If you are a regular user of the Linux operating system, then you will know that one of the main messaging platforms we can find in it is Gaim, which, although few know it, also has a version designed for Windows. Indeed, in this case, we are talking about Pidgin, the application to communicate that interests us, as it is one of the best possible alternatives for our PC today.

The first thing you must consider when we talk about Pidgin is that it is compatible with most of the current messaging networks, so it becomes a client that seldom needs compliments. On the other hand, its customization is almost absolute, considering that it has all kinds of plugins and extensions we can download to dress it up as we like.

Operation

One of the main features that users are looking for today in any instant messaging client is the possibility of opening several accounts simultaneously. For that reason, Pidgin stands out among those in its field. Thanks to it, you can keep open several accounts of the main instant messaging applications that interest you and have your chats simultaneously without restrictions.

With the conversations open, Pidgin lets you perform the most traditional actions of programs of this type, such as transferring files, sending text, and adding emoticons or emojis, among other questions of personalization of the messages. That is to say, you will not miss the same possibilities if you install each instant messaging network on its own, which is very valuable.

In the same way, we liked that when we open several chats in Pidgin; we can organize the conversations by tabs, something basic for much more intuitive navigation within your conversations. We always have notifications about new messages without losing sight of the classic window that appears accompanied by a sound, as in the historic MSN Messenger.

And what messaging platforms can I open from Pidgin? Almost anyone you can think of, although if we had to mention a few, we could talk about the following: Google Talk, Yahoo! IM, Jabber, Live Messenger, ICQ, etc. As you can see, its ability to adapt to almost all the famous programs within this segment is one of its main virtues.

Even, and unlike what happens with some other services that we could consider similar, it must be said that Pidgin is compatible with Skype, the Microsoft video calling service. However, from this platform, we can not start videos; we only send a text to those with an account. That will save you many times having to open Skype next to your messaging client, which is appreciated.

And if you were one of those Messenger users who always modified their statuses, you should not lose sight that Pidgin has a section that will allow you to edit yours as many times as you want to add your favorite phrases or emoticons. There are also functions such as alerts that indicate that a contact is writing in a chat, and so on.

The Pidgin user interface is one of the pleasant surprises we have had in this approach to one of the most popular instant messaging clients today, especially from the point of view of how easy it is. We have already mentioned that moving between its tools is very simple, but it is also that connecting to the network we want for the first time takes no more than a second.

The best

Suppose we had to highlight the main positive aspects of Pidgin. In that case, the most important thing is that this network allows us to connect to virtually all existing messaging networks today. To this, we must add that, in general terms, its operation is agile and stable and that the interface, with its tabbed layout, makes it very easy to move between content.

The worst

Meanwhile, what we liked least about Pidgin can be explained in two aspects. The first of these is almost unforgivable at this stage without a video call section, considering that this is an increasingly common communication format. And the second, with certain failures in the connections with the different servers that we have noticed at times which has left a bad taste in our mouths.

Evaluation

In conclusion, we can say that Pidgin is one of the best options we have at our disposal in case we are looking for an instant messaging client that allows us to nucleate our accounts of several networks within this segment. If you are trying not to consume so many resources on your PC but still keep your conversations with all messaging apps open simultaneously, here, you have a luxury assistant.