Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Pidgin VS ZeroChat

Compare Pidgin VS ZeroChat and see what are their differences

Pidgin logo 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.

ZeroChat logo ZeroChat

An IRC-like chatroom hosted on ZeroNet, a distributed network.
  • Pidgin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-13
  • ZeroChat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-06

Pidgin features and specs

  • Multi-Protocol Support
    Pidgin supports a wide range of chat protocols like AIM, MSN, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP, ICQ, and IRC, making it versatile for users who need to manage multiple accounts from different networks.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, Pidgin allows for transparency and extensive customization. Community contributions help in improving its features and security.
  • Cross-Platform
    Pidgin is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it accessible to a broad user base.
  • Plugin Support
    Pidgin offers a plethora of plugins that extend its functionality, allowing users to add features like encryption, additional protocol support, and interface enhancements.
  • Lightweight
    Pidgin is relatively lightweight and does not consume a lot of system resources, making it ideal for users who need efficient performance.

Possible disadvantages of Pidgin

  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface of Pidgin is considered outdated by modern standards, which may not appeal to users looking for a sleek and contemporary design.
  • Limited Native Mobile Support
    Pidgin does not have robust support for mobile platforms natively, making it less convenient for users who want to synchronize their chats across mobile and desktop.
  • Security Concerns
    Because of its open-source nature, any vulnerabilities discovered are publicly available, which can be a double-edged sword regarding security.
  • Complexity in Setup
    Initial setup and configuration might be complex for non-technical users, especially those needing to set up multiple accounts and plugins.
  • Limited Support for Modern Protocols
    Pidgin may lack support for newer chat protocols and services, thus limiting users who rely on more modern communication platforms.

ZeroChat features and specs

  • Decentralization
    ZeroChat operates on a decentralized network, which means it doesn't rely on a central server. This can enhance privacy and reduce the chances of data breaches.
  • Privacy
    By not centralizing data, users can chat without their conversations being stored on a central server, which is beneficial for those looking for more privacy in their communications.
  • Open Source
    ZeroChat is an open-source project, allowing anyone to review its code for security and functionality. This transparency can build trust with users.
  • Community Driven
    As an open-source tool, it invites contributions from the community, fostering innovation and rapid development of new features or improvements.

Possible disadvantages of ZeroChat

  • Technical Expertise
    Users might need a certain level of technical knowledge to set up and run the application, which could be a barrier for non-technical users.
  • Limited User Base
    As a niche or possibly lesser-known application, ZeroChat might not have a wide user base, which can hinder communication with a broader audience.
  • Feature Limitations
    Compared to mainstream chat applications, ZeroChat might lack some advanced features or polish, which can be a deciding factor for some users.
  • Network Dependence
    The performance and reliability of decentralized networks can vary, potentially affecting the speed and stability of the chat experience.

Analysis of Pidgin

Overall verdict

  • Pidgin is a good choice for users looking for a lightweight, multi-protocol instant messaging client. It is most appreciated for its simplicity, ease of use, and flexibility to configure according to user preferences. However, as some messaging services push towards proprietary protocols, Pidgin may require additional plugins or tweaks to remain fully compatible, and users should be aware of any potential limitations.

Why this product is good

  • Pidgin is a versatile and open-source instant messaging client that supports multiple messaging protocols simultaneously, such as AIM, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP, ICQ, and many others. It provides a unified platform for users who want to manage different chat accounts and services in one place. Its extensibility through plugins allows for additional functionalities like encryption, interface customization, and message logging. Furthermore, being open-source means it has a robust community supporting and updating it, which contributes to its reliability and security.

Recommended for

    Pidgin is highly recommended for users who need to manage multiple chat accounts from different platforms within a single app. It is ideal for individuals who appreciate open-source software and the ability to extend functionality through plugins. It's particularly useful for those who prioritize functionality over a modern user interface and are comfortable with making customizations if needed.

Pidgin videos

Pidgin IM Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Pidgin Review
  • Review - Pidgin IM - Instant Messenger Review

ZeroChat videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Pidgin and ZeroChat)
Communication
95 95%
5% 5
Group Chat & Notifications
Messaging
95 95%
5% 5
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Pidgin and ZeroChat

Pidgin Reviews

Franz Not Working ? Try These Best Franz Alternatives! [2023]
Pidgin is a well-known multi-platform, cross-platform instant messaging client that had to alter its name at the time owing to legal concerns with AOL. You can talk with users of Skype, Yahoo, ICQ, AIM, and even those in an IRC chat room via its user interface.
Source: viraltalky.com
The 7 Best Chat Apps and Clients Better Than Official Messengers
Given its many years and open-source nature, Pidgin supports a wide variety of chat networks, along with third-party plugins to enable many more. For example, there isn’t an official WhatsApp plugin, but you can get WhatsApp on Pidgin using third-party plugins.

ZeroChat Reviews

We have no reviews of ZeroChat yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Pidgin seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 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.

Pidgin mentions (17)

  • Right to be Forgotten and Open Source
    When it comes to Right to be Forgotten we only have few places were we have user data as part of us running Pidgin. These are our mailing list archives which have been replaced by Discourse, our issue tracker, and our old developer WIKI. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • How can I forward Facebook messenger messages to email?
    I can't think of any way. There is a Facebook plugin for Pidgin, and you can get at your chats that way with a more versatile cross-platform messenger, if you are more normally on other chat services. https://pidgin.im/ https://github.com/dequis/purple-facebook/wiki If you want web-based clients, try a multi-app client such as Ferdium, RamBox or Station. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Why so rude?
    As I mentioned earlier, this scenario happens to me all the time. This is precisely why I refuse to discuss why we don't use Git or GitHub for Pidgin. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Automattic is acquiring Texts and betting big on the future of messaging
    I did a find before posting my comment and found yours. >Cool I like Wordpress. But they bought a fancy Pidgin clone for 50mil...? https://pidgin.im/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • YOUR OPSEC SUCKS | UHQ SCHIZOID OPSEC GUIDE | BECOME BULLETPROOF
    XMPP XMPP stands for Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol and is used for communications for message-oriented middleware based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML). Many more people are starting to use this as a main way of communication using programs such as Pidgin to accomplish this. Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform IM client which most people will recommend for XMPP. The main reason is... Source: about 2 years ago
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ZeroChat mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Pidgin and ZeroChat, you can also consider the following products

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free.

mIRC - mIRC: Internet Relay Chat client

Skype - Stay in touch with your family and friends for free on Skype. Download Skype today to chat and call on desktop and mobile.

HexChat - HexChat is a fork of XChat with bug fixes and new features.

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.

XChat for Linux - XChat is an IRC chat program for both Linux and Windows.