AIM Discontinued – 6 Secure Alternatives to AIM

AIM, aka AOL Instant Messenger, is now a relic of the past, but if you’re searching for the best alternatives to AIM, you can keep the chat going with these 6 alternative messaging services. While each of our featured messengers is geared for security to keep your conversations private, we’ll show you how to take it a step further by locking down your connection with VPN encryption.

Early internet users are bound to remember AOL Instant Messenger, aka AIM, the near ubiquitous messaging app of the early 2000s. If you used the internet back in its early days, the chances are good that you and your friends knew this popular program with its yellow stick figure icon and used it regularly for chatting.

However, like all things, AIM had to eventually come to an end. Similar to its parent company AOL, AIM has found itself outdated as users switched over from desktop messaging to mobile messaging in droves over the last 10 years. There just wasn’t the demand for a service like AIM any more, so at the end of 2017 the service was officially shut down.

If you’re a former AIM user, you’ll be looking for an option for a new messaging service to use. One issue that wasn’t given much thought back in the 2000s but which is a major concern now is security. With messaging being so popular now, many hackers try to target messaging apps, and governments try to pressure messaging services to hand over data about people they are investigating.

READ MORE: How to Protect Yourself from SMS Phishing

If you want a messaging app that is secure and that will keep your data private, then you need to look around to find a service with good levels of security. We’re here to help with this, with our recommendation for six secure alternatives to AIM now that the service has shut down.

What to Look for in Alternatives to AIM

Not all messaging apps are created equal, and the right one for you depends on what you actually need. Before diving into our recommendations for the best alternatives to AIM, here are the key criteria worth evaluating so you can make an informed choice:

• End-to-end encryption — default or optional? Some apps encrypt all messages automatically; others require you to manually enable a “secret” or “private” chat mode. Always check which applies, because optional encryption is easy to forget.
• Group chats and calls — are they encrypted too? End-to-end encryption on one-to-one messages does not automatically extend to group conversations or voice and video calls. Confirm what is actually covered.
• Metadata collection: Even if message content is encrypted, the service may still log who you message, how often, and when. That metadata can reveal a lot about your habits and relationships.
• Is a phone number required? Some apps tie your account to your phone number, which can limit anonymity. Others allow you to sign up with just a username or email address.
• Platform and device support: Check whether the app runs on all the platforms you use — Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS — and whether it also has a web or desktop client.
• Cross-device sync: Some encrypted apps deliberately do not sync messages across devices for security reasons. Decide whether convenience or maximum privacy matters more to you.
• Disappearing messages: The ability to set messages to auto-delete after a set period adds an extra layer of privacy, especially for sensitive conversations.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): This protects your account from being taken over even if your password is compromised.
• Open-source status: Apps with publicly available code can be independently audited by security researchers, which generally means flaws are found and fixed faster.
• Network effect — will your contacts actually use it? The most secure app in the world is not useful if none of your friends are on it. Consider what your social circle is likely to adopt.

With those criteria in mind, here is how the six alternatives to AIM below compare — Signal and Threema lead on privacy by default, Telegram requires careful attention to which chat mode you are using, Wire and Wickr are strong enterprise options, and WhatsApp wins on adoption but carries Facebook-related privacy trade-offs.

Secure Alternatives To AIM

When searching for alternatives to AIM, as well as the features you would think of like platforms supported, support for sending images and videos as well as text messages, and integration with your operating system, you should also consider security features like the availability of end-to-end encrypted chat and two factor authentication. Here are six secure alternatives to AIM to consider:

1. Signal

Signal was one of the first messaging apps to have an explicit focus on security, making it a pioneer in the field and one of the strongest alternatives to AIM for privacy-conscious users. It uses the Open Whisper System, which is an open source project — good for both transparency and security, because it’s easy for anyone to search the code and security flaws are found very quickly.

