Open Source XChat for Linux Alternatives

    The best open source alternative to XChat for Linux is Pidgin. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to XChat for Linux and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to XChat for Linux are HexChat (Free, Open Source), KVIrc (Free, Open Source), Quassel IRC (Free, Open Source) and irssi (Free, Open Source).

    This page was last updated Sep 13, 2021
    1. Pidgin is an easy to use, multi-protocol chat client client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, XMPP, and more chat networks all at once. It has built-in support for NSS, offering client-to-server message encryption for protocols that support it.
      show more ▾

    2. HexChat

      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • BSD
      • PortableApps.com
      • Xfce
      • MacPorts
      • XQuartz
      ▼
      ▼
      HexChat is an IRC client based on XChat for Linux , but unlike XChat it’s completely free for both Windows and Unix-like systems. HexChat was originally called XChat-WDK which in turn was a successor of freakschat.
      show more ▾
      HexChat vs XChat for Linux opinions
      pros, cons and recent comments
      Based off of the XChat codebase. Updated and actively developed. It is a near "drop in" replacement.
      Positive comment • over 5 years ago

      0
    4. 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.
      show more ▾

    5. Quassel IRC

      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • Self-Hosted
      ▼
      ▼
      Quassel IRC is a modern, cross-platform, distributed IRC client based on the Qt4 framework.
      show more ▾

    6. irssi

      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • BSD
      • Cygwin
      ▼
      ▼
      Irssi is a terminal based IRC client for UNIX systems. It also supports SILC and ICB protocols via plugins.
      show more ▾
    8. WeeChat is a fast, light and extensible chat client. It runs on many platforms (including Linux, BSD and Mac OS).
      show more ▾

    9. ZeroChat

      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • Online
      • Self-Hosted
      • Python
      • JavaScript
      • ZeroNet
      ▼
      ▼
      An IRC-like internet chatroom hosted on ZeroNet, a distributed network. 0rc is a fully distributed website, and messages are shared through peers using the ZeroNet stack. In addition, making a new chatroom website is a simple as downloading the files and cloning the site.

      Discontinued

      Last update on github made over 5 years (March 13, 2016).

    10. 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.
    11. Features: Standard IRC features. SSL server support. Bookmarking support. Easy to use graphical user interface. Multiple servers and channels in one single window. DCC file transfer. Multiple identities for different servers. Text decorations and colors.

    12. Smuxi

      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      ▼
      ▼
      Smuxi is an irssi-inspired, flexible, user-friendly and cross-platform IRC client for sophisticated users, targeting the GNOME desktop.

      Discontinued

      The last activity in the Smuxi project was in 2015

      show more ▾
    Showing 10 of 40 alternatives