Jabber client: the 5 best free programs
You can use Jabber or XMPP on all major operating systems with different clients. We searched the software stores for you and found the best free programs for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android.
Pidgin: Jabber client for Linux & Windows
Pidgin is available for both Windows and Linux. There is also a portable version.
- Practical: Pidgin not only supports Jabber / XMPP, but also numerous other chat networks such as ICQ, IRC or MSN.
- Secure: You can use the free OTR plug-in for Pidgin to communicate with your contacts in encrypted form.
- Alternative: Miranda is a multi-messenger client for Windows, for which an OTR plugin is also available. Empathy for Linux systems also supports numerous chat protocols - however, OTR encryption is not yet fully developed here.
Adium: Jabber client for Mac OS
Adium for Mac OS is very similar to Pidgin Messenger.
- Practical: The Jabber client supports as many chat protocols as Pidgin, such as ICQ, IRC and Google Talk. You can also use Twitter or Facebook chat with Adium.
- Secure: There is also an OTR plugin for Adium, through which you can communicate in encrypted form.
- Alternative: If you want, you can also use Pidgin for Mac. However, this is not supported natively and can be used via MacPorts packages, for example.
Xabber: Jabber client for Android smartphones
- Xabber is a pure Jabber / XMPP client for Android. The free app is an open source program.
- Practical: Pre-configured profiles are available for Facebook, LiveJournal and Google Talk, for example. This makes the set up particularly quick.
- Secure: The Android app supports Lagacy SSL, TLS and SASL. In addition, OTR connections are also possible - even without an additional plugin and only with on-board means. In addition, you can set up by default that the connection via Orbot runs over the Tor network.
- Alternative: ChatSecure from The Guardian Project has a similar range of functions to Xabber - OTR and Orbot are also supported.
ChatSecure: Jabber client for iPhone and iPad
- ChatSecure is a free open source app from The Guardian Project.
- Practical: the app is very user-friendly. With the Jabber client you connect to your Facebook, Google Talk, Oscar and of course Jabber account.
- Secure: The Jabber client is not only open source, but also supports TLS, OTR encryption and the connection via the Tor network.
- Alternative: With the free imo app you not only use Jabber / XMPP, but can even make video calls - for example via Skype. However, OTR encryption is not possible via this client.
If you do not have a Jabber account yet, we will help you to create one.