aMSN is a free alternative to Windows Live Messenger. The immediate advantage of using aMSN is that it is not as memory-hungry as the client delivered by Microsoft.

In addition, as far as an alternative messenger app is concerned, this one more closely resembles traditional-looking clients rather than something totally new that takes you a few days to learn everything. aMSN is laid out in such a way where just about everything is familiar to those who have used the regular WLive client. (Even the system tray icon is familiar-looking.)

Lastly, aMSN is not just for Windows. It also runs on OS X and Linux. So if you use multiple operating systems, aMSN will look the same no matter what you run. Try it out – you may like it.

Oh, and by the way, if you were looking for a simple Hotmail notifier (something that tells you when mail comes in), even if you don’t use the chat features aMSN sits neatly in the tray and puts a small envelope icon there when you receive new mail. You can click on the envelope and get your mail afterwards. Nice touch.