HexChat Alternatives

HexChat is described as 'IRC client based on XChat for Linux , but unlike XChat it’s completely free for both Windows and Unix-like systems' and is a very popular IRC Client in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to HexChat for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Self-Hosted and Web-based apps. The best HexChat alternative is Pidgin, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like HexChat are SeaMonkey, Adium, mIRC and WeeChat.

More about HexChat

HexChat alternatives page was last updated Jul 10, 2025

X-Chat 2 for Windows
22 likes
A freeware build of X-Chat for windows, as opposed to the official 30-day-trial shareware Windows build.
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Origin
Lithuania
EU
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Windows
+1
Is X-Chat 2 for Windows a good alternative to HexChat?
bIRC
7 likes
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.
52 bIRC alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
IRC Client
Origin
International
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Mac
Linux
Is bIRC a good alternative to HexChat?
I
I
Iris IRC Client
1 like
Web IRC client for the Atheme platform.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Linux
Online
Self-Hosted
Python
JavaScript
I
Is Iris IRC Client a good alternative to HexChat?
Glowing Bear
7 likes
Glowing Bear is a sleek, modern web frontend that securely connects to a running instance of WeeChat using its built-in relay protocol. It relies on WeeChat to do all the heavy lifting and then provides some nice features on top of that, like...
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application type
IRC Client
Platforms
Online
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
WeeChat
Is Glowing Bear a good alternative to HexChat?
Convos
8 likes
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!
59 Convos alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
IRC Client
Origin
Norway
Platforms
Online
Self-Hosted
Is Convos a good alternative to HexChat?
ClicksAndWhistles
1 like
ClicksAndWhistles is a free IRC client for Windows. Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a form of real-time Internet text messaging allowing you to communicate with others in IRC channels (chat rooms) and one-to-one communication via private messages.
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Origin
United States
Platforms
Windows
Is ClicksAndWhistles a good alternative to HexChat?
ZeroChat
13 likes
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.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Self-Hosted
Python
JavaScript
ZeroNet
Is ZeroChat a good alternative to HexChat?
R
R
relay.js
2 likes
A web-based IRC client that makes IRC less intimidating and easier to use.
62 relay.js alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
IRC Client
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Linux
Online
Self-Hosted
JavaScript
Node.JS
npm
R
Is relay.js a good alternative to HexChat?
Qwebirc
7 likes
qwebirc is a web based AJAX IRC client.
59 Qwebirc alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Platforms
Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
Is Qwebirc a good alternative to HexChat?
ERC
Like
ERC, an acronym for "Emacs IRC," is a feature-rich IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client integrated into the GNU Emacs text editor. It provides users with a convenient and powerful tool for connecting to and participating in online chat networks.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application type
IRC Client
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
F-Droid
Haiku
Homebrew
Is ERC a good alternative to HexChat?
J
J
jsIRC
6 likes
jsIRC is written using Socket.IO, node.js, jQuery Title Alert and Sencha ExtJS, relying on string.js, Lo-Dash and PhantomJS.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
IRC Client
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Online
Self-Hosted
Socket.io
Node.JS
jQuery
+1
J
Is jsIRC a good alternative to HexChat?
senpai
2 likes
A modern terminal IRC client.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (ISC)
Application type
IRC Client
Platforms
Mac
Linux
Is senpai a good alternative to HexChat?