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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 SeaMonkey, HexChat, irssi and KVIrc.

XChat for Linux alternatives are mainly IRC Clients but may also be Instant Messengers or Web Browsers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of XChat for Linux.
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XChat for Linux iconXChat for Linux
  103
  • Windows
  • Linux

XChat is an IRC chat program for both Linux and Windows. It allows you to join multiple IRC channels (chat rooms) at the...

Learn more about XChat for Linux
  1. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Xfce
    116 alternatives to Pidgin 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPidgin can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    2.  Multiple Account supportPidgin support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
    3.  VoiP CallsPidgin allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
    4.  PortablePidgin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    Pidgin chat window
    Contact window
  2. SeaMonkey icon

    SeaMonkey

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    240 alternatives to SeaMonkey 

    Web-browser, advanced e-mail, newsgroup and feed client, IRC chat, and HTML editing in one application. Itis built on the open source Mozilla Gecko engine, the same code which underlies Thunderbird and is the base for the Firefox browser.

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    Features
    1.  WYSIWYG SupportSeaMonkey integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
    2.  LightweightSeaMonkey consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    3.  Privacy focusedSeaMonkey is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    4.  PortableSeaMonkey can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSeaMonkey can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    6.  Ad-freeSeaMonkey doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  4. HexChat icon

    HexChat

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    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    64 alternatives to HexChat 

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

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    Features
    1.  PortableHexChat can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    HexChat vs XChat for Linux opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    Guest

    Based off of the XChat codebase.

    Updated and actively developed.

    It is a near "drop in" replacement.

    Positive comment• ago
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  5. irssi icon

    irssi

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
    61 alternatives to irssi 

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

     irssi has no features, suggest some!
    Screenshot
  6. KVIrc icon

    KVIrc

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    55 alternatives to KVIrc 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  PortableKVIrc can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  8. Quassel IRC icon

    Quassel IRC

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    57 alternatives to Quassel IRC 

    Quassel IRC is a modern, cross-platform, distributed IRC client based on the Qt4 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...

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    Features
    Screenshot
  9. Kiwi IRC icon

    Kiwi IRC

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    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    66 alternatives to Kiwi IRC 

    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.

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    Features
    Screenshot
  10. WeeChat icon

    WeeChat

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    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • Xfce
    52 alternatives to WeeChat 

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

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    Features
    1.  Command line interfaceWeeChat either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsWeeChat can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  11. ZeroChat icon

    ZeroChat

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • ZeroNet
    92 alternatives to ZeroChat 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  DecentralizedZeroChat is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    Discontinued

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

    Screenshot
  12. Konversation icon

    Konversation

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Linux
    56 alternatives to Konversation 

    Konversation is an IRC client which gives you speedy access to Freenode network's channels, where you will find support for most distributions.

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    Features
    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 42 alternatives
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