Hangouts Alternatives
Hangouts
Hangouts is a messaging app that lets you send and receive messages, photos and more, and even start free video and voice calls – one to one or with a group!
"Hangouts" are places used to facilitate group video chat (with a maximum of 10 people participating in a single Hangout at any point in time).
Within the 10 person limit participants may use voice only phones to dial in to the hangout instead of the desktop or mobile video chat feature.
On a desktop or laptop environment hangouts also contain the integration of group chat, Google document sharing, and synchronous viewing of YouTube videos.
Best Hangouts Alternatives
Need an alternative to Hangouts? Read on. We've looked at the best Hangouts alternatives available for Windows, Mac and Android.
Skype
FreemiumMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneBlackberryChrome OSWindows SAndroid TabletBSDWindows PhoneiPadAndroid WearPortableApps.comAn instant messaging app that provides online text message and video chat services.
Features:
- Share your screen
- Video calling
- Voice Call
- Video calling
- Exchange Integration
- Microsoft Office integration
- Video chat
- Video Conferencing
- Chat
- Group Messaging
- IFTTT integration
- Messaging
- Video calling
- Video chat
- Voice chat
- Voice messages
Pidgin
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSDPortableApps.comXfcePidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more chat networks all at once. It has built-in...
Features:
- Support for Multiple protocols
- Support for Multiple protocols
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- IRC
- Plugins
- Supports XMPP
- Chat
- Messaging
- Multiple languages
- Multiple Account support
- Multiple chat protocols
- Portable
- Video calling
- Voice Call
- Xmpp
Telegram
FreeMacWindowsLinuxWebWindows MobileAndroidiPhoneBlackberryAndroid TabletBSDWindows PhoneiPadApple WatchAndroid WearPortableApps.comHaikuFreeBSDTelegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
Features:
- Stickers
- Chat Bot
- Lightweight
- Cloud sync
- Encrypted chat
- End-to-End Encryption
- Channels
- Integrated File Sharing
- Secret chats
- Ad-free
- Bots
- Night mode/Dark Theme
- Privacy focused
- Large File Transfer
- Animated stickers
- Group chat
- Multi Device Support
- Persistent History
- Public groups chat
- Security & Privacy
- Security focused
- Voice Call
- Auto-delete
- Chat
- Cloud based
- Custom Backgrounds
- Custom themes
- Customizable Themes
- Data-encryption
- Encrypted calls
- Instant view
- Portable
- Private Chat
- Switching between platform
- Sync across Devices
- Anonymous groups
- Anonymous Secure Filesharing
- Built-in Photo editor
- Chat history
- Chat organizer
- Sync Contacts
- Encrypted VoIP calls
- Encryption
- File transfer
- Folders
- Free Speech
- GPS Location Tracking
- IFTTT integration
- In-Game Overlay
- Integrated File Sharing
- Messages in cloud
- Messaging
- Multiple languages
- Multiple Account support
- Works Offline
- Based on phone number
- Photo Sharing
- Private messaging
- Progressive Web App
- Push to talk
- Scheduled messages
- Search by tags
- Self destructing messages
- Share Videos
- Support for Themes
- Two factor authentication
- Voice chat
- Voice messages
Slack
FreemiumMacWindowsLinuxAndroidiPhoneChrome OSAndroid TabletiPadElectron / Atom ShellSoftware as a Service (SaaS)Real-time messaging, archiving and search for modern teams to stay focused and productive.
Features:
- Group chat
- Group collaboration
- Multi Channel
- Team Collaboration
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Channels
- Electron based
- Support for @mentions
- App integration
- Channel manager
- Direct file uploading
- HIPAA compliant
- IFTTT integration
- Integrated File Sharing
- Live Push Notifications
- Multiple channels
- Multiple teams
- Onboarding
- Out Of The Box
- Reactions
- Real time collaboration
- Team work
- Video calling
- Video chat
- Voice Call
With WhatsApp, you'll get fast, simple, secure messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.
Features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Custom Backgrounds
- Forums
- Group chat
- Mobile friendly
- Stickers
- Chat
- Encrypted chat
- Integrated File Sharing
- Messaging
- Based on phone number
- Video calling
- Voice chat
- Voice messages
Discord
FreemiumMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneChrome OSBSDiPadElectron / Atom ShellFreeBSDAll-in-one voice, video and text chat for gamers that’s free, secure, and works on both your desktop and phone.
