SSH Chat Alternatives

SSH Chat is described as 'Chat over SSH' and is an app in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to SSH Chat for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Web-based and Self-Hosted apps. The best SSH Chat alternative is HexChat, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like SSH Chat are Trillian, Empathy, mIRC and WeeChat.

SSH Chat
  0
  • Free • Open Source
  • ...

Chat over SSH.

More about SSH Chat
More about SSH Chat
SSH Chat alternatives page was last updated May 21, 2025
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. HexChat icon

    HexChat

     217 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    HexChat is an IRC client based on XChat for Linux , but unlike XChat it’s completely free for both Windows and Unix-like systems.

    67 HexChat alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    HexChat screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The version 2.16.2 is the final version of the software. The author announced that "The project has largely been unmaintained for years now and nobody else stepped up to do that work."

    HexChat Features

    1.  IRC
    2.  Portable
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Proxy support

    HexChat VS SSH Chat

     

    • HexChat is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to SSH Chat.

    • HexChat is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to SSH Chat.

    • HexChat is Free and Open SourceSSH Chat is also Free and Open Source
  2. Trillian icon

    Trillian

     280 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Trillian is an instant messaging app that works on phones, tablets, and desktops while keeping your chats neatly synchronized between all of them! We think conversation should be easily shared between all of your devices, not trapped as text messages on your phone.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Trillian screenshot 1

    Trillian Features

    1.  Support for Multiple protocols
    2. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    3.  Messages
    4.  IMAP Support
    5.  POP3 Support

    Trillian VS SSH Chat

     

    • Trillian is the most popular Web-based, Android, Mac, iPhone, iPad & SaaS alternative to SSH Chat.

    • Trillian is Freemium and ProprietarySSH Chat is Free and Open Source
  4. Empathy icon

    Empathy

     157 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Empathy is a messaging program which supports text, voice, video chat, and file transfers over many different protocols. You can tell it about your accounts on all those services and do all your chatting within one application.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Empathy screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Empathy Features

    1.  Unified messaging
    2.  Support for Multiple protocols
    3. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    4.  SIP
    5.  Integrated File Sharing
    6.  Voice Chat

    Empathy VS SSH Chat

     
  5. mIRC icon

    mIRC

     94 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    mIRC is a popular Internet Relay Chat client used by individuals and organizations to communicate, share, play and work with each other on IRC networks around the world.

    62 mIRC alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main Window

    mIRC Features

    1.  IRC
    2.  Colored Text

    mIRC VS SSH Chat

     

    • mIRC is the most popular commercial alternative to SSH Chat.

    • mIRC is Paid and ProprietarySSH Chat is Free and Open Source
  6. WeeChat icon

    WeeChat

     35 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    WeeChat is a free chat client, fast and light, designed for many operating systems. It is highly customizable and extensible with scripts.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • Xfce
    WeeChat screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  IRC
    4.  Modular System
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Decentralized
    9.  Support for @mentions
    10.  Portable
    11.  Multiple Account support
    12.  Support for Multiple protocols

    WeeChat VS SSH Chat

     
  7. irssi icon

    irssi

     84 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Irssi is a terminal based IRC client for UNIX systems. It also supports SILC and ICB protocols via plugins.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
    irssi screenshot 1

    irssi VS SSH Chat

     
  9. XChat for Linux icon

    XChat for Linux

     103 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    XChat is an IRC chat program for both Linux and Windows. It allows you to join multiple IRC channels (chat rooms) at the same time, talk publicly, private one-on-one conversations etc. Even file transfers are possible.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Main UI
    Discontinued

    The program is no longer updated. Last version, 2.8.8, released in May 2010, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    XChat for Linux Features

    1.  IRC

    XChat for Linux VS SSH Chat

     
  10. Quassel IRC icon

    Quassel IRC

     49 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Quassel IRC is a modern, cross-platform, distributed IRC client based on the Qt5 framework. Distributed means that one (or multiple) client(s) can attach to and detach from a central core that stays permanently online -- much like the popular combination of screen and a...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Quassel IRC screenshot 1

    Quassel IRC Features

    1.  QT Based
    2.  Standalone
    3.  IRC

    Quassel IRC VS SSH Chat

     
  11. KVIrc icon

    KVIrc

     45 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    KVIrc is a free portable IRC client based on the excellent Qt GUI toolkit. KVirc is being written by Szymon Stefanek and the KVIrc Development Team with the contribution of many IRC addicted developers around the world.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    KVIrc screenshot 1

    KVIrc Features

    1.  Logging
    2.  IRC
    3.  Avatar
    4.  Portable
    5.  KDE
    6.  Custom notifications
    7.  Themes
    8.  Support for IPv6

    KVIrc VS SSH Chat

     
  12. Kiwi IRC icon

    Kiwi IRC

     27 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    A hand-crafted IRC client that you can enjoy. Designed to be used easily and freely. More friendly than other webirc clients giving the general public an easy option to connect to any IRC network.

    65 Kiwi IRC alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    Kiwi IRC screenshot 1

    Kiwi IRC Features

    1.  IRC
    2.  Preconfigurable auto-connect

    Kiwi IRC VS SSH Chat

     

    • Kiwi IRC is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to SSH Chat.

    • Kiwi IRC is Free and Open SourceSSH Chat is also Free and Open Source
  13. AdiIRC icon

    AdiIRC

     29 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    c#/csharp IRC CLient. AdiIRC stores all its settings in text files, this way you can grab the adiirc folder and put in on a usb device or external harddrive. Take all your settings and servers with you everywhere!

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • NO flagNorway

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Wine
    Default theme 1.9.0

    AdiIRC Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  IRC

    AdiIRC VS SSH Chat

     
  14. IRCCloud icon

    IRCCloud

     17 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    IRCCloud is an IRC client with a future. Stay connected, chat from anywhere, and never miss a message.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    IRCCloud screenshot 1

    IRCCloud Features

    1.  Offline logs
    2.  IRC

    IRCCloud VS SSH Chat

     
12 of 51 SSH Chat alternatives