{{Short description|Open-source multi-platform instant messaging client}} {{Redirect|Gaim}} {{About|the instant messenger|coding|pidgin code}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox software | name = Pidgin | logo = Pidgin.svg | logo_caption = Logo of Pidgin IM | logo_size = 100px | logo_alt = Pidgin logo | screenshot = Pidgin 2.10.9.png | screenshot_size = 250px | screenshot_alt = Pidgin's buddy list | caption = Pidgin's buddy list window in Trisquel | developer = The Pidgin Project | released = {{start date and age|1998|12|31}} (as Gaim)<!-- per archived User Guide --> | latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71380|P348|P548=Q2804309}} | latest release date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q71380|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}} | latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q71380|P348|P548=Q51930650}} | latest preview date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q71380|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}} | programming language = C | platform = Linux<br/>macOS (unofficial)<br/>Microsoft Windows<br/>Solaris (unofficial)<br/>FreeBSD <br/>NetBSD (unofficial)<br/>OpenBSD (unofficial) | language = Multiple languages<ref>{{cite web |title=About Pidgin |url=https://pidgin.im/about/ |publisher=The Pidgin Project |access-date=May 25, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114215421/https://pidgin.im/about/ |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> | genre = Instant messaging client | license = GPL-3.0-or-later }}
'''Pidgin''' (formerly named '''Gaim''') is a free and open-source instant messaging client for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and other platforms. Based on the library named '''libpurple''', it supports multiple instant messaging protocols and allows users to connect to different services from a single interface.
Originally created in 1998 as ''GAIM'' by Mark Spencer, the software was renamed Pidgin in 2007 following a trademark settlement with AOL.<ref name="mook2007">{{cite web |last=Mook |first=Nate |title=Gaim IM Client Renamed to 'Pidgin' |url=https://betanews.com/2007/04/09/gaim-im-client-renamed-to-pidgin/ |work=BetaNews |date=April 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014005620/https://betanews.com/2007/04/09/gaim-im-client-renamed-to-pidgin/ |archive-date=October 14, 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> It supports end-to-end encryption through the Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR) plugin and is included by default in the privacy-focused operating system Tails.<ref name="tails">{{cite web |url=https://tails.boum.org/doc/anonymous_internet/pidgin/index.en.html |title=Chatting with Pidgin and OTR |website=Tails |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> On July 6, 2015, Pidgin scored seven out of seven on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's secure messaging scorecard.<ref name="eff-sms" /> Development of Pidgin 3, a major rewrite, began with preview releases in late 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Peacock |first=Graeme |title=This classic chat app was way ahead of its time, and it's still alive 25 years later |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/this-classic-chat-app-was-way-ahead-of-its-time-and-its-still-alive-years-later/ |work=How-To Geek |date=March 18, 2026 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
== History == [[File:Gaim-buddylist-2.0.0b6.png|thumb|right|alt=Screenshot of the Gaim buddy list window|Gaim 2.0.0 beta 6 running under GNOME 2.16.0]]
The program was originally written by Mark Spencer, an Auburn University sophomore, as an emulation of AOL's IM program AOL Instant Messenger on Linux using the GTK+ toolkit.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |last=Herper |first=Matthew |title=Better Instant Messaging Through Linux |url=https://www.forbes.com/2002/07/16/0716tentech.html |website=Forbes |access-date=March 17, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215546/http://www.forbes.com/2002/07/16/0716tentech.html |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |date=July 16, 2002 |url-status=deviated}}</ref> The earliest archived release was on December 31, 1998.<ref>{{cite web |title=User Guide |last=Crawford |first=J. |year=1999 |publisher=marko.net |quote=the file date is December 31, 1998 |url=http://www.marko.net/gaim/uguide.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990508005552/http://www.marko.net/gaim/uguide.html |archive-date=May 8, 1999 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> It was named GAIM (''GTK+ AOL Instant Messenger'') accordingly. The emulation was not based on reverse engineering, but instead relied on information about the protocol that AOL had published on the web. Development was assisted by some of AOL's technical staff.<ref name="forbes"/><ref>{{cite web |title=GAIM: GTK+ America OnLine Instant Messenger |work=Original project home page |publisher=marko.net |last=Spencer |first=Mark |year=1998 |url=http://www.marko.net/gaim/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990210175349/http://www.marko.net/gaim/ |archive-date=February 10, 1999}}</ref> Support for other IM protocols was added soon thereafter.<ref name="forbes"/>
In response to pressure from AOL, the program was renamed to the acronymous-but-lowercase ''gaim''. As AOL Instant Messenger gained popularity, AOL trademarked its acronym, "AIM", leading to a lengthy legal struggle with the creators of GAIM, who kept the matter largely secret.<ref name="mook2007" />
