Any good Telegram alternative?

submitted 4 months ago by TheDorkfromYork@lemm.ee

I tried SimpleX but the VPN kill switch on my phone prevents syncing with my computer.

I use telegram primarily as a note taking app with sync features.

Occasionally I send files to friends, so having easy set up for tech illiterate would be great.

39

Back to main discussion

4 months ago

It's probably 15 years ago I used XMPP the last time. Back then there were many compatibility problems between the apps and especially on the mobile phone with push notifications, etc. There were problems sending media and VOIP calls were non existent outside of the Google clients.

My guess is that some of those things improved but I have not heard anyone in my circles using it, especially since Matrix became a bit more popular, most of the Open Source projects on IRC also moved to Matrix.

4 months ago

Yeah, XMPP has changed a loooott since then.

XMPP's main problems at the moment are clients, in my opinion. There's 3 main clients for PC; one is 100% python (including frontend) and breaks semi-regularly, one does not officially support Windows and thus cuts out a large portion of the community + doesn't have as many features as others, and one lacks features and looks extremely outdated. The state on iOS is even worse as well, and Android is *fine* but could be better.

If you're considering XMPP again, I'd recommend waiting a few months for Prose https://prose.org/ to fully release, it looks like it'll improve the experience a lot.

Can you provide names of these clients you’re mentioning?

4 months ago

Python: Gajim Doesn't support Windows: Dino Outdated: PSI+

Dino is nice in GNOME as it's native Gtk which gets you a nicely integrated and modern look and feel. It's a little low on feature but fully usable.

4 months ago

most of the Open Source projects on IRC also moved to Matrix.

No, they moved to libera.chat

4 months ago , edited 4 months ago

yeah, it's "a considerable amount", not "the most"