Looking for free web chat? Want to IM and chat with friends on the web without a download? Up until a few years ago, people who wanted to IM with friends were required to sign up for a screenname, then download and install client software. After 2000, a string of open-source clients came along allowing users to download and use a single program to access contacts across multiple IM networks.
Today, however, web-based IMs are gaining in popularity, allowing users to access to free web chat with all their friends and even new people through a single web site.
The Clients
The following list highlights just some of the best web-based IM clients, based on our own user testing:
- AIM Express: This pared down, bare bones version of the AIM IM client offers AIM users the access they seek without a download. Sign-in is simple and AIM Express offers just enough features to make it a viable alternative to the real thing. Start using AIM Express.
- Ajax IM: Named after the tools used to create similar browser-based IMs, Ajax IM gives users the opportunity to launch their own IM client for their blog, website or social networking experiments. The client works similarly to the clients mentioned above, but does not allow users to connect with contacts on popular standard IM clients, such as AIM or Yahoo!. Download is free on Ajax’s website.
- Gmail: While not technically a wed-based IM but a free e-mail client, Gmail now allows users to chat with all their contacts from Google Talk. Also features support for Gmail Webcam/Audio chat.
- KoolIM: For students and employees facing the grave circumstance of firewalls and proxy servers on their school or work networks, KoolIM is great browser-based messenger to use when communication is absolutely necessary. This client allows users to sign up for a free account to manage screennames and passwords for AIM, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ, Gadu Gadu and Xfire; users can also sign in to each messenger individually, although an account is recommended.
- Meebo: Launched in September 2005, Meebo is one of the fastest-growing broswer-based IMs, with users exchanging over 100 million instant messages, according to their website. The client allows users to log on and chat with contacts from AIM, Yahoo!, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber; users also have the option of signing up for a free account, managing client screennames and passwords and making future sign-ins easier. Meebo also offers Meebo Rooms, dedicated user chatrooms allowing multiple contacts to converse in one single chat window.
- Yahoo! Mail Messenger: Another pared down version, Yahoo! Mail Messenger offers the same IM access the Yahoo! Messenger IM client does, only inside the new Yahoo! Mail. Start using Yahoo! Mail Messenger.
