Comparison testing for Freelab Messenger

First impressions: UI is far more difficult to navigate in freelab, Tigase is much sleeker and smoother to operate. Freelab operates on conversations, where a list of active and past conversations serve as the primary mechanism.

Similar features:

• Multiple accounts can be handled with a single application, automatic status management is available and on by default, but is basic: away when screen is off, N/A when silent. Presence/status is accessed by tapping your own icon in a chat, or navigating through menus.

• Freelab does some nagging about battery optimizations, and connection losses. It does not appear to utilize any sort of mobile optimizations and stream resumptions and requests those to be turned off to maintain connections.

• Chats and group chats are handled pretty much the same way.

• Resource management is available but limited – choose from a list rather than input your own.

• Stateless messaging is an option as well.

• Carbon Copies supported by default

Features available in freelab and not Tigase:

• Message Encryption either by OMEMO, OTR, or OpenPGP (OTR and OpenPGP are available VIA third party plugins).

• Ability to send voice recordings, although unsure as to the XEP it uses. Tigase servers do not seem to be able to send these payloads.

• Conversation invite ability – automatically convert one to one to group chat.

• Picture compression, adjustable settings.

• Customizable themes and backgrounds.

• Connection may be used via Tor network (no longer a recommended method of encryption).

• Ability to send GPS coordinates to other users with a simple command.

Advantages of Tigase over Freelab:

• Support for HTTP Upload

• Push notifications

• Better UI

• Automated presence management

• Better mobile enhancements, not requiring a constant connection.

• Far better Message archive retrieval.

Comments:

Recent entries seem to trend to one star as there seems to be some communication issue with expired or non valid certificates and being unable to publish vCard avatars. The application does not seem to have been updated since 2016 and issues don’t seem to have a fix published. With an install base of between 10 and 50k, it’s not the highest install base. I think Conversations by Daniel Gultsch might be a more aspirational target, with 50-100k users, however it is a paid program at 2.49, but a far higher rating overall. It might be that they are made by the same people as UI, icons, and basic usage are similar.

Thank you for the review, good work.

Daniel Wisnewski wrote:

I think Conversations by Daniel Gultsch might be a more aspirational target, with 50-100k users, however it is a paid program at 2.49, but a far higher rating overall. It might be that they are made by the same people as UI, icons, and basic usage are similar.

Sidenote: while it's paid in Google Play Store it's open source (https://github.com/siacs/Conversations) and you can either build it yourself or get for free from F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/packages/eu.siacs.conversations/ -- alternative "store" to google play with Open Source software)