In today's fast-paced digital world, security and anonymity are more than just important—they’re essential. As we become increasingly aware of the potential risks with mainstream messaging apps, finding a reliable way to chat that respects your privacy is a must. Enter XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) clients. These can be a game-changer for secure communication. In this article, we'll dive into some top XMPP clients across different platforms and assess them based on their support for encryption and whether their source code is open.
Why Choosing the Right XMPP Client Matters
When it comes to communication, security and anonymity are key. XMPP clients vary widely in terms of encryption support and code transparency. For instance, support for OTR (Off-the-Record Messaging), PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), and OMEMO (OMEMO Encryption) can protect your messages from unauthorized access and ensure anonymous chats. The openness of the source code is another crucial factor because it allows independent experts to review and improve the client’s security.
Let’s take a look at the table below to find the perfect XMPP client based on your platform and needs.
| Client | Platform | OTR/PGP/OMEMO Support | Open Source? | Source Code Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adium | macOS | OTR - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| AstraChat | Android / iOS / Linux / macOS / Windows | - | Closed | - |
| BeagleIM | macOS | OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Bruno the Jabber™ | Android | - | Based on open-source yaxim | - |
| ChatSecure | iOS | OTR - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Conversations | Android | OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Converse | Browser | - | Open | GitHub |
| Dino | Linux | PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| eM Client | macOS / Windows | - | Closed (mixed code repo) | - |
| eyeCU | Linux / Other / Windows | - | Open (mirror available) | GitHub |
| Gajim | Linux / Windows | PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| IM+ | iOS / macOS | - | Closed | - |
| JSXC | Browser | OTR - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Kaidan | Android / Linux / macOS / Other / Windows | - | Open | GitHub |
| Kopete | Linux | OTR - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| mcabber | Other | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Miranda NG | Windows | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Monal IM | iOS / macOS | - | Open | GitHub |
| monocles chat | Android | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | Codeberg F-Droid |
| Movim | Android / Browser / Linux / macOS / Windows | - | Open | GitHub |
| Mozilla Thunderbird | Linux / macOS / Windows | - | Open | Mozilla Archive |
| Pidgin | Linux / macOS / Windows | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes | Open | Bitbucket |
| Poezio | Linux / macOS | OTR - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub Lab |
| Profanity | Linux / macOS / Windows | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Psi | Linux / macOS / Windows | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Psi+ | Linux / macOS / Windows | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Pàdé | Browser | - | Open | GitHub |
| Salut à Toi | Android / Browser / Linux / Other | OTR - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | Salut à Toi |
| Simple IoT Client | Windows | - | Open | GitHub |
| SiskinIM | iOS | OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| StorkIM (Tigase Messenger for Android) | Android | OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Swift | Linux / macOS / Windows | - | Open | Swift |
| Trillian | Android / Browser / iOS / Linux / macOS / Windows | OTR - Yes | Closed | - |
| UWPX | Windows | OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
| Wime | Linux / macOS / Windows | OTR - Yes | Closed | - |
| Xabber | Android / Browser / iOS | OTR - Yes, PGP - Yes | Open | GitHub GitHub |
| yaxim | Android | - | Open | GitHub |
| Zom | Android / iOS | OTR - Yes, OMEMO - Yes | Open | GitHub |
This list will help you navigate the world of XMPP clients and find the one that best fits your needs for security and convenience. Remember, each client has its unique features, so your choice will depend on what matters most to you: encryption support, code openness, or platform compatibility.