The Best Instant Messaging Software in 2026
We researched instant messaging software using vendors’ official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features, helping buyers compare tools for real-time one-to-one and group conversations.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
WhatsApp#1 of 329.4/10A free, cross-platform messenger for personal chats, calls, groups, and sharing.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Telegram#2 of 329.3/10A free, cloud-synced messenger built for large groups and access across devices.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Signal#3 of 329.2/10Private, free messaging with encrypted calls and an optional paid media backup tier.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 32 tools, best first
-
Best forBroad personal messaging and calling
A free, cross-platform messenger for personal chats, calls, groups, and sharing.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit WhatsApp -
Best forLarge communities and multi-device chat
A free, cloud-synced messenger built for large groups and access across devices.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Telegram -
Best forPrivacy-focused everyday messaging
Private, free messaging with encrypted calls and an optional paid media backup tier.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forCommunity chat, voice and streaming
A flexible community chat platform with free voice, video, text, and streaming.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Discord -
Best forOrganizations needing integrated team chat
A broad collaboration suite for organizations already invested in Microsoft services.
- Guest access
9.0/10★★★★☆Try Microsoft Teams -
Best forTeams coordinating work across connected tools
Channels, messaging, huddles and integrations connect workplace collaboration in one service.
- Guest access
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Slack -
Best forOrganizations needing sovereign messaging
Encrypted Matrix messaging for teams that need control over deployment and data.
- Guest access
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Element -
Best forOpen-source team messaging with automation
A flexible messaging hub for technical teams that need self-hosting and automation.
- Guest access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Mattermost -
Best forTeams that want control over chat deployment
Open-source team chat with flexible hosting, guest access, and searchable discussions.
- Guest access
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Rocket.Chat -
Best forFree encrypted personal and group chat
A free, cross-device chat app with encrypted private messaging and 250-member groups.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Viber -
Best forOrganizations prioritizing secure communications
Encrypted communication with guest access, administration, and self-hosted options.
- Guest access
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Wire -
Best forTeams that want threaded chat or self-hosting
Topic-based threads keep team conversations organized, with cloud and self-hosted options.
- Guest access
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Zulip -
Best forPeople who want private messaging without a subscription
A one-time-purchase messaging app with encrypted calls, groups, backups, and desktop access.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Threema -
Best forEstablished cross-device messaging in China
Free messaging, calls and file transfers with Qzone sharing and group chat summaries.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Tencent QQ -
Best forPeople who need private, serverless messaging
Free, serverless messaging with broad connection options and a stronger Android feature set.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Briar -
Best forPeople seeking identifier-free private communication
Private messaging with encrypted calls and files, available free across desktop and mobile.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forPrivate anonymous messaging with calls
A free, open-source messenger focused on pseudonymous, encrypted chats and onion-routed delivery.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Session -
Best forAndroid users on XMPP
A focused Android XMPP client with end-to-end encryption and encrypted calls.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Conversations -
Best forTeams wanting chat plus lightweight work tools
Flock combines team chat, calls, tasks, and integrations across web and mobile.
- Guest access
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Flock -
Best forBudget team chat with task management
A low-cost team chat that adds tasks, calls, integrations, and enterprise controls.
- Guest access
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Chanty -
Best forBusinesses that need admin-controlled team messaging
A cross-platform business messenger with centralized controls and a paid-only model.
- Guest access
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Brosix -
Best forLow-cost full-featured team chat
A low-cost team chat with unlimited history and broad collaboration features.
- Guest access
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Pumble -
Best forTeams needing affordable messaging with AI
A business messaging suite with AI tools and plans from $2.50 per user monthly.
- Guest access
7.2/10★★★★☆Try Troop Messenger -
Best forTopic-focused async team communication
A topic-first messaging app for teams that want conversations to stay organized.
- Guest access
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Twist -
Best forTeams wanting structured chat with built-in AI tools
JANDI combines topic-based team chat with collaboration features and optional AI capabilities.
- Guest access
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit JANDI -
Best forFree chat for friends, family, and large groups
A free consumer chat app with large groups, calls, and encrypted private chats.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit imo -
Best forPeople combining multiple messaging networks
A cross-network messaging hub with useful organization tools and tiered account limits.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Beeper -
Best forFree basic social messaging
A free web and mobile messenger for personal chats, groups and calls.
- End-to-end encryption
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Messenger -
Best forAndroid-centric social messaging
A free Android messaging app with large group chats, calls, Moments, and translation.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit WeChat -
Best forFree messaging with large PC file transfers
A free everyday messenger with broad device coverage and PC file transfers up to 1 GB.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Zalo -
Best forFree chat with calls and large groups
A free messenger with calls, media sharing and community chats, limited to three listed platforms.
- End-to-end encryption
- Guest access
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit KakaoTalk -
Best forFree encrypted XMPP on Apple devices
A free XMPP client for Apple devices, with encrypted chats, calls and file sharing.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Monal
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | Free | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Telegram | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | 9.2 |
| 4 | Discord | Yes | $29.99/user/yr | 9.1 |
| 5 | Microsoft Teams | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 6 | Slack | Yes | $7.25/user/mo | 8.9 |
| 7 | Element | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 8 | Mattermost | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 9 | Rocket.Chat | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 10 | Viber | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 11 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | 8.4 |
| 12 | Zulip | Yes | $3.50/user/mo | 8.3 |
| 13 | Threema | No | $7.49/unit one-time | 8.2 |
| 14 | Tencent QQ | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 15 | Briar | Yes | Free | 8.0 |
| 16 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 17 | Session | Yes | $2.99/mo | 7.8 |
| 18 | Conversations | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 19 | Flock | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 20 | Chanty | Yes | $3/user/mo | 7.5 |
| 21 | Brosix | No | $6/user/mo | 7.4 |
| 22 | Pumble | Yes | $2.49/seat/mo | 7.3 |
| 23 | Troop Messenger | No | $2.50/user/mo | 7.2 |
| 24 | Twist | Yes | $6/user/mo | 7.1 |
| 25 | JANDI | Yes | 7.0 | |
| 26 | imo | Yes | Free | 6.9 |
| 27 | Beeper | Yes | $99.99/yr | 6.8 |
| 28 | Messenger | Yes | Free | 6.7 |
| 29 | Yes | Free | 6.6 | |
| 30 | Zalo | Yes | Free | 6.5 |
| 31 | KakaoTalk | Yes | Free | 6.4 |
| 32 | Monal | Yes | Free | 6.3 |
Head-to-head All 16 comparisons →
- WhatsApp vs Discord
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How we rank instant messaging software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update