Are you looking for the best IRC chat programs ? Here is a selection of dedicated Internet Relay Chat clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Communicating using chats has now become a habit in modern times, unlocking the screen of your smartphone and accessing a dedicated application to send messages, images and anything you want, is much more practical than a phone call or emails with technology.
In this context, you can rely not only on the best-known chat software such as Telegram or WhatsApp , but also on solutions such as IRC chats . These applications can guarantee you interesting functions for chats without registration or offer you interactions very similar to those of MettMe , Nirvam or Omegle .
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Index
- What is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
- What are the best programs for free IRC Chat networks
- mIRC (Windows)
- WeeChat (Windows)
- SeaMonkey (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Smuxi (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- KVirc (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- IceChat (Windows)
- LimeChat (macOS)
- Konversation (Linux)
- X-Chat (Windows, macOS)
- Pidgins (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- HexChat (Windows)
- HydraIRC (Windows)
- Best Italian IRC servers
What is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
Perhaps you have never heard of the acronym IRC (Internet Relay Chat), this expression identifies a textual communication protocol that allows you, in real time, to connect and chat via the internet with different people .
The user who chooses an IRC chat connects to a dedicated server and can use it as a tool to receive or send messages.
What are the best programs for free IRC Chat networks
As you can imagine, such a chat can differ depending on the software you choose and the servers you select. Let’s see the best programs to make the most of the potential of an IRC chat .
- mIRC (Windows)
When you are looking for a reliable and particularly useful IRC chat for both work and communicating with friends, you almost always turn to mIRC . With this tool, accessible from the mIRC official website , you will be able to chat, play, share files and work using the fast and reliable networks of this platform. The interface is perhaps too simplified , but after a few minutes you will easily get used to interacting with scripts and functions . Currently you can take advantage of the 30-day free trial , while if you want the single-user license you will have to invest $20 and up.
- WeeChat (Windows)
WeeChat is a very fast platform for sending and receiving messages , it represents a real plug-in capable of including IPv6 , DCC and many servers to connect to to communicate with other people. The interface is intuitive and allows you to interact with 8 different programming languages already integrated. You can use WeeChat via web browser , Android or with remote systems. It is presented in both English and Italian and you can access it completely free of charge .
- SeaMonkey (Windows, macOS, Linux)
If you want a program that is graphically more appealing you can opt for SeaMonkey , a free open source solution capable of guaranteeing you both an e-mail client and an online page editor for the IRC network in a single solution. The software makes the most of the navigation of the Mozilla Firefox engine and is an IRC chat entirely in Italian . You will have the possibility to access it both from Windows , and from alternative systems such as macOS and Linux . Many users rely on this program because it is periodically updated with new features.
- Smuxi (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Is your aim to chat both publicly and privately using one platform? Then Smuxi could be for you as it is a universal IRC client that you can use on both macOS , Windows and Linux Gnome . Also in this case you will notice an interface without too many frills , with which you can access advanced features for spell checking or for command management . It is certainly a system designed for experts , but you can also try it as a beginner since it is in Italian .
- KVirc (Windows, macOS, Linux)
IRC online project that might surprise you with its portability , since it doesn’t need installation , is KVIrc . The program was built by a very active community of developers interested in IRC. You will have no problems interfacing with the main commands, in fact, they are all in Italian and based on the GUI QT tookit . The possibility of installing it for free and excellent customization of the chats make this program a valid alternative to the software listed above, also because it is compatible with both Windows and macOS and Linux .
- IceChat (Windows)
IRC online chat with unique features and extremely easy to use is IceChat . Software designed for both experts and for those who have never used an IRC chat , in fact, you will only have to enter a nickname and select the IRC server on which to play or communicate . Among its strengths is the possibility of connecting several channels to several servers , effectively creating different lines of communication with your friends or acquaintances . You will be able to customize most of the interface and even insert emoticons and server lists favorites to make it even faster. You can access the software for free by connecting to the official IceChat website . It also offers Portable version.
- LimeChat (macOS)
Using an Apple operating system on your Mac you may need software that takes full advantage of SSL encryption . Among the IRC chats that best guarantee this condition is LimeChat , a free platform with which you can receive and send message notifications , but also extend its functionality to include clickable links and multiple servers connected at the same time . It’s not aesthetically the best interface you’ll see on your Apple device, but there’s no shortage of features and performance to send messages quickly and securely . We recommend that you also use keyboard shortcuts to make navigation easier.
- Konversation (Linux)
With the Linux terminal you can access several tools that implement the online IRC chat , but as you know, in some cases you may encounter problems connecting to the servers. In order to benefit from all the best features on Linux you could choose Konversation , free software developed to ensure perfect communication. In addition to being among the most customizable solutions, it also allows you to: view notifications on the screen , take advantage of command shortcuts , add bookmarks , support DCC files and detect URLs automatically .
- X-Chat (Windows, macOS)
Windows is among the most problematic operating systems with IRC chats, which is why we have selected an easy-to-use and trouble-free client. X-Chat is a free open source that allows you to start multiple IRC chats at the same time , applying a private or public communication filter. It is currently among the most used programs on Windows because it allows you to send and receive even large files , as well as supporting SSL . You can also download a macOS version , but it has stability issues in the latest update.
- Pidgins (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Little jewel for IRC chats is Pidgin , mainly developed to allow you to connect to multiple messaging channels at the same time . You will be able to connect multiple networks that also include popular providers such as Google , Messenger or Yahoo! in order to use the notification and file transfer features. It’s not the easiest to learn, but you can download and try it for free to experience its capabilities without too much thought.
- HexChat (Windows)
If you did a quick search on the web you would notice that HexChat has had several names over time, one of which is XChat-WDK . Unlike its predecessor, the new version is completely free and can be used on all Windows operating systems. The interface is handled very well both graphically and in chat functions , as well as versatile script languages such as Perl , Python and Lua . In addition to being in Italian , HexChat has interesting features such as spelling correction , proxies and DCC .
- HydraIRC (Windows)
If the IRC clients just examined do not convince you because they are complex to use, you can think of HydraIRC , one of the simplest software to interface with. Although it was initially developed for power users, over time it has become the most user-friendly client , also because it is completely free . You will be able to use different servers and all the advanced GUI toolkits to start a chat with whoever you want. We advise you to give it a try since it allows you to access as many networks as you want without limitations and to chat endlessly , in fact, there are no time constraints.
