Monal
Bürstadt, Germany
What it is
Monal is a free XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS. XMPP is an open, standardized protocol, so users can choose a provider and communicate across services with one or multiple accounts. Monal supports private and group messaging, message history, archiving, voice messages, disappearing messages, and uploads of files, videos, and images through HTTP Upload. Audio and video calls are included. The features page lists OMEMO encryption for private and group chats. Monal is a volunteer-developed, non-commercial project that asks for donations for service costs and development. It began in 2002 as a fork of the SworIM app and is headquartered in Bürstadt, Germany. The makers say they do not sell or track information for external parties. Push services receive an XMPP domain and device token, 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. Device logs can contain raw XMPP stanzas and decrypted messages if explicitly sent.
For and against
For
- Free on iOS and macOS
- Open XMPP network access
- Private and group messaging
- Audio and video calls
- OMEMO encryption listed
Against
- Encryption coverage is mixed
- Fallback call servers may see IP addresses
- Local logs can contain message contents
- Support relies on community channels
The verdict
Monal combines open-protocol messaging with calls, uploads, and account flexibility at no listed cost. Its privacy policy explains what push services, fallback call servers, and local logs may expose.
Who it suits
It suits iOS and macOS users who want XMPP messaging with provider choice, multiple accounts, group chats, calls, and file sharing. People evaluating privacy should consider the stated push, call-server, and local-log details.
Plans and prices
Monal
iOS and macOS XMPP chat client
Read 8 Oct 2026 · monal-im.org
On the record
- Account choice
- Users can choose their XMPP account provider and can use one or multiple accounts.monal-im.org · read 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.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Calls and files
- It supports audio and video calls and file, video, and image uploads using HTTP Upload.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Development
- Monal is a volunteer-developed, non-commercial project that asks users for donations to support service costs and development.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The features page lists encrypted private and group chats using OMEMO encryption.monal-im.org · read 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.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Messaging
- It supports private and group messaging, message history, archiving, and voice messaging.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Network
- It uses the open, standardized XMPP protocol, which allows anyone to host a server and communicate across services.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Origin
- The About page says Monal originated in 2002 as a fork of the SworIM app.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The makers say Monal does not sell or track information for external parties.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Monal is an XMPP instant messaging client for iOS and macOS.monal-im.org · read 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.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available through an XMPP group chat, GitHub issues, and email.monal-im.org · read 8 Oct 2026
