IRC-Client
What is an IRC Client
An IRC client is an application/program used to connect to an IRC server. It is used to communicate with other users on an IRC network. There are all sorts of IRC Clients, ranging from extensive standalone applications that run on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer, to minimalistic clients that use Java, Android or iOS on your mobile phone, or applets and widgets that run within your browser using just HTML, CSS and Javascript/AJAX or Flash or Java.
Contents
- 1 What is an IRC Client
- 2 Windows Free to Use Clients
- 3 Windows ShareWare/Payware Clients
- 4 Linux-Unix Clients
- 5 Mac OS X Clients
- 6 Mobile Devices Clients
- 7 Webbased Clients
- 8 All IRC Clients
- 8.1 Overview
- 8.2 AYTTM
- 8.3 Babbel
- 8.4 BitchX
- 8.5 Colloquy
- 8.6 HydraIRC
- 8.7 Icechat
- 8.8 irssi
- 8.9 jmIrc
- 8.10 Konversation
- 8.11 LimeChat
- 8.12 Linkinus
- 8.13 mIRC
- 8.14 Pidgin
- 8.15 PJIRC
- 8.16 PocketChat
- 8.17 PocketIRC
- 8.18 Quassel IRC
- 8.19 savIRC
- 8.20 SmartIRC
- 8.21 Trillian
- 8.22 UtaIRC
- 8.23 Virca
- 8.24 Vortec IRC
- 8.25 weechat
- 8.26 WireLess IRC 1
- 8.27 WireLess IRC 2
- 8.28 wmIRC
- 8.29 X-Chat
- 8.30 zsIRC
- 9 Old client info
- 10 External Links
Windows Free to Use Clients
This list is in alphabetical order.
- Are You Talking To Me?
- Babbel
- HydraIRC
- Icechat
- irssi (via CygWin)
- Pidgin (formerly known as Gaim)
- Quassel IRC
- savIRC
- Trillian Basic
- Vortec IRC
- weechat (via CygWin)
- X-Chat Unofficial Silverex Windows Build
Windows users can also look at the Webbased Clients list
Linux-Unix Clients
Linux users can also look at the Webbased Clients list
Mac OS X Clients
Mac OS X users can also look at the Webbased Clients list
Mobile Devices Clients
Discussion on Mobile IRC'ing can be done at the Chat4All Forum in the Proud Mobile IRC Addicts Topic
Java
Windows Mobile
Android
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Webbased Clients
Java Applets
Flash
AJAX
All IRC Clients
Overview
Desktop Clients Comparison
Client | Distribution model | SSL Support | User interface | Windows | Linux | Intel Mac | PPC Mac | Other (specify) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | Freeware | yes | TUI | no | no | no | no | AmigaOS |
Mobile Clients Comparison
Client | Distribution model | SSL Support | iOS | Android | Windows Mobile | J2ME | Other (specify) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | Freeware | yes | no | yes | no | no |
Browser Clients Comparison
Client | Distribution model | SSL Support | Flash | AJAX | Java | Other (specify) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | Freeware | yes | yes | no | no |
AYTTM
Download from: | Are You Talking To Me? |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
Distribution Model | Freeware |
SSL Support | Built-in |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | NT/2000 platforms |
Linux | Source (RPM,bz2,gz) and .deb |
BSD | No |
Intel Mac | unofficial builds available |
PPC Mac | No |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | No |
Android | No |
Windows Mobile | No |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | No |
Other | No |
Babbel
Download from: | Babbel |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | Freeware |
SSL Support | SSLv2, SSLv3, SSLv2/3 (auto-sensing) and TLSv1 |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | XP/Vista/7 |
Linux | |
BSD | No |
Intel Mac | 10.2 and up |
PPC Mac | 10.4 and up |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | No |
Android | No |
Windows Mobile | No |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | No |
Other | No |
BitchX
Download from: | BitchX SourceForge Project Page Mirror |
---|---|
Wikipedia | English BitchX article |
License | Revised BSD license |
Distribution Model | Freeware |
SSL Support | SSLv2, SSLv3, SSLv2/3 (auto-sensing) and TLSv1 |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | 9x/2000/NT (with Cygwin) |
Linux | SVN and src tar.gz available |
BSD | BSDI 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 4.0, FreeBSD 2.x, 3.x, 4.0, NetBSD 3.x, 4.x |
Intel Mac | Available in DarwinPorts and Universal Binary available from SoftPedia |
PPC Mac | Maybe using the above SoftPedia Universal build |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | No |
Android | No |
Windows Mobile | No |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | No |
Other | SunOS 4.1.4, 5.x and above, IRIX 5, 6, HP-UX 9.x, 10.x, OSF/1 (DEC Alpha), Ultrix, AIX, OS/2 (with EMX), QNX |
Platform and SSL support taken from BitchX INSTALL doc in SVN trunk.
Its main website is rather outdated. The SourceForge project page looks more useful. Be aware that some distributions, such as Slackware, have removed BitchX from their repositories due to unresolved security issues.
