Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Messenger for Desktop VS Empathy

Compare Messenger for Desktop VS Empathy and see what are their differences

Messenger for Desktop logo Messenger for Desktop

A simple & beautiful app for Facebook Messenger.

Empathy logo Empathy

Apps/Empathy - GNOME Wiki!
  • Messenger for Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16
  • Empathy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-16

Messenger for Desktop features and specs

  • Multi-platform Support
    Messenger for Desktop is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Independent from Browser
    Users can run Messenger for Desktop without needing to open a web browser, providing a dedicated space for messaging and reducing browser clutter.
  • Notifications
    The application supports desktop notifications, alerting users to new messages and ensuring they stay updated without constantly checking their phones.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Messenger for Desktop offers an interface similar to Facebook Messenger's official app, making it familiar and easy to use for most users.
  • Free to Use
    The application is available for free, making it an accessible option for users seeking a desktop messaging solution.

Possible disadvantages of Messenger for Desktop

  • Not Official
    Messenger for Desktop is not an official application from Facebook, which may raise concerns about data privacy and security for some users.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to the official mobile app, Messenger for Desktop might not support all features, such as certain integrations and newer functionalities.
  • Resource Usage
    The standalone application might consume more system resources than the web-based version, potentially affecting system performance on lower-end devices.
  • Potential Incompatibility
    Updates to Facebook's platform might cause compatibility issues with Messenger for Desktop, potentially leading to occasional bugs or malfunctions.
  • Ads and Prompts
    Users have reported occasional ads and prompts to upgrade, which might detract from the user experience.

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.

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.

Messenger for Desktop videos

Facebook Messenger For Desktop

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Messenger for Desktop and Empathy)
Messaging
23 23%
77% 77
Group Chat & Notifications
Communication
20 20%
80% 80
Mac
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Messenger for Desktop seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Messenger for Desktop mentions (1)

  • The new FB Messenger for Windows 10 is crashing all the time, and I need to go back to an older version. I can't seem to find it on the official messenger.com website
    I use Opera browser that includes a Messenger extension/app or https://messengerfordesktop.com. Source: almost 4 years ago

Empathy mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Messenger for Desktop and Empathy, you can also consider the following products

Facebook Messenger - Facebook Messenger is a faster way to message.

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.

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.

Messenger for Mac - Facebook Messenger wrapped up as a desktop app

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

Franz - Franz is your messaging app for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Gmail, Telegram and many many more.