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Top Alternatives to HexChat

Looking for HexChat alternatives? We've curated 20 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Platforms:
Pidgin

Pidgin

Open Source

Pidgin is a free and open-source multi-protocol instant messaging client designed to connect users across various chat networks with a single application. It's highly extensible through plugins and supports a wide range of protocols including XMPP, ICQ, and IRC.

Key Features

  • Supports a wide range of instant messaging protocols, consolidating multiple networks into one application.
  • Highly customizable and extensible through a robust plugin system.
  • Generally lightweight and efficient on system resources.

vs HexChat

Supports a wide range of instant messaging protocols, consolidating multiple networks into one application. compared to ...
Adium

Adium

Open Source

Adium is a free and open-source instant messaging client for macOS, designed to connect to multiple chat networks simultaneously. Supporting protocols like Jabber (XMPP), Google Talk, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger, Adium provides a unified interface for all your conversations.

Key Features

  • Connects to multiple instant messaging networks within one application.
  • Highly customizable interface and behavior through themes and settings.
  • Supports OTR encryption for enhanced conversation privacy.

vs HexChat

Connects to multiple instant messaging networks within one application. compared to HexChat
XChat for Linux

XChat for Linux

Open Source

XChat for Linux is a venerable IRC chat client designed for connecting to IRC networks and participating in chat rooms (channels). It offers support for multiple simultaneous connections, public and private conversations, and a high degree of customization through plugins.

Key Features

  • Robust and reliable IRC client for core chat functionality.
  • Excellent extensibility through plugin support, particularly Python.
  • Generally lightweight with low resource consumption.

vs HexChat

Robust and reliable IRC client for core chat functionality. compared to HexChat
mIRC

mIRC

Commercial

mIRC is a classic Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client for Windows, providing a robust and highly customizable interface for connecting to IRC networks and participating in online chat communities.

Key Features

  • Extremely powerful and flexible scripting language.
  • Highly stable and reliable performance.
  • Extensive customization options.

vs HexChat

Extremely powerful and flexible scripting language. compared to HexChat
irssi

irssi

Open Source

Irssi is a highly customizable command-line IRC client popular among power users and system administrators for its extensibility and efficiency.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and behavior.
  • Excellent resource efficiency, ideal for low-power systems.
  • Powerful scripting and plugin support for automation and extension.

vs HexChat

Highly customizable interface and behavior. compared to HexChat
Quassel IRC

Quassel IRC

Open Source

Quassel IRC is a powerful, distributed, and cross-platform IRC client designed for continuous connectivity and efficient management of multiple IRC networks and conversations.

Key Features

  • Persistent connection and message history through distributed core.
  • Access your IRC session from multiple devices.
  • Excellent logging capabilities.

vs HexChat

Persistent connection and message history through distributed core. compared to HexChat
Colloquy

Colloquy

Open Source

Colloquy is more than just a loyalty platform; it's a comprehensive customer engagement and data analytics solution designed to foster deep relationships and drive business growth. It provides tools for managing customer loyalty programs, facilitating direct communication, and deriving actionable insights from customer data.

Key Features

  • Integrated loyalty and engagement tools.
  • Strong focus on customer data analytics.
  • Flexible and customizable loyalty program creation.

vs HexChat

Integrated loyalty and engagement tools. compared to HexChat
KVIrc

KVIrc

Open Source

KVIrc is a versatile and highly customizable graphical IRC client available for Linux, Unix, macOS, and Windows. It is designed to cater to both seasoned IRC users seeking advanced control and newcomers looking for a user-friendly interface to connect to various IRC networks.

Key Features

  • Extremely customizable through scripting and plugins.
  • Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux/Unix.
  • Supports multiple server connections and identities.

vs HexChat

Extremely customizable through scripting and plugins. compared to HexChat
Smuxi

Smuxi

Open Source

Smuxi is a feature-rich, cross-platform IRC client designed with productivity and usability in mind. Inspired by the command-line power of Irssi, it provides a graphical interface for seamless communication across multiple networks including IRC, XMPP, and Twitter.

