MCabber
MCabber is an open-source text-based multi-chat application designed for group communication. It supports multiple chat protocols including XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter, Telegram and more. MCabber is lightweight, customizable and offers features like chat logging, notifications, enc
MCabber: Open-Source Text-Based Multi-Chat Application
An open-source text-based multi-chat application supporting multiple protocols, customizable and featuring chat logging, notifications, encryption and themes.
What is MCabber?
MCabber is a free, open-source, text-based multi-chat application for Linux, BSD, and other UNIX-like operating systems. It is designed for efficient communication in chat rooms and group conversations across different chat protocols.
Some of the key features of MCabber include:
- Support for major chat protocols like XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter, Telegram and more using libpurple chat library
- Tabbed interface to connect to multiple chat accounts and join various chat rooms
- Fully customizable appearance with different color schemes, fonts, layouts using text UI
- Chat logging for keeping histories of conversations which can be searched later
- Notifications and highlight support to alert on messages from specific users
- Built-in OTR encryption for secure chats
- Automated away messages and chat room moderation abilities
- Extensibility through Python, Perl, Shell and more scripting languages
MCabber focuses on being a lightweight, responsive and scriptable chat client for power users. With its active development community and plugin ecosystem, it offers a highly customizable platform for communicating across today's chat networks.
MCabber Features
Features
- Text-based interface
- Supports multiple chat protocols like XMPP/Jabber, IRC, Twitter, Telegram
- Lightweight and low resource usage
- Highly customizable with scripting support
- Chat logging and search
- Encryption support
- Themes and color schemes
- Notifications and alerts
- Auto-reconnect
- Tabbed interface
- Plugin support
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Open source and free
Very lightweight and fast
Supports many popular chat protocols
Highly customizable
Active development community
Available for multiple platforms
Cons
Steep learning curve
No GUI - text-based only
Setup can be complex for beginners
Limited native features compared to GUI clients
Scripting required for advanced customization
Official Links
Reviews & Ratings
Login to ReviewThe Best MCabber Alternatives
View all MCabber alternatives with detailed comparison →
Top Social & Communications and Instant Messaging and other similar apps like MCabber
Here are some alternatives to MCabber:
Suggest an alternative ❐
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...
Coccinella
Coccinella is an open-source, cross-platform instant messaging client with a strong focus on privacy and security. It is designed for encrypted communications using end-to-end encryption protocols like OMEMO and OpenPGP to keep chats secure.Some of the key features of Coccinella include:End-to-end encrypted messaging using OMEMO and OpenPGP to ensure conversations...
Empathy
Empathy is a free and open source instant messaging client that is designed for the GNOME desktop environment. It supports many popular chat protocols out of the box, including XMPP/Jabber, Facebook Messenger, IRC, Telegram, and more.Empathy makes use of the Telepathy framework to providecapabilities like audio/video calls, file transfers, and...
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),...
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...
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 windows to...
Climm
climm is an open-source, free command line music player and library manager for Linux operating systems. It is designed to be lightweight, fast, and easy to use for managing and playing music directly in a terminal window.Some key features of climm include:Support for common audio formats like MP3, FLAC, WAV,...
Beagle IM
Beagle IM is an open-source, multi-platform instant messaging application. It was initially released in 2010 by a small group of developers looking to create a lightweight and customizable chat client.Some of the key features of Beagle IM include:Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux systemsBasic one-on-one and group text chatsFile transfers,...
CenterIM
CenterIM is a free, open-source instant messaging application for Windows that enables users to connect to multiple chat networks and services to communicate in real-time. It supports popular protocols such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, ICQ, AIM, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu and others.Some key features of CenterIM include:Intuitive and easy-to-use interfaceTabbed...
Ayttm
Ayttm is an open source, ad-free instant messaging client for Windows that supports connecting to many popular chat networks at once. It can connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ and other networks simultaneously through one easy-to-use interface.Key features of Ayttm include:Tabbed chat windows to easily switch between conversationsGroup chat capabilitiesCustom...
Naim
Naim is an open-source, cross-platform music player and media library manager developed by the Naim Developer Community. It is available for Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, and other Unix-like operating systems.Some key features of Naim include:Supports a wide range of audio formats including MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, and more.Organizes...
Tkabber
Tkabber is a free, open-source instant messaging application that uses the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). It works on Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems.As an XMPP client, Tkabber can connect to any XMPP server to access instant messaging services. It supports common IM features including one-on-one chats, group...
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...
