Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Self-Hosted

XChat for Windows is described as 'XChat is an IRC chat program for both Linux (Open Source) and Windows (Shareware, 30-day trial). 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 IRC Client in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to XChat for Windows for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Web-based and Self-Hosted apps. The best XChat for Windows alternative is Thunderbird, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like XChat for Windows are Pidgin, SeaMonkey, HexChat and mIRC.

Convos is an IRC client that runs in your browser and brings the IRC experience into the 21st century. It features a persistent bouncer on the server side that will keep you online even after you close your browser window. Want to use Convos on your phone? No problem!


HydraIRC is an open-source IRC client with an attractive and easy to use interface. It supports DCC Chat and File transfers, Connecting to multiple servers, Dockable Floating Tabbed Windows, Autohiding Windows, DLL Plugins, Channel Monitoring, Message Logs, Event Viewer, Themes...

Subway is a web-based IRC client with a multi-user backend and a JavaScript-heavy UI. Frontend/backend communication is done with websockets (or best available fallback where not available). The backend supports connection persistence and optional logging when the browser...




Tiny Tiny IRC is an open source AJAX-powered IRC client. The idea behind this being that you don't need either client software or even a stable network connection to stay connected to IRC, just keep the site opened to see new messages.

Tiny Tiny IRC is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to XChat for Windows.
jsIRC is written using Socket.IO, node.js, jQuery Title Alert and Sencha ExtJS, relying on string.js, Lo-Dash and PhantomJS.




bIRC is a simple, lightweight and flexible IRC-Client written in Bash. bIRC doesn't require an installation and can be launched by executing a single script file. bIRC has plugin support and can be easily modified.

Nettalk is a powerful but easy to use free (open source) IRC-client for Windows. The smart user interface is based on Windows standards, so it is easy to get used to it. The following languages for the interface are available: English, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, Hungarian...


leafChat is an IRC client for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Chat with your friends using popular IRC networks. leafChat has a friendly, clean interface that doesn't get in the way of your conversations. Connect to multiple servers at once on the same screen, so that it'.

CGI:IRC is a Perl/CGI program that lets you access IRC from a web browser, it is designed to be flexible and has many uses such as an IRC gateway for an IRC network, a chat-room for a website or to access IRC when stuck behind a restrictive firewall.


WebIRC runs as a server and is always connected to your favorite IRC networks. Seamlessly open the same session from home, work, and your mobile devices to continue exactly where you left off.