Other good security features of the app include end to end encryption which is run on the platform’s own infrastructure rather than using another service such as Google’s Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) network, which many other messaging apps use. The app has lots of functions including the ability to send attachments as well as messages, the ability to make VoIP calls, and a group messaging function.

It is worth noting that Signal is now a fully internet-based encrypted messenger and no longer supports SMS or MMS on Android — all communication happens over your data or Wi-Fi connection. Signal also supports disappearing messages, which automatically delete after a set time period you choose, giving you greater control over your conversation history.

You can verify that you are talking to the right person using safety numbers, a built-in contact verification feature. The app is available on Android, iOS, and as a desktop client for Windows, Mac, and Linux, with messages syncing across all your signed-in devices.

2. Telegram

Telegram has been getting a lot of press recently for its moves into the cryptocurrency market. But before the company got interested in the blockchain, Telegram had already established itself as one of the most widely used messaging apps, supporting massive groups of up to 75,000 members, which has made it popular for business use. Messages sync across devices, and you can send video and audio files as well as text messages.

However, it is important to understand Telegram’s encryption model before assuming it is fully private. Regular one-to-one chats, group chats, and channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default. They use server-side encryption, which means Telegram’s servers can access those messages. End-to-end encryption is only available in Secret Chats, which must be manually started for one-to-one conversations.

Secret Chats are also device-specific — they do not sync across your other devices. If privacy is your primary concern, you will need to remember to use Secret Chat mode for every sensitive conversation, and if that trade-off is a deal-breaker you can always learn how to remove Telegram account and switch to another service. On the account setup side, Telegram does require a phone number to register. Once signed up, you can hide your number from other users and set a username so contacts can find you without seeing your phone number directly, but providing a number at sign-up is mandatory.

The high profile of Telegram has led to it being singled out by officials in various countries as a concern because users can communicate without government interception — which is just what most users want to see from their messaging app.

RELATED READING: Russia Bans Telegram, VPN Use Soars

3. Threema

If you’re looking for anonymity as well as security, then Threema is the messaging app for you. Its unique feature is the ability to create and use a Threema ID which is not linked to your phone number, email address, or name. You can add this information if you want your friends to be able to find you, but if you want to remain anonymous then you can do that too.

You can use the Threema system to send text messages, voice calls, group chats, and file attachments, all through encrypted messages. Another nice feature is that the details of your friends and contacts are stored on your device, not in the cloud, which makes it much more secure. Best of all, messages are deleted immediately after delivery, which makes it practically impossible for anyone to track your communications. As one of the alternatives to AIM that prioritises anonymity from the ground up, Threema stands apart from most other options on this list.

4. Wickr

Wickr started off with an aim at business clients, making group chat features available which were designed for teams and enterprises to use. At first, the app used closed encryption which meant that its security was hard to assess, so it wasn’t clear if this app was a good choice for secure messaging. But last year Wickr chose to make its encryption protocol public and open source, allowing the security community to examine the protocol for any issues.

This open source end to end encryption system has proven to achieve a good level of security, and the app has received funding from major donors. If you’re looking for an enterprise-level secure messaging app for your business, Wickr is a great choice among alternatives to AIM for professional teams.

5. Wire

Wire is an app for both desktop and mobile that can also be used through a bunch of web browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera. The open source nature of the project generated goodwill within the software community and the fact that it is free attracted many users. It is mostly designed around sending text based messages, though there is a video calling feature too.

The app has always offered some degree of encryption — at launch it offered encryption between clients and the company — but now it has full end to end encryption to protect your privacy. The encryption protocol is based on Signal, which is a popular and well-tested methodology. However, some security concerns have been raised: although the contents of messages is private, the app does store a list of names of users who you have contacted, which means that outside observers could trace the relationships between you and the people you are messaging. Wire remains a solid pick among alternatives to AIM for users who want a polished desktop experience with strong encryption.

