Monal
Monal is a free XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS.
What Monal is
Monal is a free XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS. XMPP is an open, standardized protocol, so users can select an account provider and communicate across services, using one or multiple accounts. Monal supports private and group conversations, message history, archiving and voice messages. Its features list OMEMO encryption for private and group chats. Audio and video calls are available, as are file, video and image uploads through HTTP Upload. Monal is a volunteer-developed, non-commercial project that asks for donations toward service costs and development. It began in 2002 as a SworIM fork and is headquartered in Bürstadt, Germany. The makers say it does not sell or track information for external parties. Push notifications send the XMPP domain and device token to Monal servers, not message contents or chat-partner information. With fallback STUN or TURN servers, caller and contact IP addresses and call duration may be visible, while call contents remain end-to-end encrypted.
Good
- Free client for iOS and macOS
- Open XMPP protocol supports cross-service communication
- Private and group chats list OMEMO encryption
- Audio and video calls supported
- No external-party selling or tracking claimed
Watch out
- Only iOS and macOS platforms
- Fallback call servers may see IP addresses and duration
- Local logs can contain decrypted message contents
Who it suits
Monal suits people wanting free XMPP messaging on iOS or macOS, especially those who value provider choice and multi-account support. It also fits users seeking chats, calls and file sharing in one client.
Verdict
Monal offers XMPP messaging with chats, calls, uploads and optional account-provider choice at no cost. Privacy details differ by feature, particularly notifications, local logs and fallback call servers.
Plans and prices
From Monal's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Monal | Free | iOS and macOS XMPP chat client |
The facts
Each one read from Monal's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Account choice
- Users can choose their XMPP account provider and can use one or multiple accounts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Call privacy
- When Monal fallback STUN or TURN servers are used, the policy says the service may see caller and contact IP addresses and call duration, but not call contents because they are end-to-end encrypted.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Calls and files
- It supports audio and video calls and file, video, and image uploads using HTTP Upload.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Development
- Monal is a volunteer-developed, non-commercial project that asks users for donations to support service costs and development.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The features page lists encrypted private and group chats using OMEMO encryption.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Local logs
- The privacy policy says device logs can contain raw XMPP stanzas and decrypted message contents, and are not transferred unless the user explicitly sends them.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Messaging
- It supports private and group messaging, message history, archiving, and voice messaging.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Network
- It uses the open, standardized XMPP protocol, which allows anyone to host a server and communicate across services.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Origin
- The About page says Monal originated in 2002 as a fork of the SworIM app.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The makers say Monal does not sell or track information for external parties.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Monal is an XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Push data
- For push notifications, Monal says its servers receive the XMPP domain and a device push token, and that they do not see message contents or know whom users chat with.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available through an XMPP group chat, GitHub issues, and email.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2002checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Bürstadt, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The install page lists stable and beta downloads for iOS and macOS, plus macOS Homebrew installation.checked 8 Oct 2026
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