Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Empathy VS CoyIM

Compare Empathy VS CoyIM and see what are their differences

Empathy logo Empathy

Apps/Empathy - GNOME Wiki!

CoyIM logo CoyIM

CoyIM is a safe and secure chat client.
  • Empathy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-16
  • CoyIM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-13

Empathy features and specs

  • Integration
    Empathy offers seamless integration with other GNOME applications, making it a core part of the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Protocol Support
    Empathy supports a wide range of messaging protocols, including XMPP, Google Talk, Facebook, and MSN, providing versatility in communication.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application has a clean and easy-to-navigate interface, which simplifies the experience for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Unified Messaging
    By consolidating multiple chat protocols into a single interface, it reduces the need for multiple messaging applications.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source application, Empathy allows for community-driven improvements, transparency, and customizability.

Possible disadvantages of Empathy

  • Development Status
    Empathy's development has slowed down, and it has received much fewer updates in recent years, making its long-term viability uncertain.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to modern messaging apps, Empathy lacks many advanced features like end-to-end encryption, video calling, and file sharing.
  • Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional crashes and bugs, which can be frustrating and disrupt communication.
  • Resource Usage
    The application can be resource-heavy, consuming a significant amount of system memory and CPU, which may slow down older machines.
  • Dated Interface
    The user interface feels outdated and does not offer the sleek and modern aesthetic that many contemporary messaging applications provide.

CoyIM features and specs

  • Security
    CoyIM is designed with security in mind, using the Tor network to anonymize users and providing end-to-end encryption. It focuses heavily on protecting the user's privacy and communications.
  • Simplified Interface
    The interface is minimalistic, aiming to reduce distractions and make it easier for users to focus on their conversations without unnecessary clutter.
  • Cross-Platform
    CoyIM is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad accessibility for users with different operating systems.
  • Support for OTR and Tor
    The client supports Off-the-Record (OTR) Messaging, which provides encryption, authentication, and deniability. Its use of the Tor network also aids in anonymizing traffic.

Possible disadvantages of CoyIM

  • Limited Features
    Compared to other messaging clients, CoyIM lacks many advanced features such as file sharing, video calls, and integrations with other applications or services.
  • Technical Expertise Required
    Setting up and using CoyIM to its full potential requires a certain level of technical knowledge, especially related to its security features and Tor configuration.
  • Sparse User Interface
    While simplicity can be an advantage, some users may find CoyIM's interface too sparse or lacking in user-friendly features that are common in modern chat applications.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As a smaller project, CoyIM may not offer the robust customer support options that larger, more commercial messaging apps provide, potentially leaving users to resolve issues on their own.

Analysis of Empathy

Overall verdict

  • Empathy was considered a robust and practical messaging solution during its peak usage, especially for users within the GNOME environment. However, its relevance has diminished as newer messaging platforms have gained popularity.

Why this product is good

  • Empathy is a messaging app that was integrated with the GNOME desktop environment. It was designed to facilitate easy communication across multiple protocols by using the Telepathy framework. Users appreciate it for its ability to consolidate various chat services into one application, streamlining communication. Additionally, its integration with the GNOME desktop made it a convenient choice for GNOME users.

Recommended for

    Empathy can still be recommended for users who are running older versions of the GNOME desktop environment and appreciate its integration capabilities. It might also be of interest to those who are exploring the history of Linux desktop applications or have a particular interest in legacy software solutions.

Empathy videos

Empathy, Inc. (2019) Movie Review | Virtual Reality Techno Thriller!

More videos:

  • Review - The Painful Art of Empathy – Deconstructing The Last of Us: Part 2
  • Review - Learning Empathy - Violet Evergarden's Beautiful Writing

CoyIM videos

No CoyIM videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Empathy and CoyIM)
Group Chat & Notifications
Communication
76 76%
24% 24
Messaging
76 76%
24% 24
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CoyIM seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Empathy mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Empathy yet. Tracking of Empathy recommendations started around Mar 2021.

CoyIM mentions (2)

  • Has anyone heard of CoyIM?
    Just came across CoyIM. Looks promising, it's basically XMPP + Tor + OTR. It even has interoperability with other OTR and XMPP clients. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Android/Windows 10 messaging app needed w/ OTR, OPEN SOURCE & XMPP *BUT MUST BE COMPATIBLE W/ CHATSECURE IOS/MAC
    I believe most apps have removed OTR support due to usability issues. However, https://coy.im/ still has it and has a Windows version, but I've never used it. Also Pidgin has terrible XMPP support, but does still have a separate OTR plugin and can run on Windows. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Empathy and CoyIM, you can also consider the following products

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.

Psi-IM - Psi-IM is a messaging program that is designed for the XMPP network.

Trillian - Trillian is a decentralized and federated instant messaging platform that lets your whole company send private and group messages, keep tabs on what co-workers are doing, share files, and much more.

Gajim - Full featured and easy to use Jabber client

Adium - Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more.

Dino - Dino is a modern open-source chat client for the desktop.