imo

Q: Is imo free?

Yes. The app is free to download and use, and it shows ads. Your mobile data plan still applies.

Q: Is imo still working in 2026?

Yes. The Android app was last updated on 8 October 2026.

Q: Who makes imo?

Pagebites, Inc., based in Palo Alto, California. Wikipedia lists Pagebites as a subsidiary of Singularity IM, Inc.

Q: Can imo connect to Facebook or Skype?

No, not since March 2014. imo dropped third-party chat networks and now runs its own network.

Q: What are imo alternatives?

Other free messaging and calling apps. See our imo alternatives page.

Free messaging and video call app, built to work on weak connections.

FreeMessaging and callsContains ads

Visit imo.im ↗Last verified: 5 Nov 2026

Fact-checked

Refael EliyahuMarketing, Startup StashEconomics-trained and numbers-first. He owns content, SEO, and distribution here, and every tools page goes through him before the Fact-checked mark goes live.

FreeWith ads

1B+Android installs

2005Started as web app

PagebitesDeveloper

The short version

What is imo?

imo is a free messaging and video calling app from Pagebites, Inc. in Palo Alto. It is still live, and its Android app was last updated in October 2026.

imo started in 2005 as a web app that connected several chat networks at once. It dropped support for third-party networks such as Facebook Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger and Skype in March 2014, and is now its own network, with accounts tied to a phone number. Today it focuses on voice and video calls that work on 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, group video calls, chats with files, and voice rooms. The Android app has over 1 billion downloads and shows ads.

Bottom line: imo is a fair pick for calling family or friends where the connection is poor. If you want a messenger with no ads, look at the alternatives.

What it does

Key features

Calls on weak networks

Voice and video calls that the app says work over 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, aimed at places with limited connectivity.

Group video calls

Call several people at once by video, as well as one to one.

Chats and files

Send text, photos, videos, voice messages and files in one to one and group chats.

Voice rooms

Join group audio chats in voice rooms. The listing also says personal chats and calls are end-to-end encrypted.

What it costs

imo pricing (2026)

Plan	Price	What you get
imo app	Free	Messaging, voice and video calls, group video calls and voice rooms. The app shows ads.
Paid plans	None listed	We found no paid plan to list.

Based on the Google Play listing, which marks imo as free with ads. Mobile data charges from your carrier may apply.

Honest fit

Who it's for, who it isn't

Pick imo if

You call people in places with slow or patchy internet
You want free international voice and video calls
Your family or friends already use imo
You want group video calls on a phone

Look elsewhere if

You do not want ads in your messenger
You want to sign up without a phone number
You need a work chat tool with admin controls
You want to chat with people on other networks from one app

What people ask

imo FAQ

Is imo free?

Yes. The app is free to download and use, and it shows ads. Your mobile data plan still applies.

Is imo still working in 2026?

Yes. The Android app was last updated on 8 October 2026.

Who makes imo?

Pagebites, Inc., based in Palo Alto, California. Wikipedia lists Pagebites as a subsidiary of Singularity IM, Inc.

Is imo encrypted?

Its store listing says personal chats and calls use end-to-end encryption. We could not verify this independently.

Can imo connect to Facebook or Skype?

No, not since March 2014. imo dropped third-party chat networks and now runs its own network.

What are imo alternatives?

Other free messaging and calling apps. See our imo alternatives page.

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