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Conversations alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Conversations: android only, and experience depends on the server you pick. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Conversations, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Monal currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Monal logoMonalFreeYesmacOS, iOS3 of 366.5
2Gajim logoGajimFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 362.6
3Element logoElementOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
4Delta Chat logoDelta ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 457.2
5Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 555.3
  1. Monal logo

    1. MonalTop pick

    Best for: iPhone and Mac users who want an independent XMPP messenger

    FreeOpen sourcemacOS, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Conversations

    The equivalent XMPP client for iPhone and Mac users.

    Pros

    • Native XMPP client for iPhone, iPad and Mac
    • Works with any XMPP server, including your own
    • Free, open source and tracker-free

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Needs an XMPP account from a provider you choose
    • Small developer team
    Visit Monal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Monal a good Conversations alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    iOS and macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026monal-im.org(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    BSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026monal-im.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Origins
    2002
    Checked Oct 25, 2026monal-im.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Gajim logo

    2. Gajim

    Best for: Desktop users who want a capable client for the open XMPP network

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Conversations

    A full-featured XMPP client for Windows, Mac and Linux desktops.

    Pros

    • Works on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • OMEMO encryption and multiple accounts
    • Free software, extensible with plugins

    Cons

    • Desktop only; needs a separate mobile app
    • Depends on your XMPP server's features
    • Few mainstream contacts use XMPP
    Visit Gajim Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Gajim a good Conversations alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gajim.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Development
    Free software by volunteers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gajim.org(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPLv3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dev.gajim.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Element logo

    3. Element

    Best for: Communities and organisations that want open, federated, encrypted chat they can run themselves

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Conversations

    Federated Matrix chat with a larger community and richer group features.

    Pros

    • Federated: talk across servers, or host your own
    • Encrypted by default for private chats
    • Open source, with bridges to other networks

    Cons

    • More complex than mainstream messengers
    • Key backup and device verification confuse newcomers
    • Self-hosting a homeserver takes real admin work
    Visit Element Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Element a good Conversations alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Free community edition
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise pricing
    Per seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Certification
    ISO/IEC 27001:2022
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Delta Chat logo

    4. Delta Chat

    Best for: People who want decentralised, encrypted chat with sign-up as easy as a mainstream app

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Conversations

    Another open-standards messenger, with even easier sign-up.

    Pros

    • Instant sign-up without a phone number
    • Decentralised relays based on open email standards
    • In-chat web apps for games and collaboration

    Cons

    • Less polished than mainstream messengers
    • Small user base
    • Calling is newer and more limited
    Visit Delta Chat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Delta Chat a good Conversations alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0 (Android app)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    Audited end-to-end encryption
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Accounts
    Chatmail relays
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    In-chat apps
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Signal logo

    5. Signal

    Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest mainstream privacy without giving up a familiar chat app

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Conversations

    Simpler and more widely used, if federation isn't a priority.

    Pros

    • Everything end-to-end encrypted by default, including groups
    • Collects almost no metadata
    • No ads, tracking or paid tier; open source

    Cons

    • Needs a phone number to register
    • Desktop app only works linked to a phone
    • Smaller network than WhatsApp in most countries
    Visit Signal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Signal a good Conversations alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Independent nonprofit
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Ads and tracking
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Always on
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Requires Signal on your phone
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Conversations alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Monal logo

Best Conversations alternative for most people

Monal

The equivalent XMPP client for iPhone and Mac users.

Gajim logo

Best Conversations alternative for a free option

Gajim

A full-featured XMPP client for Windows, Mac and Linux desktops.

Element logo

Best Conversations alternative for open source

Element

Federated Matrix chat with a larger community and richer group features.

Delta Chat logo

Best Conversations alternative for self-hosting

Delta Chat

Another open-standards messenger, with even easier sign-up.

Signal logo

Best Conversations alternative for Mac

Signal

Simpler and more widely used, if federation isn't a priority.

Gajim logo

Best Conversations alternative for Windows

Gajim

A full-featured XMPP client for Windows, Mac and Linux desktops.

Gajim logo

Best Conversations alternative for Linux

Gajim

A full-featured XMPP client for Windows, Mac and Linux desktops.

Element logo

Best Conversations alternative for iPhone and Android

Element

Federated Matrix chat with a larger community and richer group features.

Element logo

Best Conversations alternative for working in the browser

Element

Federated Matrix chat with a larger community and richer group features.

Conversations alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Conversations?

Monal ranks first right now. The equivalent XMPP client for iPhone and Mac users. Gajim and Element follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Conversations?

Yes. Monal (free), Gajim (free), Element (open source) and Delta Chat (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Conversations?

Yes: Monal, Gajim, Element and Delta Chat, plus 1 more in the list above. Element and Delta Chat can also be self-hosted.

Which Conversations alternatives work on Linux?

Gajim, Element, Delta Chat and Signal run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Conversations?

The complaints we hear most: android only; experience depends on the server you pick; few mainstream contacts use XMPP.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Conversations, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.