Skip to content
whatismyalternative

Irssi

Modular text mode chat client with IRC support

Visit Irssi

Irssi is a modular text-mode chat client with IRC support built in. It provides a terminal interface for connecting to IRC networks, joining channels, and exchanging messages, while allowing additional protocols to be added through modules written in C. The client is fully themeable, with support for true colors and per-message styling, and includes a scripting API with signal handling for extending its behavior.

Core capabilities include IRC commands for channels, queries, DCC, and server operations, along with window management, logging, aliases, key bindings, highlighting, ignore lists, and statusbar configuration. Protocol modules for ICB and SILC can be loaded alongside IRC, and an IRC proxy is available. The scripting API supports automation and custom functionality through existing scripts or new ones written against the signal mechanism.

Irssi is intended for users who want a scriptable, terminal-based IRC client with support for additional protocols. It is distributed as open-source software, with source code, themes, scripts, and modules available separately. The project maintains a security page listing past vulnerabilities and affected versions, and users are directed to report security issues to the project staff.

12 alternatives to Irssi

Ranked by how well each tool replaces Irssi: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. mIRC

    Internet Relay Chat client for Windows

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    65 out of 100 match—

  2. WeeChat

    Fast, light and extensible chat client with a text-based user interface

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    64 out of 100 matchFree

  3. IRCCloud

    An IRC client for group chat with teams, friends and communities, available on web and iOS

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free plan
    63 out of 100 matchContact sales

  4. KVIrc

    The Visual IRC Client

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    63 out of 100 matchContact sales

  5. XChat

    IRC chat program for Linux and Windows

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    63 out of 100 match—

  6. Kiwi IRC

    A hand-crafted web IRC client that's easy to enjoy

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    62 out of 100 match—

  7. UnrealIRCd

    The next generation IRCd.

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    61 out of 100 match—

  8. The Lounge

    The self-hosted web IRC client

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    61 out of 100 matchFree

  9. Konversation

    A user-friendly Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    60 out of 100 match—

  10. Adium

    A free instant messaging application for macOS that connects to XMPP (Jabber), IRC and IM

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    59 out of 100 matchFree

  11. InspIRCd

    A high-performance Internet Relay Chat (IRCv3) server for UNIX-like and Windows systems

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    59 out of 100 match—

  12. Gajim

    Free and fully featured chat app for XMPP.

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    58 out of 100 matchFree