QQ International 2.1

Overview

QQ International is chat client software that is presently used by hundreds of millions of people in mainland China and elsewhere.

QQ International is made available by Chinese business, Tencent, and is used in a number of Asian countries though it is not well known outside of the pan-Asia region. The software provides a Windows-based chat window that looks fairly similar to what one might see with Windows Messenger.

The chat client lists all the friends already added to the client. The interface is quite minimal and matches fairly well to their mobile app for Android as well.

The language translator is perhaps the most useful feature. It lets the user click on a message and select a possible translation for it. The software can also translate some idioms making it unusually advanced.

The user account can be personalized with an identifying Manga or other animation character or a personal photo. A user can create their own chat room which up to 1,000 users can join to socialize in a large group virtually.

Installation

The installation completed without any issues.

There was no adware, toolbars, spyware or malware included with the setup package.

QQ International requires Windows OS. There is also an Android app available.

Interface

The interface is bathed in blue. The identifying graphic for the logged in user is shown in the top-left corner. Their status and name to the right of the image. A personal message can be created there also and a received message counter can be seen on the far right.

A contact search bar is shown below this section.

There are four tabs in the main area. These support chat with the friends list, multiple person chat, and different ways to see the other features including a long list of links to other small utilities.

The interface will be clear to anyone who has used an instant messenger client before.

Pros

• Instant messenger client from China
• Hundreds of millions of users in pan-Asia
• Create a chat room of up to 1,000 users
• Similar interface to Windows Messenger and other chat clients
• Add cartoon or photos for a photo ID on the account
• Android client available

Cons

• Few Western people are using this chat client yet

Alternatives

Skype is one of the most widely used global chat clients available. Owned by Microsoft. Another good option is ooVoo. Finally, you should read our comparison article Messengers Compared: FB Messenger vs WhatsApp vs Hangouts vs Skype vs Viber vs Telegram vs LINE.

Conclusion

QQ International is a good chat client to use to talk with Chinese friends or business colleagues in mainland China.