Last updated: October 4, 2016 at 14:40 pm
Apps and tools for one-to-one messaging and group chats. Listed in alphabetical order.
24im
Enterprise Group IM. Connect your workforce.
Cost: Commercial | Available: Hosted/Download
AIM
Send free text messages from your AIM app. AIM makes it easy to talk and share with a group.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Allo
Smart messaging app for Google devices
Cost: Free | Available: Download
CallBurner
Record your Skype audio calls.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Campfire
Campfire is like instant messaging, but designed exclusively for groups.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Hosted
CDMessenger
Chat for businesses and teams.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Download
ChitChat
Chit Chat is a free Facebook chat instant messenger (IM) that allows you to chat with your Facebook friends from your desktop.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Cisco Jabber
Easily access voice, video, presence, instant messaging, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and conferencing capabilities.
Cost: Commercial | Available: Download
Digsby
IM, email and social networks in one application.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
eBuddy
Unlimited messaging through your internet connection.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted
ecamm
Call recorders for Facetime and Skype.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Download
Franz
a messaging app that combines chat & messaging services into one application
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning 2016: 176 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/franz/
Glide
Experience lightning fast, back and forth video conversations.
Cost: Free | Available: Download app
GroupMe
The best way to chat with everyone you know.
Cost: Free | Available: Download app
GroovyNotes
GroovyNotes allows you to send browser-to-browser instant messages and share pages with others by sending them directly from your browser to theirs.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
HipChat
Group and private chat, file sharing, and integrations.
Cost: Free and premium versions | Available: Download
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning 2016: 173 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/hipchat/
IBM Sametime
Instant messaging products integrate real-time social communications into the business environment.
Cost: Commercial | Available: Download
InstantBird
With Instantbird, you can now talk to all your friends with a single application! AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Google Talk, Facebook and even Twitter are supported!
Cost: Free | Available: Download
LINE
LINE is a communications app that allows you to make free voice calls and send free messages whenever and wherever you are, 24 hours a day!
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Messenger
Reach people instantly. Voice and video chat. From Facebook.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning: 6 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/facebook/
Miranda
Miranda IM is an open-source multi protocol instant messenger client for Microsoft Windows.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
Oh, don’t forget
Schedule text message (SMS) reminders.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted
ooVoo
ooVoo lets you video call with up to 12 friends. Send text, picture, and video messages, and lots more.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
PalTalk
Start a free video chat, voice or text group chat with anyone on any device.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted/Download
Pamela (for Skype)
Reliable and easy to use Skype audio and video recording software.
Cost: Free and premium versions | Available: Download
Pidgin
Pidgin is an easy to use and free chat client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and more chat networks all at once.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
PowerGramo
PowerGramo Skype Recorder is an automatic tool to record Skype calls.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Download
PrettyMay
PrettyMay Call Recorder for Skype and Call Center for Skype is a 100% software-based Skype IP PBX that replaces traditional proprietary hardware PBX / PABX.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Download
Remind
Remind is a communication tool that helps teachers connect instantly with students and parents. Send quick, simple messages to any device.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning 2016: 160 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/remind/
Skype
Skype is useful for one-to-one interactions as well as group conversations. Skype for Business (previously Lync), means it is also a key enterprise tool, and Skype in the Classroom a key educational tool.
Cost: Free and premium versions | Available: Download
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning 2016: 7 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/skype/
Slack
Slack is a team collaboration tool, for real time messaging and file sharing.
Cost: Free and premium plans | Available: Hosted
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning 2016: 20 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/slack/
Tackk
Tackk is a place to connect with friends, be creative and have fun conversations.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
TalkShoe
Community calling with your groups.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted
Telegram
A new era of messaging
Cost: Free | Available: Download
text-connect
Text-Connect™ makes it easier and faster for your customers and colleagues to tell you what they need, now.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Download
TextMagic
TextMagic is a business text-messaging service for sending notifications, alerts, reminders, confirmations and SMS marketing campaigns.
Cost: Commercial. Free trial | Available: Hosted
The Gong Project
Gong is a free system for voice communication on the Web.
Cost: Free | Available: Download
ThinkMessage
Send bulk or single SMS Messages in an instant.
Cost: Commercial. Free setup | Available: Hosted
Trillian
Chat with other Trillian users or those on Facebook, Google, AIM, ICQ, XMPP, Yahoo!, Twitter, and more.
Cost: Free and premium versions | Available: Download
txtDrop
TxtDrop enables users in the United States and Canada to send text messages with instant delivery from their desktop.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted
Voxopop
Voxopop talkgroups let you discuss your interests and passions with people from all over the world, using your real voice.
Cost: Free | Available: Hosted
WeChat
It’s the all-in-one communications app for free text (SMS/MMS), voice & video calls, moments, photo sharing, and games.
Cost: Free trial | Available:Download
WhatsApp
Not just a a personal messaging app, but its broadcasting and group functionalities make it a valuable tool both for educational and corporate activities.
Cost: Free and premium versions | Available: Download
Ranking on Top 200 Tools for Learning 2016: 13 See more at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/whatsapp/
Yahoo Messenger
Instant message with your Yahoo and Windows Live Messenger™ friends.
Cost: Free | Available: Download