The Pidgin Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Pidgin in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Pidgin
The Insider’s Guide
Desktop chat client that connects to many chat networks at once
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among team communication apps, read from Pidgin’s own pages.
Made by Pidgin · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Pidgin’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Pidgin’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 49 of the 75 other team communication apps we grade
Pidgin is a free, open-source chat program that lets you log in to accounts on several chat networks at the same time, such as XMPP and IRC. It is a client for existing networks rather than a hosted team workspace. Plugins extend it, and it has no ads.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Pidgin, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It is only a client, though: there is no phone app, no browser version, no hosted workspace, and the Mac version is left to Adium.
- 1
Best for one desktop window for several chat networks
Pidgin is a desktop chat program that logs into several networks at once, such as XMPP and IRC.
- 2
It is free
Pidgin has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and Linux.
- 4
Several networks in one window
Out of the box it works with Jabber/XMPP, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, GroupWise Messenger, Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE and Zephyr.
- 5
Plugins for more protocols
Plugins add support for further chat networks and extend what the client can do.
- 6
Chat network features
Supports file transfers, away messages, buddy icons, custom smileys and typing notifications where the network offers them.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 49 of 75
That is against the other team communication apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Pidgin is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Pidgin at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Pidgin
- Category
- Team Communication
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for one desktop window for several chat networks
Pidgin is a desktop chat program that logs into several networks at once, such as XMPP and IRC. It is free and has no ads. It is only a client, though: there is no phone app, no browser version, no hosted workspace, and the Mac version is left to Adium.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the GPL, with no ads. A program anyone can download and run. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, with no paid tier and no cap. Donations are accepted. |
| Features | C | Handles several accounts in one window and adds more through plugins. It is a client for other people's networks, so it does a smaller job than a workspace. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. You add and set up each chat account yourself before it does anything. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows and Linux only. No Mac build from the project, no mobile app and no web version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Pidgin is for
- Fits if you keep accounts on XMPP and IRC and want them in one window
- Works for Windows or Linux users who would rather have a small program than a browser tab
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a phone app, as none is listed
- Not for you if you are on a Mac, since the vendor points you to Adium
- Too light for team use, with no workspace, channels structure or admin tools of its own
- Watch out: Linux builds come from your distribution's package manager, not from the project
Good to know
Good for
- People who already use XMPP or IRC and want one client
- Users who want a free, ad-free desktop chat program
Worth knowing
- It is a desktop client only: no hosted workspace, mobile app or browser version is listed.
- The vendor says it runs on Windows, Linux, BSD and other UNIX-like systems; for macOS it points to Adium instead.
- Linux builds are not provided by the project; it recommends installing from the distribution's package manager.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Pidgin is free to use.
Free and open source under the GPL, with no ads.
Free
$0
Free, open source under the GNU General Public License, with no ads. Donations are accepted.
Read from pidgin.im on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Linux
Desktop chat client that connects to many chat networks at once. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, team chat, file sharing.
Handles several accounts in one window and adds more through plugins.
- Several networks in one window
- Out of the box it works with Jabber/XMPP, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, GroupWise Messenger, Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE and Zephyr.
- Plugins for more protocols
- Plugins add support for further chat networks and extend what the client can do.
- Chat network features
- Supports file transfers, away messages, buddy icons, custom smileys and typing notifications where the network offers them.
- Open source, no ads
- The code is licensed under the GNU General Public License and the program contains no advertising.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- XMPP
- IRC
- Bonjour
- Gadu-Gadu
- GroupWise Messenger
- Sametime
- SILC
- Zephyr
Pidgin is made by Pidgin.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
49/75
Other team communication apps it is graded above
Pidgin's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 49 of the 75 other team communication apps we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 60 of 75) and worst on platforms and integrations (C, above 0).
Pidgin has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 76 team communication apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Pidgin’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 58 of 75
- AFree plan and trialAbove 60 of 75
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 75
- CEase of useAbove 11 of 75
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 75
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 66 team communication apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Pidgin is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Pidgin is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Chat that a whole team counts on staying up.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, XMPP, IRC and Bonjour among them.
What this rests on. Pidgin’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Jami, Matrix, Element, Openfire and ejabberd
The 5 tools Pidgin is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.2GPA
Jami
Free
Peer-to-peer encrypted chat, calls and video conferences.
- Only Jami lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Jami is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Jami also covers video calls.
- 3.0GPA
Matrix
Free
Open, decentralized network for chat and calls.
- Only Matrix lists a web app.
- Only Matrix lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Matrix is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Element
Free plan
End-to-end encrypted chat and calls on the Matrix standard.
- Only Element lists a web app.
- Only Element lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Element is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
Openfire
Free
Open-source XMPP chat server you run on your own hardware.
- Only Openfire lists a macOS app.
- Openfire is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Pidgin also covers file sharing.
- 2.0GPA
ejabberd
Free plan · from €200/mo
Erlang messaging server for XMPP, MQTT, SIP and Matrix.
- Only ejabberd lists a macOS app.
- ejabberd is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Pidgin also covers file sharing.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Pidgin free?
Yes. Pidgin is free to use.
How much does Pidgin cost?
Pidgin lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Pidgin work on?
Pidgin is available on Windows and Linux.
Does Pidgin have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pidgin is listed for Windows and Linux.
Does Pidgin have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pidgin is listed for Windows and Linux.
Is Pidgin open source?
Yes. Pidgin is open source, according to its own site.
What does Pidgin integrate with?
Pidgin's listing names XMPP, IRC, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, GroupWise Messenger, Sametime, SILC and Zephyr.
Who makes Pidgin?
Pidgin is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Pidgin?
The closest alternatives to Pidgin in our directory are Jami, Matrix, Element, Openfire and ejabberd.
How does Pidgin compare with other team communication apps?
Pidgin's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 49 of the 75 other team communication apps we grade, and level with 10.
Is Pidgin good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Pidgin A for value for money. Pidgin has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Pidgin?
Pidgin is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Pidgin’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Pidgin's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Pidgin. Prices change, so check pidgin.im before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Pidgin, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/pidgin
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Pidgin: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/pidgin
Know someone choosing between team communication apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/pidgin/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded team communication apps after Pidgin, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Team Communication Insider's GuideEvery one of the 76 team communication apps we grade, compared
- Discord Insider's GuideFree text, voice and video chat built around servers3.6 GPA
- Pumble Insider's GuideTeam chat with unlimited message history on the free plan3.6 GPA
- Zoho Cliq Insider's GuideTeam chat, calls and meetings from the Zoho suite3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Pidgin’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Pidgin is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Pidgin. Prices and plans change: check pidgin.im before you buy.