On April 6, 2007, the project development team announced the results of their settlement with AOL, which included a series of name changes: ''Gaim'' became ''Pidgin'', ''libgaim'' became ''libpurple'', and ''gaim-text'' (the command-line interface version) became ''Finch''. The name Pidgin was chosen in reference to the term "pidgin", which describes communication between people who do not share a common language.<ref name="Important">{{cite web |url=http://pidgin.im/index.php?id=177 |title=Important and Long Delayed News |publisher=pidgin.im |date=April 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408150853/http://www.pidgin.im/index.php?id=177 |archive-date=April 8, 2007 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Corbet |first=Jonathan |title=Gaim becomes Pidgin |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/229590/ |work=LWN.net |date=April 8, 2007 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> The name "purple" refers to <code>prpl</code>, the internal libgaim name for an IM protocol plugin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/PidginCommunity#Whatswiththenamelibpurpleanyway |title=What's with the name libpurple, anyway? |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
Due to the legal issues, version 2.0 of the software was frozen in beta stages. Following the settlement, it was announced that the first official release of Pidgin 2.0.0 was hoped to occur during the two weeks from April 8, 2007.<ref name="Important" /> However, Pidgin 2.0 was not released as scheduled; Pidgin developers announced on April 22, 2007, that the delay was due to the preferences directory "<code>.gaim</code>".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pidgin.im/index.php?id=178 |publisher=pidgin.im |title=Working towards 2.0.0 |date=April 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425193748/http://pidgin.im/index.php?id=178 |archive-date=April 25, 2007 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
Pidgin 2.0.0 was released on May 3, 2007. Other visual changes were made to the interface in this version, including updated icons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pidgin.im/~seanegan/blog/identity.html |title=Identity vs. Account Orientation |date=April 30, 2007 |first=Sean |last=Egan |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504050033/http://pidgin.im/~seanegan/blog/identity.html |archive-date=May 4, 2007}}</ref> By 2007, the number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over three million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schierer |first=Luke |title=Luke Schierer discusses Pidgin, Open source and life |url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1641709366;pp;1;fp;2;fpid;4 |work=PC World Australia |date=October 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208121742/http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1641709366;pp;1;fp;2;fpid;4 |archive-date=February 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
On July 6, 2015, Pidgin scored seven out of seven points on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's secure messaging scorecard.<ref name="eff-sms">{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/secure-messaging-scorecard |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation |title=Secure Messaging Scorecard: Which apps and tools actually keep your messages safe? |date=November 4, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528211829/https://www.eff.org/secure-messaging-scorecard |archive-date=May 28, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Pidgin received marks for encrypting communications in transit, supporting end-to-end encryption, allowing users to verify correspondent identities, providing forward secrecy, publishing its source code for independent review, documenting its security design, and undergoing recent independent security audits.<ref name="eff-sms" />
=== Pidgin 3 ===
Pidgin 3.0.0 Experimental 1, a preview release of Pidgin 3 versioned as 2.90, was announced and subsequently released on December 31, 2024 after many years of development.<ref name="borisov">{{cite news |last=Borisov |first=Bobby |title=After 16 Years, Pidgin 3 Takes Its First Steps |url=https://linuxiac.com/after-16-years-pidgin-3-takes-its-first-steps/ |access-date=April 25, 2025 |work=Linuxiac |date=November 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://discourse.imfreedom.org/t/pidgin-3-0-experimental-1-has-been-released/227 |title=Pidgin 3.0.0 Experimental 1 Has been Released! |website=IMFreedom |date=January 2025 |access-date=January 1, 2025}}</ref> It was shipped with IRC support, with more protocols being expected to be added in future versions.<ref name="borisov"/> In April 2025, version 2.91, a second preview release of Pidgin 3, was released.<ref>{{cite news |last=Proven |first=Liam |title=Remember Pidgin, formerly GAIM? It's coming back |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/13/pidgin_chat_client_uopdate/ |access-date=April 25, 2025 |work=The Register |date=April 13, 2025}}</ref> Version 2.95 (alpha) followed in April 2026, adding Zulip as an in-tree protocol plugin.<ref>{{cite news |last=Borisov |first=Bobby |title=Pidgin 3.0 Messaging Client Moves from Experimental Build to Alpha |url=https://linuxiac.com/pidgin-3-0-messaging-client-moves-from-experimental-build-to-alpha/ |work=Linuxiac |date=April 4, 2026 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
== Features == [[File:Pidgin Screenshot Ubuntu.png|thumb|left|alt=Screenshot of Pidgin's buddy list and chat window on Ubuntu|Pidgin running on Ubuntu]]
Pidgin provides a graphical front-end for libpurple using GTK+.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/WhatIsLibpurple |title=What Is Libpurple – Pidgin – Trac |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Libpurple supports many instant-messaging protocols.