Features:
- Voice Call
- Ad-free
- Chat Bot
- Group chat
- Share your screen
- Text chat
- Video calling
- Voice chat
- Push to talk
- Video chat
- Multi Channel
- Public groups chat
- Bots
- Custom roles
- Direct Messaging
- Encrypted chat
- Group Voice Chat
- Low Latency
- Multiple Servers
- Reactions
- Share content
- Social & Communications
- Text to Speech
- Voice channels
- Camera capturing
- Channel manager
- Community based
- Custom Smileys
- Dedicated Server Hosting
- Development API
- Electron based
- Gaming-focused
- Gui
- Group Messaging
- In-app server browser
- In-Game Overlay
- Integrated Chat
- Integrated File Sharing
- Interface Overlay
- Lightweight
- Low bandwidth usage
- Low memory usage
- Multi-platform support
- Night mode/Dark Theme
- Noise Reduction
- Permission system
- Persistent Chat
- Photo Sharing
- Positional audio
- Responsive design
- Role-based security access
- Share your screen
- Single Sign-On
- Team Collaboration
- Voice chat
- Webcam overlays
- Youtube Gaming Integration
Signal
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletiPadChromeUbuntu TouchTextSecure and RedPhone have been merged to create Signal! Using Signal, you can communicate instantly while avoiding SMS fees, create groups so that you can chat in...
Features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Encrypted chat
- Security focused
- Privacy-friendly
- Encrypted Connection
- Security & Privacy
- Self destructing messages
- Video calling
- Ad-free
- Client side encryption
- Electron based
- Encrypted calls
- Encrypted VoIP calls
- Forward Secrecy
- Night mode/Dark Theme
- Privacy focused
- SMS Messaging
- Video calling
- Voice Call
- Chat
- Color coding
- Group chat
- Group Messaging
- Integrated File Sharing
- Mobile friendly
- Works Offline
- Protected by Password
- Based on phone number
- Private messaging
- File Sending
- Voice chat
- Voice messages
Tox
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxAndroidAndroid TabletBSDSend messages, files, create groups and make Tox to Tox audio and video calls. Securely.
Features:
- Decentralized
- Encrypted chat
- Peer-To-Peer
- Privacy focused
- End-to-End Encryption
- Built-in player
- Share your screen
- Security focused
- Video calling
- Ad-free
- Anonymity
- Anonymous Secure Filesharing
- Client side encryption
- Decentralisation
- GPLv3
- Group chat
- P2P Network
- Peer-To-Peer
- Point-to-point encryption
- Secure Chat
- Video calling
- Video chat
- Video Conferencing
- Voice Call
- White-labeled
Jitsi
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletBSDiPadJitsi (previously SIP Communicator) is an audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption that supports protocols such as SIP, XMPP/Jabber, ICQ/AIM, Windows Live...
Features:
- SIP
- Video Conferencing
- Security & Privacy
- Privacy-friendly
- Browser based
- Chat
- Cross-platform
- Desktop Sharing
- File sharing
- Group chat
- iPhone/iPod sync
- Live Meeting
- Support for Multiple protocols
- Multiple Account support
- No download
- No installation required
- No Login Required
- OTR
- Plugins
- Privacy focused
- Share your screen
- SIP
- Softphone
- Unlimited users
- Video calling
- Video chat
- Video Conferencing
- Voice chat
- WebRTC
- Xmpp
Viber
FreemiumMacWindowsLinuxAndroidiPhoneWindows SAndroid TabletWindows PhoneiPadBlackberry 10Apple WatchViber is a mobile application that lets you make free phone calls and send text messages to anyone who also has the application installed. .
Features:
- Animated stickers
- Call Transfer
- Desktop Sharing
- Group chat
- Hidden chat
- Multiple languages
- Phone calls
- Push to talk
- Secret chats
- Video calling
- Voice Call
- Voice chat
Riot.im
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletiPadSelf-HostedA free instant messaging and collaboration software based on the Matrix protocol.
Features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Decentralized
- Group chat
- Security & Privacy
- Team Collaboration
- Federated
- Privacy-friendly
- Video chat
- Video calling
- Voice Call
- Add-ons
- Clean design
- Custom widgets
- Direct Messaging
- Encrypted chat
- Group collaboration
- Matrix.org protocol
- Message redaction
- Mobile friendly
- Moderation tools
- Per-room avatars
- Privacy focused
- Read receipts
- Text chat
- Typing notifications
- User Management
- User mentions
- Video/Audio Calling
- Voice chat
- Web Integaration
- Chat Bot
- Community based
- DRM Free
- GitHub integration
- Integrated File Sharing
- Live Chat
- MarkDown support
- Real time collaboration
- File Sending
- Server Moderation
- Server side history
- Slack integration
- Social network
- Video calling
- Voice chat
- Web-Based
Wire
FreemiumOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletiPadSelf-HostedSoftware as a Service (SaaS)Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most...
