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Monal alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Monal: apple devices only, and needs an XMPP account from a provider you choose. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Monal, 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
1Gajim logoGajimFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 362.6
2Apple Messages (iMessage) logoApple Messages (iMessage)FreeNomacOS, iOS4 of 459.6
3Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 557.2
  1. Gajim logo

    1. GajimTop pick

    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 Monal

    A desktop XMPP client for Windows and Linux users.

    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 Monal 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)
  2. Apple Messages (iMessage) logo

    2. Apple Messages (iMessage)

    Best for: iPhone and Mac users whose friends and family are also on Apple devices

    FreemacOS, iOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Monal

    Apple's built-in app is simpler if your contacts are all on Apple devices.

    Pros

    • Built in, with nothing to install or sign up for
    • End-to-end encrypted between Apple devices
    • Falls back to RCS and SMS to reach any phone

    Cons

    • Only available on Apple devices
    • Mixed iPhone and Android groups lose features
    • RCS encryption depends on both carriers
    Visit Apple Messages (iMessage) 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 Apple Messages (iMessage) a good Monal alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes, for iMessage
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices
    iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    RCS support
    Yes, from iOS 18
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encrypted RCS
    Beta from iOS 26.5
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Signal logo

    3. 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 Monal

    A widely used encrypted messenger that needs no server choice.

    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 Monal 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 Monal alternative for…

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

Conversations logo

Best Monal alternative for most people

Conversations

The leading XMPP client on Android, for mixed-platform groups.

Gajim logo

Best Monal alternative for a free option

Gajim

A desktop XMPP client for Windows and Linux users.

Signal logo

Best Monal alternative for open source

Signal

A widely used encrypted messenger that needs no server choice.

Conversations logo

Best Monal alternative for self-hosting

Conversations

The leading XMPP client on Android, for mixed-platform groups.

Apple Messages (iMessage) logo

Best Monal alternative for Mac

Apple Messages (iMessage)

Apple's built-in app is simpler if your contacts are all on Apple devices.

Gajim logo

Best Monal alternative for Windows

Gajim

A desktop XMPP client for Windows and Linux users.

Gajim logo

Best Monal alternative for Linux

Gajim

A desktop XMPP client for Windows and Linux users.

Signal logo

Best Monal alternative for iPhone and Android

Signal

A widely used encrypted messenger that needs no server choice.

Monal alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Monal?

Conversations ranks first right now. The leading XMPP client on Android, for mixed-platform groups. Gajim and Apple Messages (iMessage) follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Monal?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Monal?

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

Which Monal alternatives work on Linux?

Gajim and Signal run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Monal?

The complaints we hear most: apple devices only; needs an XMPP account from a provider you choose; small developer team.

How is this list ranked?

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