Despite the rise and rise of WhatsApp, Kik and other chat apps, IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is still going strong. The protocol is decades old and text only yet it still has a place in our consciousness and on our desktops. So what are the best IRC clients for Windows and Linux?
Limechat for mac I used Limechat for years because it's simple, fast, and functional. (Check out those lightning fast rejoin times!) It has every major function an advanced client needs from ZNC support to built-in network commands, with the exception of custom scripting. Mac IRC clients are all grown up and have entered the new era of free cloud computing and the Mac App Store. Most apps in this list are free or just a few dollars. This is a radical change from just a few years ago, when the best apps were shareware worth $30 or more. LimeChat is free on macOS, but the iOS app costs US$4.99. Textual is a native Mac IRC client, so it takes full advantage of macOS features like the Notification Center.
Also see our article 21 Google Hangouts Easter Eggs to Animate Your Chats
To use IRC chat, you need an IRC client. These are simple terminal-style windows that allow you to select IRC chat channels and type in chats. The large central window will show the thread as it develops as well as the usernames of others within the same chatroom. It is a very basic interface but doesn’t have to be anything more.
IRC clients for Windows and Linux
Quick Links
Windows 10 has quite a number of compatible IRC clients. Linux does too. As usual, some are better than others. Here are a few IRC clients for Windows and Linux that are worth your time.
mIRC
mIRC is one of the oldest and most established IRC clients on the internet. It works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP and has a nice load of features. It is a small install that takes mere seconds to download and install. Once opened, you will see a quick ad and then will need to enter a nick and email address along with your chat server details.
Once done, you’re in and ready to chat. mIRC also comes with some chat servers already installed if you just want to browse. As well as chat, mIRC also allows file transfers, notifications, scripts and more. For such an old and small program it is capable of a lot. If you want to support mIRC, you can remove the ad for a one-off fee of $20.
mIRC only works with Windows.
AdiIRC
AdiIRC is another neat IRC client that works fine in Windows 10. It isn’t as fully featured as mIRC and doesn’t look quite as good but it works well. It can also start with Windows if you’re a regular user. This is another tiny download and installer. It is ad supported or you can support it with a donation.
The interface is very simple and easy to use. You can browse or search channels or add your own server. You can open multiple channels too, either in windows or within the same window. There is a neat spellcheck feature too although nobody I have seen on IRC ever bothers with one of those!
AdiIRC works on both Windows and Linux.
HexChat
I have never used HexChat but it was recommended by a coder friend of mine who uses it all the time. It is super simple with a very clear UI. Channels can be sorted into tabs and users and lists can be hidden or moved around as to your preference. There are lots of themes and tweaks you can make to it when you’re up and running too.
Again, the interface is super-simple and you will be up and running in less than a minute. There are multiple language options, script support, auto-connect for regular chatters and lots of other neat features. Unlike mIRC, HexChat is free to use as long as you want but donations are always welcomed.
HexChat works on both Windows and Linux.
XChat
Mirc
HexChat is built on XChat so it is only right that we also feature the original. It is a very simple IRC client for Windows and Linux that looks and feels a lot like the others in the list. It is a small download and light on computer resources yet has all the chat features you might need. Simple organization, ordered channels, configurable UI, themes, languages and more.
XChat has advanced script support if that’s your thing. It works with Perl, Python, Tcl, Ruby, C++ and ECMAScript Scheme. XChat costs $20 after a free 30-day trial so you would really need to like it over HexChat to use it.
XChat works on both Windows and Linux.
IceChat
IceChat ‘The Chat cool people use’. If the cheesiness doesn’t put you off, the IRC client is pretty good. It has most of the functions you would expect, chat, channel tabs, theming, customizations and scripting support. It doesn’t look quite as 8-bit as some of these others but isn’t exactly the latest in flat design either. Nevertheless, function triumphs over form.
IceChat is easy to use and supports plugins that can add everything from Twitter feeds to Google search and a range of other functions. So while the core chat is very capable, there is also scope to widen appeal with other things. It is free too, with no ads or limitations.
IceChat only works with Windows.