Features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Security focused
- Encrypted chat
- Video calling
- Voice Call
- Encrypted calls
- Encryption
- Group chat
- Share your screen
- Security & Privacy
- Anonymity
- Integrated File Sharing
- Multiple Account support
- Photo Sharing
- Privacy focused
- Privacy Protected
- Private Chat
- Secure Chat
- Secure File Sharing
- File Sending
- Video calling
- Video chat
- Voice chat
- Voice messages
- WebRTC
Facebook Messenger
FreeWindowsWebAndroidiPhoneBlackberryWindows SAndroid TabletWindows PhoneiPadApple WatchAndroid WearFacebook Messenger is a faster way to message. Reach friends right on their phones, get and send messages fast, message everyone at once and more. Top Features: •...
Features:
- Group chat
- Chat
- In-app Money Transfer
- Messaging
- Private messaging
- Video calling
- Voice Call
Matrix.org
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletiPadSelf-HostedWebRTCPythonJavaScriptGo (Programming Language)JavaPerlMatrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of...
Features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Chat
- Decentralized
- Random video chat
- Voice chat
- Chat Bot
- Distributed
- Encrypted chat
- Group chat
- Messaging
- Real time collaboration
- Server side history
- Team Collaboration
- Voice Call
- WebRTC
Zulip
Free PersonalOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxWebAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletBSDiPadSelf-HostedZulip is a group chat app in which messages are threaded by topic, helping you have long-running, organized conversations. Zulip's threading makes it easy for people...
Features:
- Threaded Conversations
- Group collaboration
- Chat Bot
- Chat organizer
- Community based
- GitHub integration
- Group chat
- Integrated File Sharing
- Live topics
- MarkDown support
- Secure Chat
- Self-hosted in intranet or private cloud
- Team Collaboration
- Todos
Jami
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletiPadVoice, video and chat communications, secure, decentralized, strong privacy and freedoms.
Features:
- File sharing
- Decentralized
- File transfer
- SIP client
- Team messaging
- Distributed
- End-to-End Encryption
- Intercom Support
- Messaging
- Multiple languages
- Peer-To-Peer
- Privacy focused
- Privacy-friendly
- Share your screen
- SIP
- Video calling
- Video chat
- Video Conferencing
- Voice chat
Jitsi Meet
FreeOpen SourceWebAndroidiPhoneAndroid TabletiPadSelf-HostedApple WatchGo ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can...
Features:
- No registration required
- Browser based
- Video streaming
- Audio Calling
- Share your screen
- Security & Privacy
- Stream audio
- Video chat
- Video Conferencing
- WebRTC
- Audio Chat
- Collaborative writing
- Conference Bridging
- Encrypted chat
- FLOSS
- Group chat
- Lightweight in network
- Live Broadcasting
- Live editing
- Peer-To-Peer
- Share your screen
- Security focused
- Self-hosted in intranet or private cloud
- Unlimited users
- Video calling
Rambox
FreemiumOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxFree, open source and cross platform messaging and emailing app that combines common web applications into one.
Features:
- Web application wrapper
- Multi-messenger
- Support for Multiple protocols
- Built-in themes
- Configurable
- JavaScript Rendering
- Multi Channel
- Multiple Account support
- Portable
- Publish on LinkedIn
- Skype integration
- Slack integration
- Telegram
Franz
FreemiumMacWindowsLinuxFranz is a free messaging app / former Emperor of Austria and combines chat & messaging services into one application. Franz currently supports Slack, WhatsApp...
Features:
- Support for Multiple protocols
- Unified messaging
- Whatsapp integration
- Gitter integration
- Gmail integration
- iPhone/iPod sync
- Lightweight wrapper
- Multi-messenger
- Multiple Account support
- Slack client
- Slack integration
- Web application wrapper
Conversations
FreeOpen SourceAndroidAndroid TabletConversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG]. ...
Features:
- Decentralized
- End-to-End Encryption
- Encrypted chat
- Picture sharing
- Encrypted Connection
- Chat Bot
- Gpg encryption
- Group chat
- Group Messaging
- Intuitive Interface
- OTR
- Self destructing messages
- Audio Chat
- Chat
- Federated
- File sharing
- Messaging
- OMEMO
- Public groups chat
- Secure Chat
- Security & Privacy
- Xmpp
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