Multi Protocol Instant Messaging Clients
Today we digg into All-In-One Messengers (aka multi-protocol Instant Messaging clients), these handy apps merge several messenger platforms (AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber…) into one messenger.
We got it all covered: web-based ones (to access from work or school), desktop downloadables and for mobile devices.
Online Instant Messengers
Meebo (AIM, Yahoo, MSN, GoogleTalk, ICQ, Jabber) - Lets you access multiple IM accounts simultaneously. Registration isn’t required, however if you sign-up (free) you will be able to:
- sign into all of your IM screen names using a single meebo login
- save your preferences (i.e. sounds and appearances)
- save your conversations in meebo chat logs
KoolIM (AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber) - Quite similar to Meebo. You can login to several IM accounts at once either by entering login details for each of them, or use a single Koolim ID (sign-up required).
eBuddy (MSN, Yahoo, AIM) - Unlike the above two, with eBuddy you can to login to only one IM application at a time.
ILoveIM (MSN, Google Talk, AOL, Yahoo) - Same thing here, only one IM application at a time.
Multi Protocol Instant Messengers for Desktops
Trillian [Windows] - AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo and IRC
Miranda IM [Windows] - AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, IRC, Gadu-Gadu, IAX, Netsend, Tlen ….
Gaim [Linux, BSD, Mac, Windows] - AIM, ICQ , MSN, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, Novell GroupWise, Lotus Sametime, Zephyr
Adium [Mac] - AIM, ICQ , MSN, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Novell GroupWise, Lotus, Bonjour, QQ, Gadu-Gadu, Google Talk
Kopete [Linux] - AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, IRC, Gadu-Gadu and Novell GroupWise
Qnext [Windows, Mac, Linux] - ICQ, MSN, Yahoo and AIM
Instan-t Express [Windows] - MSN, AOL, ICQ, and Yahoo
Multi Protocol Instant Messaging Cleints for Mobile Phones
JimmyIM - Brings MSN Messenger, GoogleTalk / Jabber, Yahoo and ICQ to your mobile phone.
Yiego - Chat with your contacts on GoogleTalk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ and Jabber.
Fring - Chat and Talk with Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, ICQ, and Twitter contacts from your mobile for FREE.
eBuddy (MSN, Yahoo, AIM) - accessible online.
Mabber (AIM, ICQ, MSN,Yahoo!,Jabber) - requires download
Eqo (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk, Skype) - requires download
Nimbuzz (MSN, Life Messenger, Google Talk) - requires download




Don’t forget Miranda IM - perhaps the best IM out there..
Thanks for the tip, it’s on the list.
I quit using Trillian because it was getting bloated (I was using an older pc with a small HD, and dialup). I found that Miranda worked better on that old setup, and I’ve continued using it after finally stepping into this century. The NT/XP version is 1.1mb.
I remember having to copy the Jabber file, rename it to GTalk, then something else probably, but now my Miranda has Jabber and GTalk both. Of course it has Aim, ICQ, Yahoo, MSM, and IRC.
http://www.miranda-im.org/
HA, I notice it’s included in the list after submitting my former comment, Jinx!
Anybody else getting a warning about a trojan when attempting to instal Universal Messenger Plus?
(NOD32 reports it as TrojanDownloader.1stBar.NAU.)
What about GAIM [gaim.sf.net]. It supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM, Gtalk [via jabber], IRC and ICQ
heavylight@
Thanks for alert. Neither my firewall nor Antivirus detected it. I checked it with some other tools and seems you’re right
It is off the list now.
gaim?!? come on what about gaim!?!
Don’t forget about Jabber & transports. If you have a Jabber host that provides support for the various transports, then all you have to is enter the login information for each service, and use an appropriate Jabber client (iChat, Adium, Trillian).
Yeah Kaly, WTF? where is Gaim
btw Josh, good point.
good
For the Mac, the only IM worth using is Adium, at adiumx.com
Great post,
KoolIM allows you to access Instant Messenger at work or school. Check out the KoolIM Web Messenger
You can access MSN web Messenger and Web MSN
You can access AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo and other web messengers directly from your web browser.
hola
thanks…very usefull indeed
FYI About GAIM, new versio is called Pidgin
more info http://www.pidgin.im/
hi at school alot of the web based messengers for msn are blocked ones like http://www.koolim.com nd iloveim.com all the well known ones does ne one know some more that arnt so well known so they wont be blocked
i would love to know too please!!
everytime i find a new one .. the program people block it at my house
we have this really strict program called “webshield” at home for my brother’s sake .. unfortunately ‘for his sake’ hinders me
please email me if you have any brand new/incredibly unknown web based web based msn messengers .. THANKYOU
(they just blocked my latest find, flick.im :Z)
Hmmm, not sure what to suggest, you can also try imo.im
(Comments wont nest below this level)if you have all webmessengers blocked you can try MINGLEWORLD which i always use
hi all
atlast only flick.im is working , iam woried tht if they block tht one too?wat to do?can any one sugest?
try imo.im. It’s relatively unknown, high chance it won’t be blocked.
As Pingback wrote, Gaim is Pidgin now (http://pidgin.im/)
To use multi protocoll web IM site, have a look at http://meboo.com/
The best Jabber-client I have tried is Gajim, . Simply the best Jabber kient there is. Much better Jabber-klient than Pidgin (which sucks when it comes to Jabber).
To chat with others who has not seen the light, you can always use a Jabber Transport that transports chat to other protocols, like MSN, ICQ, IRQ, etc…
To use in mobile phones that have Java, I use Bombus, http://bombus-im.org/. Great software, but site in Russian :(. But links still in english
http://www.bombus-im.org/index.php?page=download
I’m surprised FRING ( http://www.fring.com ) wasn’t mentioned. It kicks a$$ for mobile use and it’s free. I have a Nokia E61i and use it to talk to my family overseas via skype, msn, yahoo or google talk. It is also compatible with some other ones I do not use. The sound quality is great, espcially on fring to fring calls. If you have an unlimitted data plan it is a great way to make free phone calls with the conformt of a mobile phone.
Is there any of these amazing tools working together with skype?
Does any of them support “messaging from the web”?
What do I mean?
I want to receive an IM if somebody visits a very special page (like a “Contact us” page). It has to be an IM, I don´t need any database recording, nor an email, I HAVE TO know that someone is there immediately.
Any solution?
Thanks