clients for irc

this is in no way a comprehensive list

desktop clients

for ones you download on your computer

halloy

this is the one i use! it’s a new one made in rust and it got a nice customizable interface, it’s constantly getting new updates, it’s a bit more confusing to set up, you can’t just do /connect or click something to join a new server (afaik), you gotta edit the config file, here is a sample one for my irc server, note that i couldn’t figure out how to send a file through dcc using it..

mirc

this one is a classic, one of the few classic irc clients that still get updates, only on windows but it runs on wine if you care to do so, people used to love this one, although i don’t have much experience with it as it only has a 30 day free trial and after that you have to purchase a one time license for $19.95.. but if it’s money you are fine with parting, this is probably a good choice..

comlink

i couldn’t figure out how to compile this one.. probably using the wrong version of zig but i do not care enough to bother.. it’s a self described experimental irc client.. in whichever way it is experimental i do not know as they don’t specify but if you do want to use it, more power to you!

irssi

a terminal only irc client! that’s right a cli! it’s pretty good, i also use it quite a bit, it’s rather nice! not one for people not comfortable with ditching their rats (mice) for a keyboard only experience.. it does inform you when there is a chat in a different channel, but it took me a while to realize that..

and some other ones…

mobile clients

there aren’t that many and that is something i consider to have been a part in the downfall of irc

goguma

a decent client in my opinion, but without an irc bouncer it disconnects you when you put it into the background for a little bit, but that’s fine.. i have no expertise in irc bouncers, never used one, but it recommends irc today, so look into that if you want it’s also on both google play and the app store

obisianirc

this is primarily a web client but they also have an android app! it’s very discord-esque in presentation, so if you don’t want to give that up this one is for you! make sure to check the little irc checkbox if connecting to irc, read further for my views on the web app, it also disconnects on putting it to the background

web clients

these ones work from the web browser you are most likely using to view this site

i so far haven’t figured out how to use any of these there is kiwiirc, it doesn’t work and hasn’t been updated in like a decade, obsidianirc, which doesn’t fricking work becuase the web app demo doesn’t have the irc checkbox maybe if you self host it.., and the lounge which requires to be self hosted.. in which case you might just download a desktop client methinks