Free Chat Rooms and Services
One of the main reasons many people go online is to chat to their friends and family. The Internet has opened up a number of communication channels, the most popular being e-mail (although chat weighs in at a close second). Below, we review the Internet's best free chat services, including free emoticons, online chat rooms and communities. We've also included some services that allow you to add a chat room to your own Web site. Remember: be safe, never disclose your personal details and never arrange to meet strangers. Our Free Chat Software category reviews programs that allow you to chat, message and interact with other Internet users, so be sure to check those out as well. If you happen to stumble across an outdated link, we'd very much appreciate it if you could report it. Thank you!
mChat
A freeware chat application for iPhone and Blackberry smartphones. mChat lets you message friends on Facebook chat directly from your mobile, or participate in chat sessions between other mChat users. The interface is user-friendly and contains no irritating advertisements. We recommend this to anyone wanting to keep in touch with Facebook friends when on the move. An Android version is in the pipeline and will be released in the near future.
Zippy Chat
A nice and simple chat service, allowing users to create a completely free chat room on the fly and with minimal effort. Zippy Chat is the fastest chat provider we've seen so far and better still, you can access your chat room via a unique Web address and share this with friends and family. Zippy Chat is advert-supported.
LiveZillaHave you ever wanted to add a live chat support service to your site? LiveZilla is not only free - it's freeware, meaning there are no restrictions on the free version. Numerous features are offered here, some of which include: real-time visitor monitoring, offline messages, ratings/feedback form, webcam support, security filter, customisation and branding, and more.
FreeJavaChat.comOffers free chat rooms to add to your Web site. FreeJavaChat.com is able to provide a completely free service with no banner adverts or other annoying gimmicks. You can use mIRC or the Java chat applet in any Web browser, plus users can take advantage of private messaging, IRC commands, a "simple mode", etc. This service also includes various other features.
ChatzyChatzy is a new free and simple chat service with no installation procedure. Using this service, you can create your own chat room and invite people to join you instantly by e-mail. On most chat sites, you can only enter public chat rooms, or you need to use ports not available from behind a firewall. Chatzy is different and possibly the simplest chat site available on the Internet.
Just ChatA popular free chat room community aimed at adults. A number of traditional chat rooms are available, each holding up to 200 chatters at any one time. Their message boards are also great place to talk about current affairs, politics, sport, etc. A unique point about Just Chat is that you don't even have to register (just select a room and away you go).
Bravenet Chat RoomsIf you've ever wanted to add a chat room to your site, offer live customer support, or simply establish an online meeting place for friends, check out Bravenet's free chat room offering. They provide one of the best free chat services we've seen with the ability to customise the "chat launch" page to match the look and feel of your site. Please note: users will require a Java-enabled Web browser to access this service.
> Bravenet also provides a truckload of other free Webmaster services, including a blog, guestbook, hit counter, photo album and more.
> A range of widgets have recently been released that users can place on their Web site to enhance interactivity. The Web Poll, Site Search and Headline News are particularly popular.
Offers a free Java chat room service, ideal for increasing the "stickiness" of your Web site. The chat room provided here is easy to customise with your existing site and allows an unlimited number of users, with the additional option for private chat. The service also provides a language filter, password protection, sound alerts and the ability to save chat transcripts. FreeChatCode.com is advert supported.
ParaChatWant to add a chat room to your Web site? ParaChat's "free" package provides a feature-rich, remotely hosted Java chat room service, allowing for real-time interaction. As a Webmaster, you can cutomise the colour and language of the chat room, and also integrate the embedded applet seamlessly into your site's page. For creating user appeal and repeat visits, ParaChat is an excellent tool. The service is advert supported.
> ParaChat recommends you select the "embedded chat room" option, which can be integrated directly into your site's pages. However, if you prefer, they also offer a pop-up chat room option as well.
> The free version provides 100 user capacity for each room and now includes a "who's typing now?" feature.
Experience chat in a 3D world environment when you download this unique chat client called "Moove". In a nutshell, Moove follows the rule of traditional IRC (Internet Relay Chat), but also offers graphical images of people mimicking the statements made in text. For example, if you specify to shake hands with your chat buddy, the virtual character will do the same on the screen.
Chat-Forum.comProvides free, advert supported Java-based chat rooms for use on your Web site. Chat-Forum.com's free chat room is easy to implement and will no doubt increase the "interactivity factor" of your site. Some of the features provided here include: private messaging, room administration, user blocking, etc. There is a restriction of 10 users per room at any one time. Technical support via e-mail is also provided.
PaltalkA live voice and video chat community featuring a free program called PaltalkScene, which allows you to chat with others using webcams and microphones. The service includes thousands of chat rooms on virtually any topic imaginable, so you're bound to find a room to participate in. Paltalk also has an instant messaging component that allows you to hook up to AIM, Yahoo!, MSN and ICQ users. A version for Apple Mac is promised in the near future.
AddonChatThe "free" edition of AddonChat offers a free, basic and advert supported chat room, which is easily integrated into your site's pages with a snippet of HTML code. A direct link is also provided to each chat room, so even if you don't own a site, you and your friends can still utilise the room. A number of features are offered, including: private messaging, control panel, multiple language support, user ignore feature and profanity filters.
Freeola ChatA free chat community that's based around a series of message boards. Freeola Chat is a fun place to talk about games, gossip, films, life and more. By participating in the discussions, visitors have a chance of being singled out to win £30 worth of Argos or Amazon vouchers. If you're feeling creative, you can even start your own forum, and take charge with moderation privileges.
ChattersOnline.comCreate free chat rooms for your Web site and allow visitors to chat with their friends or family in real-time. No special expertise is needed to get started, you simply register with the site and follow simple, step-by-step instructions. ChattersOnline.com also has a vibrant homepage, with up-to-the-minute news, message forums and various other Internet downloads.
Talk CityTalk City believes that the ability to form truly global communities around businesses, ideas, interests, brands, and hobbies will be one of the signature developments of the early 21st century. They offer a large selection of chat rooms from general chat to music and entertainment. Make sure you have read their code of conduct before entering one of the many chat rooms here.