Top Instant Messengers

Digsby (Windows)

The youngest application by far to make the Hive Five, Digsby has taken the world by storm since we first mentioned it in February. Boasting integration with all of your IM networks as well as your email and social networking (Facebook and MySpace included), Digsby is converting new users left and right with their simple but appealing formula: IM + Email + Social Networking = Digsby. Currently a Windows only app, Digsby's developers promise that Mac and Linux versions are in the oven—and that they're constantly squashing bugs from the still-young Windows version.

Pidgin (Windows/Linux)

Formerly known as Gaim, this cross-platform, open source IM client has a huge following on both Windows and Linux platforms, estimating over 3 million users in 2007. Much like Firefox, Pidgin is open and extensible, meaning you can add your own improved functionality and tools to Pidgin by simply installing a plug-in.

Meebo (Web)

By far the most popular web-based chat application, Meebo boasts support for all popular chat networks, video and voice chat, and even an iPhone interface. Meebo's main appeal is that it works wherever you are, no matter what operating system you're using, as long as you've got a web browser and an internet connection. Can't go wrong with that.

Adium (Mac OS X)

The overwhelming favorite chat app for OS X, Adium puts Apple's default IM application, iChat, to shame. Like Pidgin, Adium is highly customizable, extensible with plug-ins, and works across all your favorite IM networks. In fact, Adium is kind of like a brother from a different mother to Pidgin; it got its brain from Pidgin's daddy, libpurple, but its looks straight from the dangerous maiden that is OS X.

Trillian (Windows)

Once an overwhelming favorite for cross-network instant messaging, Trillian has lost a lot of users to newer apps like Digsby or fresher ones like Pidgin. That said, the long-awaited update to Trillian, Trillian Astra, is still in alpha, and those who have tried it continue to place all of their IM trust to Trillian. In the future, Trillian is also promising a Mac release along with an iPhone version, so it may have plenty of life in it yet.

For Ubuntu ====>

Ubuntu Linux is a free; open-source operating system based the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. However, many people do not prefer to use it because of the number of applications that are available for Ubuntu Linux, when compared with Windows and Mac. If you are a Ubuntu user and confused which instant messaging client you should use, I gathered a list of few excellent IM clients for Ubuntu Linux.

Here is a list of some best free instant messaging clients for Ubuntu Linux.

Pidgin:  Most of the people have used this client on Windows as well. It is the default instant messaging client that comes preinstalled with Ubuntu right now with support for over 17 different protocol services like Msn, Yahoo, Jabber, Google Talk and much more.

Kopete: Kopete is another multi-protocol instant messenger for Ubuntu Linux and supports AIM, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise Messenger, and more. Kopete also features tools to enhance your instant messaging experience, such as message encryption, archiving, and many other fun and useful effects.

Emesene: Emesene is an open source instant messaging client designed for use with Microsoft .NET Messenger service. It is a clone for Windows Live Messenger designed to work with Ubuntu Linux operating system. Its goal is to replicate the functions of the official Windows Live client in a simpler, cleaner and easier to use interface.

Empathy: Empathy is a messaging program which supports text, voice, and video chat and file transfers over many different protocols. You can tell it about your accounts on all those services and do all your chatting within one application. Empathy is a multi-protocol instant messaging client for Ubuntu Linux with support for Google Talk (Jabber/XMPP), MSN, IRC, Salut, AIM, Facebook, Yahoo!, Gadu Gadu, Groupwise, ICQ and QQ. (Supported protocols depend on installed Telepathy Connection Manager components.) Supports all protocols supported by Pidgin.


GYache Improved: GYache Improved is an excellent Yahoo! Instant messaging client for Ubuntu Linux. It supports almost all of the features you would expect to find on the official Windows Yahoo! client: Voice chat, webcams, faders, ‘nicknames’, audibles, avatars, display images, and more.


BitlBee: BitlBee is another excellent instant messaging IRC client. It’s a great solution for people who have an IRC client running all the time and don’t want to run an additional MSN/AIM/whatever client. BitlBee currently supports the following IM networks/protocols: XMPP/Jabber (including Google Talk), MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM and ICQ.

JabbIM: Jabbim is an Instant Messaging service. It allows you to send messages to your friends in almost-real time. Jabbim services are free of charge. JabbIM is an open protocol instant messaging client for Ubuntu Linux with support for Google Talk, LiveJournal Talk, Gizmo, and many other XMPP-enabled services and public Jabber servers.

Psi: Psi is free, lightweight, open source instant messaging client for Ubuntu Linux designed for Jabber IM network. Psi IM client support and localizations, easy file transfers, customizable iconsets, and many other great features.
If you know any other good IM client for Ubuntu Linux, please feel free to share with us.