Pidgin supports multiple operating systems, including Windows and many Unix-like systems such as Linux and the BSDs. It is included by default in the privacy-focused operating system Tails.<ref name="tails" />
=== Pluggability ===
The program is designed to be extended with plugins. Plugins may be written in C, C#, Perl, Python, or Tcl. They can be used to add support for protocols, which is useful for those such as Skype or Discord which have licensing issues (however, the users' data and interactions are still subject to their policies and eavesdropping). They can also add other significant features. For example, the "Off-the-Record Messaging" (OTR) plugin provides end-to-end encryption.
The TLS encryption system is pluggable, allowing different TLS libraries to be easily substituted. GnuTLS is the default, and NSS is also supported. Some operating systems' ports, such as OpenBSD's, choose to use OpenSSL or LibreSSL by default instead.
=== Contacts ===
Contacts with multiple protocols can be grouped into one single contact instead of managing multiple protocols, and contacts can be given aliases or placed into groups.
To reach users as they log on or a status change occurs (such as moving from "Away" to "Available"), Pidgin supports on-action automated scripts called ''Buddy Pounces'' to automatically reach the user in customizable ways.
=== File transfer ===
Pidgin supports file transfers for many protocols. Direct, peer-to-peer file transfers are supported over protocols such as XMPP.
=== Voice and video chat ===
As of version 2.6 (released on August 18, 2009), Pidgin supports voice/video calls using Farstream.<ref name="changelog">{{cite web |url=https://pidgin.im/ChangeLog |title=ChangeLog |publisher=The Pidgin Project |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> In the 2.x branch, calls can only be initiated through the XMPP protocol.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/vv |title=Voice and Video |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Voice and video support is being redesigned for version 3.0.<ref name="borisov" />
=== Miscellaneous ===
Further features include support for themes, emoticons, spell checking, and notification area integration.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Pidgin |url=https://pidgin.im/about/ |publisher=The Pidgin Project |access-date=May 25, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114215421/https://pidgin.im/about/ |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Supported protocols === The following protocols are officially supported by Pidgin 2.14.14 (released January 23, 2025), without any extensions or plugins:<ref name="homepage">{{cite web |url=https://pidgin.im/ |title=Pidgin |publisher=The Pidgin Project |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref><ref name="changelog" />
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}} * Gadu-Gadu * IRC * Novell GroupWise<ref name="birdq4">{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qzsz6CeCTULsywtHbUznlZLuef7bsi_fVjfIxoAr8Ek/edit#slide=id.p |title=State of the Bird Q4 2022 |last=Kramlich |first=Gary |access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref> * SIMPLE * XMPP * Zephyr {{div col end}}
Some XMPP servers provide transports, which allow users to access networks using non-XMPP protocols without having to install plugins or additional software. Pidgin's support for XMPP means that these transports can be used to communicate via otherwise unsupported protocols, including not only instant messaging protocols, but also protocols such as SMS or email.
