Kadu icon

Kadu

Kadu is an open-source instant messaging client for Linux, Windows and macOS. It supports multiple protocols including Jabber/XMPP, Gadu-Gadu, Facebook Messenger, IRC and more. Kadu is lightweight, customizable and offers features like message encryption, group chats and file transfers.

What is Kadu?

Kadu is a free, open-source instant messaging client developed for Linux, Windows and macOS operating systems. Originally released in 2007, Kadu aims to be a lightweight and highly customizable IM solution.

Some key features of Kadu include:

  • Supports major IM protocols like Jabber/XMPP, Gadu-Gadu, Facebook Messenger, IRC, Telegram, and more
  • Encrypted messaging using OpenSSL to keep chats private
  • Tabbed chat windows and conversation history
  • Group chat capabilities
  • File transfers, SMS messaging support
  • Audio/video calls via third-party plugins
  • Customizable themes and plugins
  • Available in multiple languages

While lacking some bells and whistles of larger clients, Kadu excels in efficiency, flexibility and customizability. Its plugin system allows power users to expand functionality for individual needs. For those seeking a versatile open-source IM option for daily messaging, Kadu is a solid choice.

The Best Kadu Alternatives

Top Apps like Kadu

Thunderbird, Facebook Messenger, Pidgin, Adium, IM+, Miranda NG, Gajim, Messenger Kids, Messenger for Desktop, Psi+, WTW, qutIM, Kaidan are some alternatives to Kadu.

Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a feature-rich and open-source email client that serves as a personal information manager. Developed by the Mozilla Foundation, the same organization behind the Firefox web browser, Thunderbird is designed to provide a user-friendly and customizable experience for managing email, contacts, calendars, and more. Key Features: Email Management...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Miranda NG

Miranda NG is a free, open source multi-protocol instant messaging client for the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is designed to be very light-weight and customizable, while still offering a rich feature set out of the box. Miranda NG is a continuation and revival of the original Miranda IM project...

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...

Messenger Kids

Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app created by Facebook and aimed at children under 13 years of age. It comes with a range of parental controls allowing parents to limit who their children can talk to and what content they can access.Some key features of Messenger Kids...

Messenger for Desktop

Messenger for Desktop is a free desktop application created by Facebook to provide access to the Messenger platform on computers. It allows users to carry out conversations, group chats, calls, and video chats on the Messenger network without needing to log into Facebook or use the website.Some key features...

Psi+

Psi+ is a popular open-source instant messaging application available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It supports a wide range of messaging protocols out of the box including XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Telegram, and more. Some key features of Psi+ include:Supports connecting to multiple accounts simultaneously across different protocolsOffers tabbed chat...

WTW

WTW is a flexible workflow and task management application designed to help teams work more efficiently on projects and tasks. It provides a variety of features to manage workflows, collaborate effectively, track time and activities, organize information, and generate insightful reports.With customizable workflows, WTW allows teams to model any...

QutIM

qutIM is a free and open-source instant messaging client originally developed for Linux operating systems. It supports multiple popular IM protocols and services including ICQ, XMPP (Jabber), Mail.Ru Agent, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, VKontakte (VK) and others.Some key features of qutIM include:Support for many different IM networks and...

Kaidan

Kaidan is an open-source, lightweight XMPP/Jabber client for mobile devices running Linux-based operating systems such as Ubuntu Touch, Sailfish OS, and Plasma Mobile. It is written in Qt/QML and designed to provide a fast, secure, and easy-to-use native messaging experience.Some of the key features of Kaidan include...