Monal

Free plan iPhoneMac

What Monal is

Monal is a free XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS. XMPP is an open, standardized protocol that lets people choose an account provider, host servers, and communicate across services. Monal supports private and group messaging, message history, archiving, voice messages, and disappearing messages. Its features page lists OMEMO encryption for private and group chats. Audio and video calls are supported, as are file, video, and image uploads through HTTP Upload. Users can run one or multiple XMPP accounts. The makers say Monal does not sell or track information for external parties. Push servers receive the XMPP domain and device push token, but reportedly not message contents or chat-partner information. With fallback STUN or TURN servers, caller and contact IP addresses and call duration may be visible, while call contents remain end-to-end encrypted. Device logs may contain raw XMPP stanzas and decrypted messages unless explicitly sent. Monal began in 2002 as a SworIM fork and is headquartered in Bürstadt, Germany.

Who it suits

Monal suits iOS and macOS users who want XMPP messaging with account-provider choice, calls, uploads, and group communication. It may appeal to people who prefer a volunteer-developed, non-commercial project.

What it does well

Free iOS and macOS client
Private and group messaging
Audio and video calls
OMEMO encryption listed for private and group chats
Supports multiple XMPP accounts

What to know first

Fallback servers may see IP addresses and call duration
Device logs can contain decrypted message contents
Volunteer project asks users for donations

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Monal	iOS and macOS XMPP chat client	Free

As monal-im.org lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Monal provides broad XMPP messaging and calling features without a listed charge. Privacy details vary by function, especially fallback call servers and locally stored logs.

Facts from Monal's own pages

Account choice: Users can choose their XMPP account provider and can use one or multiple accounts. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Call privacy: When Monal fallback STUN or TURN servers are used, the policy says the service may see caller and contact IP addresses and call duration, but not call contents because they are end-to-end encrypted. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Calls and files: It supports audio and video calls and file, video, and image uploads using HTTP Upload. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Development: Monal is a volunteer-developed, non-commercial project that asks users for donations to support service costs and development. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Encryption: The features page lists encrypted private and group chats using OMEMO encryption. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Founded: 2002 · monal-im.org, 28 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Bürstadt, Germany · monal-im.org, 28 Sept 2026
Local logs: The privacy policy says device logs can contain raw XMPP stanzas and decrypted message contents, and are not transferred unless the user explicitly sends them. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Messaging: It supports private and group messaging, message history, archiving, and voice messaging. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Network: It uses the open, standardized XMPP protocol, which allows anyone to host a server and communicate across services. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Origin: The About page says Monal originated in 2002 as a fork of the SworIM app. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Platforms: The install page lists stable and beta downloads for iOS and macOS, plus macOS Homebrew installation. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Privacy: The makers say Monal does not sell or track information for external parties. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Product: Monal is an XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Push data: For push notifications, Monal says its servers receive the XMPP domain and a device push token, and that they do not see message contents or know whom users chat with. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026
Support: Support is available through an XMPP group chat, GitHub issues, and email. · monal-im.org, 8 Oct 2026