There are more and more ways to get your instant messaging done, with a large number of new online and offline clients from third parties. With so many instant messaging options, it’s hard to figure out which one to use. Below, we’ve listed a large number of online and offline instant messengers, as well the various protocols supported by each, so that you can more easily find the one that’s right for you. There’s really not all that much difference between each except in interface and supported protocols. The best option for you will likely be the one that supports the networks your friends connect to and has an interface that you feel comfortable using. If there are any we’ve missed, please mention them in the comments. (Note: we did not link to any official offline clients.)
Online Clients
Name: Meebo
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber
Name: FlickIM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber
Name: Kool IM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Gadu-Gadu, Xfire
Name: eBuddy
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, MySpace
Name: ILoveIM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, webcams/video chat
Name: RadiusIM
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk
Name:Imo.im
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk
Name: Mabber
Supports: Proprietary Jabber-based (aimed at mobiles)
Name: IMUnitive
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, gim (proprietary)
Name: Snimmer
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber
Name: EasyMessenger
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, Jabber
Name: MessengerFX
Supports: MSN
Name: IMhaha
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, QQ
Name: Google Talk
Supports: GTalk, Jabber
Name: Yahoo! Web Messenger (web.im)
Supports: Yahoo!, MSN
Name: MSN Web Messenger
Supports: Yahoo!, MSN
Name: AIM Express
Supports: AIM
Name: ICQ2Go
Supports: ICQ
Name: JWChat – Jabber Web Chat
Supports: Jabber
Name: Trillian Astra (closed alpha)
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, MySpace, iChat
Offline Clients
Name: Trillian
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, IRC
Platforms: Windows
Name: Pidgin
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, QQ, MySpace, iChat, IRC, Lotus, Novell
Platforms: Windows, UNIX
Name: Adium
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, QQ, iChat, Lotus, Novell, LiveJournal
Platforms: Mac OS X
Name: AirTalker
Supports: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber, MySpace, Friendster, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, blogging
Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X (via Adobe AIR), also has web version
Name: Miranda IM
Supports: AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, IAX, Tlen, Netsend
Platforms: Windows
