PsiLinux
vs
Quiet Internet Pager (QIP)Windows
Psi as a Linux alternative to Quiet Internet Pager (QIP)
Updated
Our verdict
Psi can replace Quiet Internet Pager for users who only need XMPP/ICQ‑style chat, file transfer, and emoticons. It supports the core ICQ protocol via plugins, handles group chats, logs history, and offers theming. It is best suited for Linux users who are comfortable installing a third‑party client and want a modern, open‑source solution. Windows‑only QIP users who rely on proprietary features or a specific UI may need to adjust expectations.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.6
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support ICQ protocol (via plugin for Psi),
- Both allow file transfer and emoticon usage,
- Both provide group chat (MUC in Psi, group chat in QIP),
- Both log message history,
- Both offer customizable UI themes or skins
What is different
- Psi lacks native support for protocols other than XMPP (no built‑in IRC or proprietary Russian protocols),
- Psi does not include the same bundled privacy controls or block lists as QIP’s native interface,
- Psi requires manual plugin installation for ICQ support, whereas QIP has it built‑in,
- Psi’s UI is more modern but may feel unfamiliar to QIP veterans,
- Psi does not support the same Windows‑specific file export formats used by QIP
Opening your Quiet Internet Pager (QIP) files
QIP stores contacts and chat logs in proprietary .qip files. Psi cannot directly open these files; users must export contacts to a common format (e.g., CSV) from QIP, then import into Psi’s address book. Chat logs can be exported as plain text from QIP and read in Psi, but there is no automated migration tool.
Switching from Quiet Internet Pager (QIP) to Psi, step by step
- 1. Export QIP contacts to a CSV file via the QIP export function,
- 2. Install Psi from your distribution’s package manager,
- 3. In Psi, import the CSV file into the address book,
- 4. Install the ICQ plugin for Psi and configure your ICQ credentials,
- 5. Test file transfer and emoticon functionality,
- 6. Adjust Psi’s theme to match your preferred look.
Key features of Psi
- Full XMPP protocol support (MUC, file transfer, encryption)
- Customizable UI with themes and skins
- Built‑in privacy controls (block lists, privacy rules)
- Plugin architecture for extended functionality
- Offline messaging and message archiving
- Rich presence information (status, activity)
How to install Psi on Linux
sudo apt install psisudo apt install psisudo dnf install psisudo pacman -S psi-l10nFrequently asked questions
Does Psi support the same emoticons as QIP?
Psi uses standard XMPP emoticons; custom emoticons can be added via plugins, but the exact QIP emoticon set is not included by default.
Can I use Psi on Windows?
Psi is primarily a Linux client; there is a Windows binary available, but the focus here is on Linux replacement.
Is there a way to keep my QIP chat history in Psi?
You can export QIP logs as plain text and open them in Psi, but Psi does not import QIP’s proprietary log format automatically.
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