I couldn't get connected to an SSL port though. It is possible though that I did something wrong or forgot to compile SSL support into it. --FiXato 05:56, 28 January 2011 (CET)
Colloquy
Download from: | Colloquy Mobile Colloquy for iOS |
---|---|
Wikipedia | English Colloquy article |
License | GPL |
Distribution Model | Freeware |
SSL Support | yes |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | No |
Linux | No |
BSD | No |
Intel Mac | 10.4 or higher |
PPC Mac | 10.4 or higher (or the older Colloquy 2.1 for 10.3.9) |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | Yes, as Mobile Colloquy |
Android | No |
Windows Mobile | No |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | No |
Other | No |
Mobile Colloquy
Download from: | Mobile Colloquy for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch |
---|---|
Wikipedia | English Colloquy article |
License | BSD Licenses |
Distribution Model | Commercial (Payware in Apple App Store) |
SSL Support | yes |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | No |
Linux | No |
BSD | No |
Intel Mac | See Colloquy instead |
PPC Mac | See Colloquy instead |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | Available in App Store (and as source for jailbroken devices) |
Android | No |
Windows Mobile | No |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | No |
Other | No |
HydraIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Icechat
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
irssi
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
jmIrc
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Konversation
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
LimeChat
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Linkinus
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
mIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Pidgin
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
PJIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
PocketChat
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
PocketIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Quassel IRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
savIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
SmartIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Trillian
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Trillian Pro
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
UtaIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Virca
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Vortec IRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
weechat
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
WireLess IRC 1
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
WireLess IRC 2
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
wmIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
X-Chat
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
X-Chat Silverex
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
X-Chat Aqua
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
zsIRC
Download from: | [ ] |
---|---|
Wikipedia | No |
License | unknown |
Distribution Model | unknown |
SSL Support | |
Platform | Available? |
Windows | |
Linux | |
BSD | |
Intel Mac | |
PPC Mac | |
iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) | |
Android | |
Windows Mobile | |
Java J2ME | No |
Browser | |
Other |
Old client info
This is client info from the old IRC-Clients page we used to have. It will slowly be merged into the current template. Freeware Win
- AYTTM (Are You Talking To Me) Multi-platform and Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (also available for Linux/*BSD/Windows(NT/2000/XP))
- BabbelIRC an IRC client developed in RealStudio with support for Windows XP/Vista/7 and MacOS X 10.2 and up (both PPC and Intel-based). (Alpha stage)
- HydraIRC A freeware IRC client which is quite fully featured, even though there doesn't seem to be active development anymore.
- Icechat (Screenshot)
- irssi (OpenSource) (Can only be used on Windows through CygWin). Also available for Linux, *BSD, MacOSX)
- Pidgin Multi-platform and Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (also available for Linux/*BSD/MacOS X/Windows/QTopia) (used to be called Gaim)
- savIRC (also available for *NIX/Windows)
- Trillian Multi-platform and Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (Basic Version is Freeware, Pro version is Payware)(Comparison between Basic and Pro)
- Vortec IRC (Beta Client)
- X-Chat Unofficial build for Windows by Silverex (Screenshot)
Payware Win
- mIRC (Windows) (Shareware)
- Trillian Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (Pro Version is Payware)
- X-Chat Official Build The official build has become Payware as of August 23, 2004. For freeware builds (of which some are equally good or better), see above.
NIX
- BitchX (Freeware Command Line IRC Client for *NIX)
- Pidgin Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (also available for Linux/*BSD/MacOS X/Windows) (Formerly known as Gaim)
- AYTTM (Are You Talking To Me) Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (also available for Linux/*BSD/Windows(NT/2000/XP))
Mac OS X
- Colloquy Graphical IRC and SILC client (Screenshot)
- LimeChat IRC client for Mac OS X written on RubyCocoa (Screenshot)
- Linkinus (Payware)
- Pidgin Multi-protocol Instant Messaging Client (also available for Linux/*BSD/MacOS X/Windows) (Formerly known as Gaim)
- X-Chat Aqua Freeware X-Chat build for Mac OSX
J2ME
- WLIrc 1.x WireLess IRC client 1.x branch
- WLIrc 2.x WireLess IRC client 2.x branch (requires MIDP 2.0!)
- jmIrc Rewrite of WLIrc.
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/17589/utairc/
- Virca :> (not under active development; last update 2004)
Win Mobile
- zsIRC Free-ware IRC Client. Highly recommendable! Logging, supports multi-windowtabs, wide command range, identd (limited). Automatic On-connect and On-Join commands. SmartPhone + PocketPC!!
- wmIRC 2.x Pay-ware IRC Client. Highly recommendable! Logs, supports multi-windowtabs, wide command range, colours and SSL + identd (limited). SmartPhone + PocketPC!!
- SmartIRC.Net a (Free!) dotNet client for Windows Mobile. Good compatibility, stable, single window, startup commands supported. SmartPhone + PocketPC!!
- PocketIRC A (payware) PocketPC Only!!! Client
- PocketChat A (Free!) PocketPC Only!!! Client
Java
- PJIRC One of the most widely used Java IRC Applets.
External Links
- More Clients for UNIX
- More Clients for UNIX/X
- More Clients for Windows
- Index of IRC Client Reviews by IRCReviews.Org (Might be out of date some of the times..)
- mIRCScripts.com Useful site for extending your mIRC with scripts and learn about mIRC Scripting
- mIRCScripts.org Another mIRC Scripting resource site
- TCL Plugin for X-Chat 2.x
- TCL Developer Xchange Site More info about TCL Scripting
- ScriptKitties Handy Site for Scripting in TCL for X-Chat.
- LinuxQuestions.ORG - X-Chat Linux Documentation of X-Chat