5 Best Free Instant Messaging Software You Haven’t Used

Everybody is familiar with the leading desktop messaging services – Gmail Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, Live Messenger and AIM amongst many other single protocol Instant Messaging services that we have used every single day for over a decade.

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Now we are using them on our hand phones as well, and they are getting so advanced that multi-protocol messaging services enable you to keep in touch with friends and business colleagues on all messaging services simultaneously, as well as via social networking sites and by email.

Here are our Top Five multi-protocol messaging services for web and phone:-

1. Miranda

Miranda is the coolest, lightest, fastest and most flexible multi-protocol instant messaging service for Windows. It supports Windows Live Messenger, Google, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, IRC, IBM Lotus, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, Ten Cent QQ, Off The Record, Xfire, Skype, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Buzz, LiveJournal, Tien, Netsend and Jabber – all with full video and voice compatibility. Miranda offers complete customizability and has over 350 plug-ins.

2. Empathy

Empathy has several more supported IM protocols than Miranda and is available in a number of different languages. It has a great series of plug-ins and is constantly being updated to provide a better service for users.

3. Adium

Adium is one of the best multi-protocol IM providers for Mac users with fantastic step by step videos explaining how to download and use it. There are an incredible number of extras and plug-ins available, with themed icons and customizable message styles.

4. Digsby

Loved the way that Digsby looked and felt to use. It is currently available for Windows only, but in development for Mac and Linux. It has a couple of nice features like a widget for your blog, detachable conversations and a cleaner, smoother IM window.

5. Nimbuzz

Nimbuzz is the most forward developed mobile IM service, supporting Windows, Skype, Google, Yahoo, Aim and ICQ via your mobile. It includes Orkut amongst its featured social network sites (as well as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Gadu-Gadu) and offers Voip and SIP. The Nimbuzz Mobile app is available for over 1000 different handsets that operate on Java, Symbian, Windows, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry.

Note : This guest post was contributed by Samuel Bartlett who writes about online bachelor degree and can be reached at bartlett.samuels@gmail.com for comments.

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