-end encrypted messaging for secure private chatsGroup chats supporting up...
Caprine
Caprine is a free, open-source desktop application that allows you to use Facebook Messenger without having a browser tab open. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.Some key features of Caprine include:Native desktop notifications for new messagesKeyboard shortcuts and custom themesSync your chat history across devicesSupports group...
Gajim
Gajim is a free, open-source instant messaging client that uses the XMPP protocol for encrypted communications. It allows you to chat with users on many XMPP-based networks like Google Talk, Jabber, and more.Some key features of Gajim include:End-to-end encryption for secure chatsSupport for group chatsCustomizable interfaces and themesFile transfers, audio/video...
Tempo - TimeGuard Messenger
Tempo - TimeGuard Messenger is a secure messaging and communications application developed by Tempo. It provides users with encrypted messaging, secure file sharing capabilities, and unique time-delayed messaging options to enable more control over digital conversations.Some key features of Tempo - TimeGuard Messenger include:End-to-end encrypted messaging to keep conversations secure...
Kopete
Kopete is a free instant messaging and chat application developed as part of the KDE Software Compilation for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It supports multiple popular chat protocols and services including AIM, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Jabber/XMPP, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise Messenger, and IRC.Some key features of...
Yoono
Yoono is a browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera that aims to enhance the web browsing and research experience. It works by augmenting web pages with additional contextual information, recommendations, and functionality.Some of the key features Yoono offers include:Article Recommendations - Yoono will recommend related articles and...
Jappix
Jappix is an open source, web-based chat application with a focus on security and privacy. It is lightweight and easy to use, requiring no installation or registration. Jappix supports popular chat protocols like XMPP, with plans to support Matrix and IRC in the future.One of the key features of Jappix...
CenterICQ
CenterICQ is a free, open-source instant messaging application for Windows. It enables users to connect to multiple IM networks and chat services including ICQ, XMPP/Jabber, MSN, AIM, IRC, and more from a single application.Some of the key features of CenterICQ include:Supports popular IM protocols like ICQ, XMPP, MSN, AIMTabbed interface...
Kaiwa
Kaiwa is an open-source, web-based chat client with a focus on privacy and security. It allows users to chat using various protocols like XMPP, IRC, Telegram and Matrix, without relying on centralized servers.Some key features of Kaiwa include:Encrypted peer-to-peer chat using OMEMO encryption over XMPPSupport for anonymous IRC chattingTelegram access...
Profanity
Profanity is a free and open source cross-platform instant messaging client for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed in C, it aims to be lightweight, customizable, and easy to use.Profanity supports multiple popular chat protocols out of the box, including XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Telegram, and Twitter. This allows you to connect all...