WeeChat
WeeChat is either small if you are Scottish or likened to urination if you are English. If you’re American, WeeChat is a solid little IRC chat client for Linux and Mac. It works with Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Unix, GNU Hard and Mac OS X so will have wide appeal. It also supports scripting, multiple languages, IPv6 and lots of other features.
WeeChat is another chat client that begins simple and then can become something much more by using plugins. There are a good number of them and most have decent documentation to back them up.
WeeChat works on both Linux and Mac OS.
HydraIRC
HydraIRC is another IRC client that has been recommended by someone I know. It is a multi-platform IRC client that works in Windows and Linux and supports plugins and other features. As far as I can tell, HydraIRC is no longer developed but the existing source code is available online.
HydraIRC seems simple enough with tabs for channels, lots of configuration options, customizations and theming. Despite not being developed any longer, it seems to work fine.
HydraIRC only works with Windows.
There are seven IRC clients for Windows and Linux in this list and they all seem to fulfill the core requirements. Be small, easy to use, customizable and straightforward to live with. If you want to get into IRC or have to join one for work or play, at least now you have a few options for clients that work.
Got any suggestions for IRC clients for Windows and Linux? Tell us about them below if you do!
10 Best IRC Clients: IRC i.e. Internet relay chat, have grown widely I the context to growth in the world of internet. Internet has played a vital role in making people connected to each other and can communicate very easily. Technology has revolutionised in such a way that IRC has been the main hub to many clients.
Basically, IRC is the protocol-based platforms that establishes a communication channel between multiple computer network. Earlier it was very popular as all the networks were working up to this. It is loaded with the features such as, man-to-man communication, private room or a separated chat room and can also be used in data transfer. Well, there are few IRC clients too that bring all the platforms together across both desktop and mobile which can make you chat anywhere and anytime. Cool! Let’s see who are the 10 best clients for IRC.
Contents
- 4 Best IRC client for Mac OS X:
- 5 Best IRC client for Linux
- 6 Best IRC client for iOS
- 7 Best IRC Clients for Android
Best IRC Clients for Windows:
mIRC
Undoubtedly, mIRC is the best client for the IRC. Being the most popular of all, it is quite easy to use this client in context to the features. It starts with the basic details like nicknames, emails etc and server information and you are then connected to the client. You can get connected to the serves which are being configured earlier with the mIRC or can create your own.
mIRC is full of the features that includes multiple configured buddy list, file transfers, connecting different servers, sounds to notify you, system tray notifications and much more. Moreover that, this server is quite good in scripting language that is useful in creating the custom scripts for automation of various tasks and network communications also. mIRC is the shareware program which is available at 30-day trial and can be used with the splash screen at the time of launching after the trial ends.
IceChat
When the terms of trust and capability is there, IceChat is used for the same purpose. Extremely light weight and easily accessible chat server development app can be easily available to you. You just have to enter the nicknames of the person and then you are denoted as golden. You will get through various pe-configured global servers which are ready to be get connected or you can create your own server for the same. This server is available for free, hence if you don’t want any load to your pockets then IceChat is the option for you.
Icechat is such a customizable server that can be hacked from the chat fonts to the background colour and by considering the nicknames list as per your consideration and the global theme for the application. Well the differentiated thing that IceChat possesses is the number of plug-ins that are available for the user, these plug-ins can help you access almost all social media tools.
Best IRC client for Mac OS X:
Textual
Being the powerful one, in the list of these applications, Textual is so smooth to use. Basically, designed for Mac OS X, offers such an amazing multi-column UI which is delightful in dark and light variants and especially cool on retina devices.
Despite being very beautiful and smooth to use, Textual is fully loaded with features and is very light in weight. This application includes all the modern features such as IPv6 support, full compatibility with IRCv3 specifications and client-side certification. Well you will be happy to know that this application includes several features more than these super technical features, such as, keyboards shortcuts, iCloud syncing, auto completion for nicknames and commands etc. So, going for this client would be wise choice from your side.
XChat Azure
XChat Azure is the free application for the OS X devices that can be connected through IRC networks and is considered to be the good IRC client application with fully packed with the decent features.
