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Life & fun · June 8, 2026

I recreated AOL Instant Messenger in the browser

What's under the hood: - Real-time messaging powered by Firebase - Buddy lists, groups & online presence - Away messages with auto-reply (and the classic %n, %d, %t variables) - Buddy icons & editable profiles - Group chat rooms - The actual AIM sounds - Full Windows 98 desktop UI — taskbar, desktop icons, start menu, the works. If you have any suggestions or feedback I would greatly appreciate hearing it. There's still more work to be done with it, but it's been a labor of love. Right now every user that logs on is automatically put on to your Buddy list. I thought this would be a great way…

I recreated AOL Instant Messenger in the browser launched on June 8, 2026 with 5 votes, #2,466 of 22,647 launches that month and more than 75% of that year's launches.

Visit webaim.xyz ↗Alternativestop 11% of June 2026

What it does

The classic AIM experience, right in your browser. Buddy lists, away messages, chat rooms, and more.

Because the Accept Message dialog is enabled, the following will only be sent to users on your Buddy List. A love letter to the early internet — WebAIM recreates the classic AOL Instant Messenger experience right in your browser. Chat in real time, set an away message, customize your buddy icon, and enjoy the sounds and style of an era when the internet felt a little more personal. WebAIM will always be 100% free and ad-free . Your support keeps it that way. The people to whom you send this invitation may warn you in return. Your room will appear under Created by AOL Members in Chat Room Listings. Although you have closed your buddy list window, you will remain signed on, and AOL…from webaim.xyz

In the maker’s words, at launch

What's under the hood: - Real-time messaging powered by Firebase - Buddy lists, groups & online presence - Away messages with auto-reply (and the classic %n, %d, %t variables) - Buddy icons & editable profiles - Group chat rooms - The actual AIM sounds - Full Windows 98 desktop UI — taskbar, desktop icons, start…

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