Category detail page

Free Instant Messaging

This category collects instant messaging services and resources from the original old free online resources list. It includes 20 links with Wayback references, status notes, short descriptions, favicon badges when available, and live links when a current site is still useful. Example entries include AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger.

Browse 20 links Back to main category
20links in this category
12archive-first links
8live-first links
3eras represented

Category notes

What is in this category

This category collects instant messaging services and resources from the original old free online resources list. It includes 20 links with Wayback references, status notes, short descriptions, favicon badges when available, and live links when a current site is still useful. Example entries include AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger.

Era totals

1990s: 7 Early 2000s: 7 Mid-2000s: 6

Status totals

Defunct or closed: 11 Active or preserved: 8 Changed over time: 1

Service links

Free Instant Messaging directory

Use the cards for quick browsing or the table for a compact full list. Older, changed, or closed services open through Wayback first.

20 links showing

  • AIM

    AIM is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    1990s Defunct or closed Archive link first aim.com
    Archive Live
  • ICQ

    ICQ is an instant messaging entry from the 1990s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    1990s Active or preserved Live link first icq.com
    Archive Live
  • MSN Messenger

    MSN Messenger is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    1990s Defunct or closed Archive link first msn.com
    Archive Live
  • Yahoo Messenger

    Yahoo Messenger is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    1990s Defunct or closed Archive link first yahoo.com
    Archive Live
  • Trillian

    Trillian is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Free tier, active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    Early 2000s Active or preserved Live link first trillian.im
    Archive Live
  • Miranda IM

    Miranda IM is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    Early 2000s Active or preserved Live link first miranda-im.org
    Archive Live
  • Pidgin

    Pidgin is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    Early 2000s Active or preserved Live link first pidgin.im
    Archive Live
  • Jabber

    Jabber is an instant messaging entry from the 1990s web. It is marked "Active protocol", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    1990s Active or preserved Live link first jabber.org
    Archive Live
  • Adium

    Adium is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    Early 2000s Defunct or closed Archive link first adium.im
    Archive Live
  • Gaim

    Gaim is an instant messaging entry that changed from its original free-web era form. The Wayback link is the best primary reference for old versions.

    Early 2000s Changed over time Archive link first gaim.sourceforge.net
    Archive Live
  • Meebo

    Meebo is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Archive link first meebo.com
    Archive Live
  • Palringo

    Palringo is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Archive link first palringo.com
    Archive Live
  • e-Messenger

    e-Messenger is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    Early 2000s Defunct or closed Archive link first e-messenger.net
    Archive Live
  • IMVU

    IMVU is an instant messaging entry from the Mid-2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    Mid-2000s Active or preserved Live link first imvu.com
    Archive Live
  • Chatango

    Chatango is an instant messaging entry from the Mid-2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    Mid-2000s Active or preserved Live link first chatango.com
    Archive Live
  • Odigo

    Odigo is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    1990s Defunct or closed Archive link first odigo.org
    Archive Live
  • PowWow

    PowWow is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    1990s Defunct or closed Archive link first powwow.com
    Archive Live
  • Gizmo5

    Gizmo5 is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Archive link first gizmo5.com
    Archive Live
  • Google Talk

    Google Talk is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function.

    Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Archive link first talk.google.com
    Archive Live
  • Skype

    Skype is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Free tier, active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures.

    Early 2000s Active or preserved Live link first skype.com
    Archive Live

Compact table

All Free Instant Messaging entries

Icon Service Description Main link Era Status Archive Archive target
AIM AIM is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive 1990s Defunct or closed Wayback aim.com
ICQ ICQ is an instant messaging entry from the 1990s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live 1990s Active or preserved Wayback icq.com
MSN Messenger MSN Messenger is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive 1990s Defunct or closed Wayback msn.com
Yahoo Messenger Yahoo Messenger is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive 1990s Defunct or closed Wayback yahoo.com
Trillian Trillian is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Free tier, active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live Early 2000s Active or preserved Wayback trillian.im
Miranda IM Miranda IM is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live Early 2000s Active or preserved Wayback miranda-im.org
Pidgin Pidgin is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live Early 2000s Active or preserved Wayback pidgin.im
Jabber Jabber is an instant messaging entry from the 1990s web. It is marked "Active protocol", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live 1990s Active or preserved Wayback jabber.org
Adium Adium is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive Early 2000s Defunct or closed Wayback adium.im
Gaim Gaim is an instant messaging entry that changed from its original free-web era form. The Wayback link is the best primary reference for old versions. Archive Early 2000s Changed over time Wayback gaim.sourceforge.net
Meebo Meebo is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Wayback meebo.com
Palringo Palringo is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Wayback palringo.com
e-Messenger e-Messenger is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive Early 2000s Defunct or closed Wayback e-messenger.net
IMVU IMVU is an instant messaging entry from the Mid-2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live Mid-2000s Active or preserved Wayback imvu.com
Chatango Chatango is an instant messaging entry from the Mid-2000s web. It is marked "Active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live Mid-2000s Active or preserved Wayback chatango.com
Odigo Odigo is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive 1990s Defunct or closed Wayback odigo.org
PowWow PowWow is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive 1990s Defunct or closed Wayback powwow.com
Gizmo5 Gizmo5 is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Wayback gizmo5.com
Google Talk Google Talk is an instant messaging entry listed as defunct or closed. The Wayback Machine link is used first because the live site may no longer function. Archive Mid-2000s Defunct or closed Wayback talk.google.com
Skype Skype is an instant messaging entry from the Early 2000s web. It is marked "Free tier, active", so the live site is the primary link with Wayback kept for older captures. Live Early 2000s Active or preserved Wayback skype.com
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