6. WhatsApp

Finally, we should mention one of the most popular messaging apps: WhatsApp, which has hundreds of millions of users across the globe. The company has a commitment to freedom of speech, driven by the experiences of Ukrainian CEO Jan Koum’s experiences with state censorship when he was growing up.

However, the fact that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook means that many people are suspicious of the platform’s security and commitment to privacy. Facebook is infamous for aggregating huge amounts of data about its users, and people suspect that WhatsApp could be part of this data collection activity too.

There are some good points about WhatsApp’s security, like its use of end to end encryption and the availability of two factor authentication for the app. The reason that most people opt to use WhatsApp is simply convenience — there are so many people who use the service already that it’s likely your friends already have the app. As one of the most accessible alternatives to AIM, WhatsApp wins on reach, but those who are concerned about privacy will probably want to opt for another messaging service due to the involvement of Facebook.

If You Want Something That Feels More Like Classic AIM

Not everyone searching for alternatives to AIM is primarily motivated by security. Some users simply want to recreate that classic AIM experience: a desktop-first interface, a visible buddy list showing who is online, lightweight text chat, and the ability to find people by username rather than phone number. If that sounds like you, here are a few categories worth exploring:

• Modern desktop messengers with presence indicators: Apps like Discord offer persistent servers, visible online status, and a channel-based chat structure that feels closer to the old buddy-list model than a typical mobile messenger. It is designed for communities and groups rather than one-to-one messaging, but the social dynamic will feel familiar to AIM veterans.
• Slack and team-focused chat tools: If you want AIM’s “always on, see who’s available” feel in a professional context, Slack and similar tools deliver visible status indicators, direct messaging, and lightweight text chat with a strong desktop client. These are primarily designed for workplace use but can be used for social groups too.
• XMPP-based clients: For users who want a decentralised, open-standard approach — closer in spirit to how AIM itself worked under the hood — XMPP (also known as Jabber) clients such as Gajim or Monal allow you to connect to open servers, use a username-style address, and see contact presence. Support and polish vary by client, but the protocol is well established.

The important trade-off to keep in mind is that many tools designed to replicate the old-school desktop chat experience do not prioritise end-to-end encryption in the same way that Signal or Threema do. If privacy is a genuine concern alongside the AIM-like experience, look for alternatives to AIM that offer both — and always check the encryption defaults before sharing anything sensitive.

Improve Your Messaging Security With A VPN

If you are concerned about your internet security in general and about preserving your privacy when using messaging apps in particular, then it’s good practice to use a VPN. This is a piece of software which encrypts all of the data that you send over the internet — whether it’s internet traffic, downloading files, or instant messages. This encryption makes it difficult or impossible for any outside observers to read your messages or to track your internet use. Not even your ISP will be able to see what you have been doing online and who you have been messaging.

That said, it is important to understand what a VPN can and cannot do for your messaging security. A VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN server, which hides your activity from your ISP and anyone snooping on your local network. However, a VPN does not replace app-level end-to-end encryption. If you use a messaging app that does not offer end-to-end encryption by default — or one where you have not enabled it — a VPN will not make those conversations private from the messaging provider itself.

A VPN also does not prevent a messaging service from collecting metadata it already has access to, such as who you message, how often, and at what times. For complete messaging security, a VPN works best as one layer in a broader approach. This is especially relevant when using any of the alternatives to AIM listed above — pairing a secure messenger with a VPN gives you the strongest overall protection. If you rely on mobile data for chat, our recommended VPNs for T-Mobile can help you choose a provider suited to that network.

