The iPhone offers up a handful of IM apps, but IM+ works best. It’s easy to set up, has an intuitive interface, supports many chat protocols, offers encrypted chats, and is available for free.
IM+
Platform: iOS
Price: Free (with paid add-ons and pro version for $5)
Download Page
Note: Our favorite IM client used to be imo, but they dropped support for other services. This isn’t to diminish our current choice in any way, but to let you know why imo is no longer a part of this post.
Features
Supports multiple chat protocols: AIM/ICQ, Facebook, Google Talk, MSN/Windows Live, Neighbors, and Beep.
Concurrent sessions allow you to be logged in on your desktop while also being logged in on your phone.
Push notifications will let you know when you receive a new message, even when the app is in the background.
Supports video, voice, and photo messages.
Access your chat history from the app or in any web browser.
Settings sync with iCloud.
Apps are available for many other platforms, so you can use IM+ if you have an Android tablet (or whatever else).
Supports OTR (Off the Record) end-to-end encryption.
Simple interface with colorful chat bubbles.
Easily set your status.
Where It Excels
IM+ provides a very simple interface yet offers plenty of features (seen above). It takes just moments to set up your accounts and start chatting. It’ll easily import friend/buddy lists with your accounts and have you up and running in minutes. You can sync all your settings with iCloud if you have multiple devices, like an iPad. IM+’s exists in the web, so even if you don’t have a supported device onhand (of which there are many) with the app installed, you can check your chat history and actually chat from pretty much any web browser. You’re not limited by message type, either. You can just send text, or add video, audio, and/or photos, too.
Where It Falls Short
IM+ doesn’t leave much to complain about. It’s easy to use and works well. Some users have complained about connectivity issues here and there, but we haven’t experienced this problem and these problems are the minority. IM+ comes with ads, which is to be expected with a free app. You can pay $4 in-app or buy the pro version to remove them. It’s not a huge fee considering you’re probably going to get free updates for the rest of eternity.
The Competition
BeejiveIM is another popular option but costs $5. It’s very similar to IM+ and is a good choice. But if you want a free app, IM+ is your go-to.
Verb offers minimalism, but users have complained that push notifications have become very unreliable. You’re welcome to give it a try—it’s a good app in theory—but it’s a bit outdated and most people seem to have problems with it.
Instant messaging apps worth noting seem to be dropping off the app store. People are using proprietary services more now than anything, and our previous choice (imo) decided to drop support for third-party services in favor of its own service. As a result, we’ll have a new app directory entry in the future to look at these alternative options as well.
Lifehacker’s App Directory is a new and growing directory of recommendations for the best applications and tools in a number of given categories. This week, we’re focusing on IM clients.
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