Directory of E-Learning Tools: Instant messaging and voice call tools

These tools are for users to communicate with one another using instant text messaging as well as for voice and video calls over the Internet.

Key to Availability
Ł=cost; C =add code to web page/blog; D =download; H = hosted service; OS = Open source; FT=free trial

Top IM Tools
These are the tools voted Top Tools for Learning by learning professionals worldwide
** denotes one of the 25 tools in the Free Toolset for Learning 2008

Tool	Summary	Available
Adium	Instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, etc	Free	D
Google Talk	Instant messaging/voice call tool	Free	D
iChat	IM client	pre-installed on Mac
Meebo	Instant messaging everywhere	Free	H
Pidgin	Multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) (formerly GAIM)	Free	H
Skype	Free calls over the Internet and to landlines and for creating skypecasts	Free	D
Trillian	IM client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and IRC	Free	D
Windows Live Messenger	Instant messaging tool - 2nd generation version of MSN Messenger	Free	D

Other IM Tools

Tool	Summary	Available
24im	Group-based enterprise IM	Free	D
AIM	AOL Instant Messenger	Free	D
AirTalkr	One login for all your IM services	Free	D/H
Anothr	Skype-based RSS robot	Free	D
Answer.im	IM answering service	Free	H
Babble	Make free calls over the Internet	Free	D
BuddyFetch	Search for new friends on all major Social Networks, Instant Messenger, and Dating sites on the Internet	Free	H
Buddyspace	Power messaging, maps and more	Free	D
CallBurner	Record Skype Calls	Ł	D	FT
Call Graph	Record Skype calls	F	D
Call Recorder	Record Skype calls and podcast interviews (for Mac OS)	Ł	D
CatalystOffice	Integrated suite of software: email, document management, calendar, contacts, and instant messaging	Ł	H	FT
ChatSure	Feature rich web-based enterprise instant messaging (IM) service that enables you to set and enforce security.	Ł	H	FT
ComBOTS	Next generation communication tool: more than email and IM	Free	D
Cynapse	Enterprise instant messaging	Ł	D
Digsby	IM, email and social networks in one easy to use application	Free	D
eBuddy	Web and mobile messaging	Free	H
EQO Mobile	All-in-one mobile global communication system: global voice calling, SMS and IM	Free	D
Festoon	IM group voice, video and video messaging	Free	D
Freecorder	Record Skype calls with one click	Ł	D	FT
Gizmo5	Make free calls over the Internet	Free	D
Google Apps Premier Edition	Intended for small businesses, schools etc: Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Talk accounts that use your own custom domain also Docs & Spreadsheets	Ł	H
goowy	Tools for communicating and sharing on the web	Free	H
GroovyNotes	Send browser-to-browser instant messages (requires Firefox).	Free	D
hictu	Service to integrate different IM accounts	Free	H
HotRecorder for VoIP	Advanced tool that allows you to record conversations held over the Internet	Ł	D	FT
iGlance	Tiny program for talking and sharing over the internet	Free	D
Imified	IM buddy (on all major IM networks) offering access to web applications including productivity tools like notes, reminders, and to do organisers	Free	H
imo.im	Lets Facebook users IM and video chat with friends on Facebook, AIM, Google Talk, MSN, and Yahoo	Free	H
imvu	3D avatar chat	Free	D
ineen	Instant messaging, audio and video conferencing tool	Free	D
Instantbird	Multi-protocol Instant Messaging client.	Free	D	OS
iSkoot	Make and receive Skype calls on your mobile phone	Free	D

Jabber MomentIM	Programmable Windows desktop instant messaging client	Free	F
Jabbify	Jabbify is 'INSTANT' instant-messaging for your website	Free	C
Jajah	Voice calling from your PC	Free	H
Jangl	Enter an email address and you'll get a phone number to call them	Free	H
Jargong	Mobile phone application to give you access to your IM contacts	Free	D
Loopnote	Send multi-channel messages	Free	H
Lotus Sametime	Enterprise instant messaging and team collaboration capabilities	Ł	D
LoudTalks	Talk to your friends or colleagues instantly with a single touch of a button	Free	D
Mabber	Integrates ICQ, MSN, AIM, Yahoo and Jabber in one web browser-based instant messenger	Free	H
Meetro	Combines the best features of messengers and social networks together with location	Free	H
MeGlobe	Instant Messaging application that also performs real time language translations	Free	H
MessengerFX	Access your MSN Messenger account online	Free	H
Miranda	Multi protocol instant messaging	Free	D
MSG	Instant messaging tool	Free	H
Msgr	Web service where you can use to create your own instant messenger. For free if less than 25 members sign up for your messenger	Free	D
mundu IM	Mobile instant messaging	Ł	D	FT
Nanolive Messenger	Flash Web Messenger (free package available)	Free	C
ooVoo	Next evolution in online communication via video conversations	Free	D
OpenTalk	Voice and video conferencing	Free	D
orgoo	Integrated email accounts, IM accounts, SMS, video messaging	Free	H
paltalk.com	Video chat tool	Free	D
Pamela for Skype	Personal digital assistant for Skype (Basic version is free)	Free	D
Pando Extra for Skype	Adds enhanced file transfer functionality to your Skype client	Free	D
PeerMe	Instant messaging tool	Free	D
Pibb	Combines the best features of instant messenger, chat, email, and bulletin boards	Free	H
Powergramo	Recorder for Skype calls (free and paid for versions)	Free	D
Pownce	Send messages, files, links, etc and create a network of the people you know	Free	H
PrettyMay	Skype add-on voice plugin to record and replay calls	Ł	D	FT
Powergramo	Recorder for Skype calls (free and paid for versions)	Ł	D	FT
Pronto	Instant messaging and voice chat tool that works with course management systems like Blackboard	Free	D
radiusIM	"IM at its most IMest"	Free	H
Raketu	IM and voice calls	Free	D
Sightspeed	Video and voice calling	Free	D
SIM-IM	SIM provides a plugins-based instant messenger	Free	D
Skinkers	Information broadcast tool	Ł	D
Skylook	Record Skype calls. Get SMS alerts. Voicemail in Inbox, Outlook reminders via phone and more	Ł	D	FT
Snimmer	Instant messaging service that lets you chat with any one on any network	Free	H
Thinkature	Instant messaging combined with Shared visual workspace	Free	H
Unyte	View a desktop or share documents (Skype plugin)	Free	D
VelvetPuffin	IM meets social networking: chat, blog, poll, view photos & videos in one integrated application.	Free	D
Wablet	Communications platform that integrates caller ID to allow anyone to connect with anyone from a web page.	Free	H
Yahoo Messenger	Instant messaging with voice and video	Free	D
Yuuguu	Screen sharing, application sharing, instant messaging	Free	D
Zimbie	Zimbots are IM services that appear on your contact list. IMpReSS (RSS over IM) sends RSS alerts to blog subscribers.	Free	D