Here are some practical steps you can take at the app level to strengthen your messaging security:

• Enable disappearing messages: Most secure messengers allow you to set messages to auto-delete after a chosen time period. This limits how long sensitive conversations remain accessible on your device or your contact’s.
• Verify contact safety codes or keys: Apps like Signal offer safety numbers that let you confirm out-of-band (for example, in person or via a phone call) that you are actually talking to the right person and not an impostor.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds a second layer of protection to your account and prevents unauthorised access even if your password is leaked.
• Review your cloud backup settings: Encrypted messages can become unencrypted if they are backed up to a cloud service (such as Google Drive or iCloud) that does not use the same end-to-end encryption. Disable cloud backups for sensitive apps or use an encrypted backup option if one is available.
• Lock the app with biometrics or a PIN: Most messaging apps support fingerprint or face unlock. Enabling this means that even if someone picks up your unlocked phone, they cannot read your messages without your biometric or PIN.
• Keep the app updated: Security patches are released regularly. Running an outdated version of any messaging app leaves you exposed to vulnerabilities that have already been publicly disclosed and fixed.

In order to protect your privacy and enhance your security when using any of these alternatives to AIM, we recommend you try one of the following VPNs:

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a great VPN for those who want the best of all worlds in terms of security, speed, and support for many platforms. The security features in this VPN include the use of strong 256-bit encryption to ensure your traffic is not intercepted and a no logging policy which means that the company will never keep records of your internet use. The connection speeds are super fast, so you won’t need to be slowed down whether you’re browsing, chatting, or downloading large files.

A subscription to ExpressVPN gets you access to a huge network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 different countries which are available for your use, so you’ll be able to easily find a server that meets your needs and to get around any region locks that you come across with no problems. One of the most handy features of ExpressVPN for frequent messaging users is the wide range of platforms that are supported.

You can install your VPN on any device you use to chat, including desktop or laptop machines running Windows, Mac OS, or Linux, or use the browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, plus you can install on mobile devices and tablets running Android and iOS. You can even install the software on your games console and some smart TVs so you can be protected whichever device you choose to use.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is the ideal choice if your first and greatest concern is security. Of course, the NordVPN service uses the strong 256-bit encryption that you would expect and also has the requisite no logging policy to protect your privacy. But the special security feature that makes NordVPN stand out is its option for double encryption.

The way double encryption works is as follows: in the first step, your device encrypts any data that is to be sent over the internet and diverts this data to a server owned by your VPN provider, just like any other VPN. But then, at this first server, double encryption encrypts the data for a second time before sending it on to a second server. At the second server, the data is decrypted and sent to its original destination. These two layers of encryption mean that it is practically impossible for anyone to hack your data and see your messages or internet traffic.

Further security features include options to use special servers to get features like anti DDoS, dedicated IP, double VPN, onion over VPN, and P2P. The connections on NordVPN are not as fast as some others, but are still plenty fast enough for regular internet use like browsing, messaging, downloading, and streaming. The server network is absolutely huge, offering more than 5,100 servers in 59 countries to meet all of your needs. You can install the software on your devices running Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS devices, or you can use the browser extensions for the Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Read our full NordVPN review.

3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a VPN with lightning fast connection speeds, making it perfect for users who frequently need to download large files or who want to stream high definition video. But the service doesn’t only offer fast connections — it has great security too. The security features include the use of strong 256-bit encryption, a no logging policy, and security options in the software like the use of a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and the option for a periodically changing IP address.

This speed and security is delivered over a network of more than 1,300 servers in 60 countries, including all the key locations you might want to use like the US, Canada, the UK, Sweden, Hong Kong, Japan, and many more. This means you can browse the internet as if you were anywhere in the world, which is great for getting around region restrictions. You can install the software on the key platforms of Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Read our full IPVanish review.

Conclusion

RIP AIM, a piece of internet history. Though if we’re being really honest, it was probably about time that AIM was retired and you chose something more modern as your messaging app. With security now being a big concern for messaging apps, we’ve recommended six alternatives to AIM that have better security features to keep your messages private, like end to end encryption or two factor authentication. Whether you prioritise anonymity, ease of use, or enterprise-grade protection, there is an option among these alternatives to AIM that will suit your needs.

Have you tried out any of our recommended messaging apps, or is there another secure messaging system which you prefer? Let us know about it in the comments below.

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Georgina Jones

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