Systems and methods for instant messaging (IM) with multiple contacts from multiple IM systems are presented. In one embodiment, incoming IM messages from multiple IM systems are translated and displayed to the user. Similarly, outgoing messages from the user are translated for compatibility with each of the multiple IM systems, thereby permitting communication between the user and contacts at the multiple IM systems. In another embodiment, an incoming IM message from one of the IM systems is translated for compatibility with each of the other IM systems, thereby permitting communication between contacts at the multiple IM systems.