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Gajim alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Gajim: desktop only; needs a separate mobile app, and depends on your XMPP server's features. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Gajim, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Conversations currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Conversations logoConversationsOpen sourceYesAndroid, Self-hosted3 of 366.5
2Monal logoMonalFreeYesmacOS, iOS3 of 362.6
3Element logoElementOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
4Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 557.2
  1. Conversations logo

    1. ConversationsTop pick

    Best for: Android users who want an independent, federated messenger on open standards

    Open sourceSelf-hostableAndroid, Self-hosted

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Gajim

    The go-to XMPP app for Android to pair with Gajim.

    Pros

    • Works with any XMPP server, including your own
    • Battery-friendly without Google push
    • OMEMO end-to-end encryption

    Cons

    • Android only
    • Experience depends on the server you pick
    • Few mainstream contacts use XMPP
    Visit Conversations 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 Conversations a good Gajim alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Protocol
    XMPP (Jabber)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026conversations.im(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPLv3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026conversations.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    TLS to servers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026conversations.im(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Monal logo

    2. Monal

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

    FreeOpen sourcemacOS, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Gajim

    XMPP for iPhone, iPad and Mac.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Monal a good Gajim 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)
  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 Gajim

    Federated Matrix chat with desktop, web and mobile apps from one project.

    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 Gajim 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. Signal logo

    4. Signal

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Gajim

    A simpler cross-platform encrypted messenger with a big network.

    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 ×0.369
    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 Signal a good Gajim 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 Gajim alternative for…

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

Conversations logo

Best Gajim alternative for most people

Conversations

The go-to XMPP app for Android to pair with Gajim.

Monal logo

Best Gajim alternative for a free option

Monal

XMPP for iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Element logo

Best Gajim alternative for open source

Element

Federated Matrix chat with desktop, web and mobile apps from one project.

Conversations logo

Best Gajim alternative for self-hosting

Conversations

The go-to XMPP app for Android to pair with Gajim.

Signal logo

Best Gajim alternative for Mac

Signal

A simpler cross-platform encrypted messenger with a big network.

Element logo

Best Gajim alternative for Windows

Element

Federated Matrix chat with desktop, web and mobile apps from one project.

Element logo

Best Gajim alternative for Linux

Element

Federated Matrix chat with desktop, web and mobile apps from one project.

Element logo

Best Gajim alternative for iPhone and Android

Element

Federated Matrix chat with desktop, web and mobile apps from one project.

Element logo

Best Gajim alternative for working in the browser

Element

Federated Matrix chat with desktop, web and mobile apps from one project.

Gajim alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Gajim?

Conversations ranks first right now. The go-to XMPP app for Android to pair with Gajim. Monal and Element follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Gajim?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Gajim?

Yes: Conversations, Monal, Element and Signal. Conversations and Element can also be self-hosted.

Which Gajim alternatives work on Linux?

Element and Signal run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Gajim?

The complaints we hear most: desktop only; needs a separate mobile app; depends on your XMPP server's features; few mainstream contacts use XMPP.

How is this list ranked?

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