Additional protocols, supported by third-party plugins, include Discord,<ref name="Discord">{{cite web |url=https://github.com/EionRobb/purple-discord |title=purple-discord GitHub repository |website=GitHub |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Telegram,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/majn/telegram-purple |title=telegram-purple: Adds support for Telegram to Pidgin, Adium, Finch and other Libpurple-based messengers |website=GitHub |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Microsoft OCS/LCS (extended SIP/SIMPLE),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sipe.sourceforge.net/ |title=SIPE Project |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> and Signal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/hoehermann/libpurple-signald |title=libpurple-signald |website=GitHub |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
=== Plugins === Various other features are supported using third-party plugins.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/ThirdPartyPlugins |title=Pidgin Third-Party Plugins |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Such features include:
* End-to-end encryption through Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR) * microblogs (GNU social, Twitter) * Adding mathematical formulas written in LaTeX to conversations * Notifications (such as showing "toaster" popups or Snarl notifications, or lighting LEDs on laptops) * Showing contacts what the user is listening to in various media players * Watching videos directly into a conversation when receiving a video sharing website link (YouTube, Vimeo)
== Criticisms == The libpurple codebase has been described as "known for its bountiful security bugs".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greenberg |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Greenberg |title=Tor Just Launched the Easiest App Yet for Anonymous, Encrypted IM |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/10/tor-just-launched-the-easiest-app-yet-for-anonymous-encrypted-im/ |magazine=Wired |date=October 31, 2015 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Security vulnerabilities were found in OTR plugins using libpurple in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/09/open-source-security-auditing |title=EFF's Open Source Security Audit Uncovers Security Vulnerabilities in Messaging Software |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=September 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807102518/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/09/open-source-security-auditing |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
Starting in version 2.4, Pidgin removed the ability to manually resize the text input box, prompting a fork called Carrier (originally named Funpidgin).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/4986 |title=Ticket #4986 (closed enhancement: wontfix) – automatic chat input field resizing should be optional, regression from 2.3 |date=March 1, 2008 |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Paul |title=In Response to User Demand, Pidgin Forks |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/04/in-response-to-user-demand-pidgin-forks/ |work=Wired |date=April 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126111352/https://www.wired.com/2008/04/in-response-to-user-demand-pidgin-forks/ |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Malda |first=Rob |title=Pidgin Controversy Triggers Fork |url=https://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/30/1822237 |work=Slashdot |date=April 30, 2008 |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
Passwords are stored in a plaintext file readable by any program or user with access to the user's files.<ref name="keyring">{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/KeyringSupport |title=KeyringSupport – Pidgin |date=July 3, 2014 |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref> Pidgin 3.0 plans to support password storage in system keyrings such as KWallet and the GNOME Keyring on Linux, Keychain on macOS, and the Windows Credential API.<ref name="keyring" /><ref name="birdq4" /><ref name="borisov" />
Pidgin does not support pausing or resuming file transfers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/5769 |title=Ticket #5769 (new enhancement) – Resume broken file transfers |date=May 11, 2008 |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/7486 |title=Ticket #7486 (closed enhancement: duplicate) – xdcc download-resuming-support |date=November 7, 2008 |publisher=pidgin.im |access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref>
== Other notable software based on libpurple == * Adium and the discontinued Proteus (both for macOS) * Meebo (web-based, discontinued)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.meebo.com/?p=464 |date=July 15, 2008 |title=meebo from the backside |publisher=meebo.com |access-date=October 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819230423/http://blog.meebo.com/?p=464 |archive-date=August 19, 2008}}</ref> * Telepathy Haze (provides libpurple protocol support for the Telepathy framework)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://telepathy.freedesktop.org/wiki/Components |title=Telepathy Wiki – Components |publisher=Telepathy.freedesktop.org |access-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref> * QuteCom (cross-platform VoIP and video client, discontinued) * Instantbird (cross-platform, based on Mozilla's Gecko engine; discontinued)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wiki.instantbird.org/Instantbird:FAQ#Who_makes_Instantbird.3F |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528132130/https://wiki.instantbird.org/Instantbird:FAQ#Who_makes_Instantbird.3F |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |title=Instantbird:FAQ – Instantbird Wiki |publisher=Wiki.instantbird.org |date=February 10, 2011 |access-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref>
BitlBee and Minbif are IRCd-like gateways to multiple IM networks, and can be compiled with libpurple to increase functionality.
== See also == {{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}} * Multiprotocol instant messaging application * Comparison of instant messaging protocols * Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients * Comparison of Internet Relay Chat clients * Online chat {{div col end}}
== References == {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links == {{Commons}} * {{Official website}}
{{Instant messaging}} {{IRC footer}}
Category:1998 software Category:Free software programmed in C Category:Instant messaging clients that use GTK Category:Windows instant messaging clients Category:Free XMPP clients Category:Free IRC clients Category:Windows IRC clients Category:Portable software Category:Cross-platform free software Category:Applications using D-Bus Category:Software that uses Meson Category:Software using the GNU General Public License