Browse free open source Chat software and projects below. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source Chat software by OS, license, language, programming language, and project status.
You can message and share files inside your intranet without a server.
A Windows client for the Direct Connect networks
A universal instant messaging (IM) program
An intranet chat application that does not require a server.
The FetLife App on Android
Development toolkit for Web Services and XML data bindings for C & C++
Psi+ Project — development branch of Psi XMPP client
Psi IM — Qt-based XMPP client
A smaller, faster, and easier IM client
The pinnacle of file-sharing and chat - an innovative DC client!
Low-latency, high quality voice chat for gamers
A free peer-to-peer (P2P) BitTorrent file sharing client
VICIdial Contact Center Suite
An alternative Discord client with voice support made with C++ and GTK
Dev tools to reliably understand text and automate conversations
A patched version of discord, with bot login support
An instant messaging client for XMPP networks
Standalone chat system developed in php, mysql and javascript
A private messenger for iOS
Mattermost Desktop application for Windows, Mac and Linux
A glossy Matrix collaboration client for the web
Private messenger for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Open source chat software is a type of communication software that allows users to communicate via text, audio, or video. Open source chat software typically works by connecting two or more computers over the internet and allowing those computers to share messages in real-time. This can be done either one-on-one through private messaging, or it can occur in group chats with multiple participants.
Open source chat software can be divided into three subcategories: instant messaging (IM), voice over IP (VoIP), and web conferencing. IM applications are designed for conversation between two people with very little latency, allowing messages to appear almost instantly without any additional delay in transmission. Voice over IP applications provide an alternative way for users to call each other using their computers as the primary device instead of relying on telephones. Finally, web conferencing allows groups of people to exchange files, share their screens, and even participate in breakout sessions during virtual meetings.
Many open source chat softwares offer encrypted communications which ensure that messages sent across the network remain private and secure from malicious third parties who might attempt to intercept them. Additionally, these programs generally have user friendly interfaces that allow quick access to settings like video/audio quality preferences, file sharing controls, moderators, etc., as well as a wide range of features tailored specifically for business use cases such as data collaboration between multiple offices or support center functions within customer service teams.
The main advantage of open source chat software compared to proprietary services is its flexibility; by being available under an open source license developers are free to customize the application’s code however they choose and modify it according to the evolving needs of their project. This makes them suitable for both large scale professional use cases as well as smaller operations where budget constraints may limit the purchase of expensive enterprise tools. With many products now offering cloud hosting options up front this also eliminates much of maintenance required by on-premise solutions making setup relatively straightforward even for non tech savvy users.
Open source chat software is typically free to use. This type of software is freely available and open-source, meaning anyone can use it or customize it to fit their needs. It often comes with a variety of features such as user management, file sharing, video conferencing, and more - all without having to pay any upfront costs. While implementing this kind of software does require an initial setup cost (such as hosting expense), it doesn't require you to pay for licenses or incur any other significant costs that could be associated with paid versions. Ultimately, the total cost of using open source chat software will depend on your specific requirements and how much customization you need for the project.
Open source chat software can integrate with a variety of types of software. For example, it can be used in conjunction with an account authentication service, such as LDAP or Active Directory, to provide users with single sign-on access. It could also be integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) software, allowing for easy contact management and efficient communications between customer support staff and customers. Additionally, open source chat software can be integrated into project management tools, enabling project teams to collaborate easily across various organizational levels. Finally, open source chat software is often utilized in combination with unified communications and collaboration platforms to provide employees with quick and convenient communication capabilities.
Getting started with using open source chat software is simple and easy. To begin, users should first look up what types of programs are available, as there are a variety of options such as Slack, Rocket.Chat, and Mattermost. Each of these programs provide different capabilities and features so users should select the one that best meets their needs.
Once they have selected their preferred program, users should visit the corresponding website to download their chosen software package. The installation process varies by program but typically involves running an executable file or manually setting up configuration files if installing on a server system. After the installation has been completed, users just need to create an account and configure settings for how they want their chat room functionality to work - for example setting up channels for different topics or inviting colleagues or friends to join the conversation. These settings can be updated in the future as user needs change over time.
After all these steps are finished users will be ready to start chatting. Depending on what platform has been chosen there may also be additional features available such as integration with other applications like Gmail or calendar services which allow greater collaboration between teams and making it easier for them to stay connected in real-time. Using open source chat software offers many benefits including cost savings compared to proprietary solutions and giving users more control over security configurations thanks to its open source nature. With all this taken into consideration, it's no wonder why so many people turn towards open source chat solutions when looking for tools that enable communication within their organization or personal network.