KopeteLinux
vs
ICQWindows
Kopete as a Linux alternative to ICQ
Updated
Our verdict
Kopete can serve as a replacement for ICQ if you are comfortable with a KDE‑centric client and don’t need the latest voice‑call quality. It handles real‑time text, contact lists, offline messages, file transfers and basic group chats, but its voice support is limited and the project is no longer maintained, so you may encounter bugs or missing features compared with modern ICQ clients. It’s best for users who already run KDE or prefer a single multi‑protocol client and can tolerate occasional quirks.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 23.08.5
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- real‑time text chat
- contact list management
- offline message storage
- file transfer within chat
- basic group chat support
What is different
- voice call support is rudimentary and may not work reliably
- Kopete is discontinued, so security updates and bug fixes are scarce
- no dedicated mobile client; only desktop usage
- integration is KDE‑specific, less seamless on other desktop environments
- ICQ’s proprietary features (e.g., custom emoticons, bots) are absent
Opening your ICQ files
Kopete stores its own chat logs in plain text or XML files; there is no built‑in tool to import ICQ’s proprietary history files. Exporting ICQ data to a format Kopete can read would require a manual conversion or third‑party script, which is not readily available.
Switching from ICQ to Kopete, step by step
- Install Kopete from your distribution’s repository (e.g., sudo apt install kopete).
- Launch Kopete and add an ICQ account using your existing ICQ number and password.
- Import any saved contacts manually or export them from ICQ as a CSV and import into Kopete’s address book.
- Configure notification and history settings to match your preferences.
- Test sending a message and a file to ensure the connection works.
- If voice calls are needed, consider installing a separate VoIP client such as Jitsi.
Key features of Kopete
- Support for multiple instant messaging protocols in one interface
- Deep integration with KDE Plasma Workspaces
- Group chat support across various networks
- File transfer capabilities within chat sessions
- Contact management with detailed user information
- Plugin system for extending functionality
- Notification handling via KDE system services
- History logging for chat conversations
How to install Kopete on Linux
sudo apt install kopetesudo dnf install kopeteFrequently asked questions
Can Kopete handle ICQ voice calls?
It has limited voice support via the underlying telepathy framework, but it is not reliable and many users prefer a dedicated VoIP client.
Is Kopete still receiving updates?
No, the project is discontinued; you will only get updates that your distribution provides in its package repositories.
Will my ICQ contact list sync automatically?
Kopete will download your contact list when you log in with your ICQ credentials, but any changes made on other devices need to be refreshed manually.
