Free and open first

Best Instant Messaging Software in 2026

30 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Rocket.Chat
by Rocket.Chat
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

Rocket.Chat offers core messaging features on a free plan, with named options describing additional deployment and administrative choices.

8.9 Free plan Visit site
2

SimpleX Chat

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+4

SimpleX Chat pairs identifier-free network design with messaging, groups, and calls across mobile and desktop platforms.

8.8 Free plan Visit site
3

Zulip
by Zulip
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

Zulip provides channel-based team chat across common desktop and mobile platforms, with guest access and numerous listed integrations.

8.5 Free plan · paid from $3.50/user/mo Visit site
4

Beeper

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

Beeper centralizes many messaging services across major desktop and mobile systems, with free and paid account limits.

7.7 Free plan · paid from $9.99/mo Visit site
5

Briar

Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

Pick Briar for free, open-source messaging with device-to-device synchronization, offline connections, and default end-to-end encryption.

7.7 Free plan Visit site
6

Chanty
by Chanty
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

Choose Chanty if your team wants chat, task management, calls, and integrations in one tool, with a free plan for up to five members.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo (annual) Visit site
7

Discord
by Discord
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

Discord combines community servers with voice, video, and text communication across desktop, mobile, and web. Its call encryption does not extend to messages.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $2.99/user/mo Visit site
8

Element
by Element
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

Element combines broad platform availability, guest access and unlimited message history. Its self-hosted option and integrations may appeal to organizations, while plan prices are not listed.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
9

Flock
by Flock
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+4

Flock offers a free entry point and plan descriptions for different team sizes, alongside a broad integration list and multiple platform options.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $4.50/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
10

imo

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

imo combines messaging, internet calls and large-group features across several platforms at no charge.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
11

JANDI
by JANDI
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

JANDI combines workplace messaging with meetings, file storage, integrations, and administrative controls.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
12

Microsoft Teams
by Microsoft Teams
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Teams covers messaging, calls, and meetings across platforms, with a free plan and business options that list expanded meeting and support features.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
13

Pumble

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

Pumble covers team messaging, file sharing, and meetings, with unlimited message history on the free plan.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $2.49/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
14

Session

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

Session offers private messaging across mobile and desktop, with a free plan and a $2.99 USD monthly Pro option.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $2.99/mo Visit site
15

Signal

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

Signal covers everyday messaging, file sharing and voice or video calls, with encryption and group controls. Keep the phone-registration and desktop setup requirements in mind.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $1.99/mo Visit site
16

Slack

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Slack combines channel conversations, app integrations, automation and built-in AI features across a wide range of platforms.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $7.25/user/mo (annual) Visit site
17

Conversations

Free plan Android

Conversations offers encrypted, federated messaging with broad media and calling support. Server compatibility and the Android-only platform are the main practical considerations.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
18

Telegram

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

Telegram offers messaging, large groups and channels, calls, and developer tools across several platforms.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
19

Troop Messenger
by Troop Messenger
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Troop Messenger offers team messaging across desktop and mobile platforms, with guest access and several listed integrations.

7.1 From $2.50/user/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
20

Monal

Free plan iPhoneMac

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.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
21

Twist

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Choose Twist if your team wants channel-based messaging, guest access, and apps across desktop and mobile platforms.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $6/user/mo (annual) Visit site
22

Viber

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

Choose Viber for free messaging and calls with other Viber users, device syncing, and Communities that can have unlimited members.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
23

Wire
by Wire
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Wire brings messaging, conferencing and file collaboration together, with deployment choices that include offline or air-gapped on-premises environments.

7.0 Free plan · paid from €7.45/user/mo (annual) Visit site
24

KakaoTalk

Free plan AndroidMacWindows

6.4 Free plan Visit site
25

Messenger

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

6.3 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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