Key Features

  • Supports multiple chat protocols (IRC, XMPP, Twitter)
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Extensible through plugins

vs HexChat

Supports multiple chat protocols (IRC, XMPP, Twitter) compared to HexChat
WeeChat

WeeChat

Open Source

WeeChat is a highly customizable, free and open-source command-line based chat client. Designed for efficiency and portability, it supports multiple protocols including IRC and XMPP, making it a versatile tool for connecting to various networks.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and fast performance.
  • Highly customizable via configuration files.
  • Extensible through a wide range of plugins and scripts.

vs HexChat

Extremely lightweight and fast performance. compared to HexChat
AdiIRC

AdiIRC

Free

AdiIRC is a feature-rich and highly customizable free IRC client designed for both casual users and power users. It offers a portable experience, extensive customization options, and support for various IRC networks and protocols.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and themes.
  • Excellent portability, no installation required.
  • Powerful scripting engine for automation.

vs HexChat

Highly customizable interface and themes. compared to HexChat
X-Chat 2 for Windows

X-Chat 2 for Windows is an unofficial, open-source build of the popular X-Chat IRC client, specifically tailored for the Windows operating system. It provides a robust platform for connecting to various IRC networks and engaging in real-time communication with other users.

Key Features

  • Familiar interface for existing X-Chat users.
  • Supports connecting to multiple IRC servers simultaneously.
  • Highly extensible through plugins and scripting.

vs HexChat

Familiar interface for existing X-Chat users. compared to HexChat
Konversation

Konversation

Open Source

Konversation is a feature-rich Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client designed for the KDE Desktop Environment. It provides a user-friendly interface for connecting to IRC networks, participating in channels, and communicating with other users around the globe.

Key Features

  • Deep integration with the KDE Plasma desktop.
  • Extensive customization options for appearance and behavior.
  • Supports connecting to multiple IRC networks simultaneously.

vs HexChat

Deep integration with the KDE Plasma desktop. compared to HexChat
Chatzilla

Chatzilla

Open Source

Multi-platform IRC client tightly integrated with Mozilla browsers, offering a familiar interface for seamless chat experiences.

Key Features

  • Seamless integration with Mozilla browsers
  • Easy to install and use
  • Stable and reliable performance

vs HexChat

Seamless integration with Mozilla browsers compared to HexChat
Kiwi IRC

Kiwi IRC

Open Source

Kiwi IRC is a modern, open-source web-based Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client designed for simplicity and ease of use. It allows users to connect to various IRC networks directly through their web browser without needing to install desktop software.

Key Features

  • Easily accessible via web browser, no installation required.
  • Intuitive and clean user interface.
  • Supports colored text and push notifications.

vs HexChat

Easily accessible via web browser, no installation required. compared to HexChat
Textual

Textual

Commercial

Textual is a premium Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client exclusively designed for macOS. It provides a user-friendly interface, extensive customization options through themes and plugins, and robust support for common IRC features, aiming to offer a modern and polished chat experience.

Key Features

  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface designed for macOS.
  • Robust support for standard IRC features.
  • Powerful and flexible plugin architecture for extensibility.

vs HexChat

Intuitive and user-friendly interface designed for macOS. compared to HexChat
LimeChat

LimeChat

Open Source

LimeChat is a feature-rich and user-friendly Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client specifically designed for macOS. It provides a clean interface for connecting to multiple IRC networks and channels.

Key Features

  • Native macOS application with a clean interface.
  • Stable and reliable performance.
  • Supports multiple network connections simultaneously.

vs HexChat

Native macOS application with a clean interface. compared to HexChat
IRCCloud

IRCCloud

Freemium

IRCCloud is a premium, modern web-based IRC client that acts as a bouncer, keeping you and your conversations online 24/7. It offers synchronized chat history and state across multiple devices.

Key Features

  • Always-on connection via cloud bouncer
  • Synchronized experience across multiple devices
  • Modern and intuitive user interface

vs HexChat

Always-on connection via cloud bouncer compared to HexChat
Mibbit

Mibbit

Free

Mibbit is a popular web-based IRC client that allows users to connect to various IRC networks and channels directly through their web browser. It eliminates the need for dedicated client software installation and offers a user-friendly interface for real-time text communication.

Key Features

  • No software installation required, accessible via web browser.
  • Highly portable, usable on various devices and operating systems.
  • User-friendly interface, easy for beginners to start using IRC.

vs HexChat

No software installation required, accessible via web browser. compared to HexChat
Shout

Shout

Open Source

Shout is a modern, self-hosted web-based IRC client designed for ease of use and accessibility. It allows users to connect to IRC networks and channels directly through their web browser, offering continuous connectivity even when the browser is closed.

Key Features

  • Persistent IRC connection even when browser is closed.
  • Full control over your data and environment through self-hosting.
  • Modern and responsive web interface accessible from any device.

vs HexChat

Persistent IRC connection even when browser is closed. compared to HexChat

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