XChat for Linux is described as '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' and is a very popular IRC Client in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to XChat for Linux for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Web-based and Self-Hosted apps. The best XChat for Linux alternative is Pidgin, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like XChat for Linux are HexChat, SeaMonkey, WeeChat and mIRC.
Based off of the XChat codebase.
Updated and actively developed.
It is a near "drop in" replacement.