This application includes such a nice features that bring ease in connecting to the multiple IRC servers and channels, making the private and commercial conversations effortless. You can transfer media files also through this server. Well, these features bring the application to be the best in IRC Client list for the Mac OS X running computers. And yes, it is also and open source server with the full source code hosted on GitHub, yeah that’s cool!
Best IRC client for Linux
WeeChat
Linux is a complex platform and if you are looking for a powerful chat server for it then WeeChat is a best option for you. This extremely light application works on your fingers and as per your requirements by the presence of various plug-ins and scripts enhancers in the application. Well, the application only consist of the core features and the rest is handled by the plug-ins that come for the support to its functioning.
weeChat’s core features includes multi server capabilities, 7 scripting languages, incremental text search, script manager and much more. Well this was the from the cream of the purpose you can customize the server on your basis as you can change the colour for nicknames based on status, backgrounds and just like that. And when adjusted with IPv6, SSL, and proxy support WeeChat gets better.
HexChat
well, when all the clients are confusing with the inclusion of thousands of features to deal with the chat server, HexChat is what offer the simple UI and is making the communicating over IRC such an easy task that can help you to bring the communication pattern easily over the Linux.
When you get connected to the server and want to change it for the purpose you can do that from the server menu option and can get connected to the any of the available channel. Moreover that, if you want to have any of the personal chats to exchange media or perform any individual operations you can access the list of active users too for this. Being open source to the users it is possible that you can face regular updates for the server. You can customize the HexChat as per your requirements and it is well supported by built-in python and pearl scripting support which can allow you to follow various things on it. You can check the user information, network meters, can transfer file and many more things very easily onto this network.
Best IRC client for iOS
Palaver
Looking for a simple and easily accessible IRC client for the iOS device than must go for Palaver. This server is loaded with very useful features which makes connecting over IRC using iOS devices effortless and easy.
It is the inclusion of all the modern features which come as IRCv3 capabilities, ZNC integration, as well as full support for the push notifications. A quick search option added to the bar can help you to bring the searched thing out just like you can search for nicknames to the channels and even the user commands. Customization for the notifications and the alerts can be seen. Most importantly, Palaver has the SASL support that make you identifiable to the IRC networks with all the security you need.
Colloquy
Colloquy is the more popular than another client server for the IRC platform of chatting on the iOS devices. You can easily use this server and will find it good because of the numerous features that makes it the perfect for the communication on IRC if using an iOS device.
The features of this server include the push notifications when working with the retina devices and supporting the multitasking for the same. More of that when you are entering any nickname or any emoticon, the auto-correct has your back and completes the command or word by its own.
It offers the combination of chat viewing purpose and the notification purpose for you as an organised way to viewing the chat list and the vibration alert for any new message. Colloquy brings you the modern features of blocking the unusual users, searching the member from the list and many more, making it the best IRC client for the iOS people.
Best IRC Clients for Android
AndroIRC
Being the best one for the IRC client in the android field, AndroIRC is a loaded bunch of features that will be amazing to se on android platform. And if it is your want to get added on the IRC through an android device than it is must have app for you.
Starting with this application you would love to have an easy experience of being on the IRC connected to various users and servers. This client offers you the plus icon which will help you in adding the server you want to get connected to it. The dual column UI help you to bring the use of two servers at a time can transfer words and files and may more features can be accessible when you are offered the feature by just wiping and getting shifted to the other window of the chat client. Expanding in the feature AndroIRC Is a set of autos joining of channels on a start, multiple server connection, proxy and SSL support and many more.
AndChat
Well, AndChat is famous for its out dated and clunky UI but is that much reliable too. You can let this client access your desired server if you want as it is the device that can make you possibly connected over the IRC in the android devices.
When once the connection is done for the client, you can add the server and can bring the start to the chatting. AndChat offers the support that you can just ask from the client and all is in front of you. It includes multiple server connections, SASL compatibility and notifications. And besides all these you can customize your personal chat heads as no one will interrupt you.
Best Linux Irc Client
Well, I offered all the possible things that can be accessed to be on any IRC client and also by bringing the best of the IRC clients from all platform, choose best for you and be on the IRC channel and stay connected. With more updates on systems and software I will be back, stay tuned and do tell us about your experience with the clients in comment section below.