|
Instant Messaging, Voice and Video 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
£=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 |
|
|
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 |
£ |
D |
FT |
|
Call Graph |
Record Skype
calls |
F |
D |
|
|
Call Recorder |
Record Skype
calls and podcast interviews (for Mac OS) |
£ |
D |
|
|
CatalystOffice |
Integrated suite of software: email, document
management, calendar, contacts, and instant messaging |
£ |
H |
FT |
|
ComBOTS |
Next
generation communication tool: more than email and IM |
Free |
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 |
£ |
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 |
£ |
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 |
£ |
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 |
|
|
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 |
£ |
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 |
|
|
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 |
£ |
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 |
£ |
D |
FT |
|
Powergramo |
Recorder for
Skype calls (free and paid for versions) |
£ |
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 |
£ |
D |
|
|
Skylook |
Record Skype calls. Get SMS alerts.
Voicemail in Inbox, Outlook reminders via phone and more |
£ |
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 |
|
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