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Kaidan

Free#29 of 44 in Encrypted Messaging AppsWhatsApp Alternatives

Kaidan: A capable open-source XMPP client, with experimental calls and ecosystem limits. Ranked #29 of 44 in Encrypted Messaging Apps by our editors (6.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for XMPP users wanting modern encrypted chat.

6.3/10Editor score
Visit Kaidan
Kaidan6.3 Visit Kaidan

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.3 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    XMPP users wanting modern encrypted chat
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Encryption coverage
    Default
  • Facts checked
    21 Sep 2026
Kaidan screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Free and open-source across desktop and Android
    • OMEMO 2 encrypts messages, files, and metadata
    • Supports groups, search, media, and multiple XMPP accounts

  • Where it doesn't

    • Audio and video calls are experimental
    • Calls currently target Linux
    • XMPP provider and ecosystem choices add setup constraints

Our verdict on Kaidan

Kaidan is a free, open-source messaging client for people who want encrypted chat through the XMPP (Jabber) protocol. It runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android, and supports text messaging, media, files, groups, search, and multiple XMPP accounts. Users can choose an XMPP provider rather than depending on a single centralized service. That makes Kaidan a natural fit for XMPP users who want a modern client with encryption and a broad set of everyday messaging tools.

Encryption is a central strength. OMEMO 2 provides end-to-end encryption for messages, files, and metadata, with Automatic Trust Management and QR-code-based key authentication. Encryption is enabled by default when a contact supports it, while it can be disabled for individual contacts. Messaging includes reactions, replies, corrections, and read markers, while group chats add invitations, participant lists, mentions, and private/public filtering. Audio and video messages, file sharing, a media overview, and chat and message search give the client useful depth beyond basic text exchange.

Kaidan’s main trade-off is the combination of an XMPP-oriented ecosystem and experimental calling features. Provider selection and multiple-account support suit users who value choice, but they also make the experience more dependent on the selected XMPP service and its compatibility. One-to-one audio and video calls are experimental and currently intended to work on Linux, so users prioritizing mature cross-platform calling should choose an alternative. Kaidan is well suited to people who already use XMPP or want an open protocol with modern encrypted messaging; it is less suitable for those seeking a single-service experience with established calling across every supported platform.

Your product? Our editors can test Kaidan in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →

Kaidan pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on kaidan.im

Kaidan fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Encryption coverageDefault
Maximum group sizeNot verified
Linked device limitNot verified
Desktop appYes
Voice and video callsYes
Disappearing messagesNot verified
Encrypted backupsNot verified
DeploymentDesktop, Mobile
PlatformsLinux
SupportDocs
Built forSolo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations3 integrations: XMPP, OMEMO 2, XMPP Providers
PricingFree plan
Websitekaidan.im
Facts checked21 Sep 2026

Kaidan integrations

Kaidan lists 3 integrations on its own site.

  • XMPP
  • OMEMO 2
  • XMPP Providers

Alternatives to Kaidan

See all Kaidan alternatives →

Also Ranked In

Kaidan is ranked in 2 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — Kaidan 6.3/10

Kaidan is listed in our Encrypted Messaging Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Guides on encrypted messaging apps

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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. How we rank.

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