SelfHostHub

Self-hosted Communication - IRC

SelfHostHub lists 11 open-source IRC projects you can host on your own server. The most-starred on GitHub are The Lounge (6,359 stars), Weechat (3,407 stars) and Ergo (3,350 stars). 4 of them document a Docker install, and 3 offer a live demo you can try first.

Feature your project here

The Lounge

6.4k

Self-hosted web IRC client.

Communication - IRCMIT

Weechat

3.4k

Fast, light and extensible chat client.

Communication - IRCGPL-3.0

Ergo

3.4k

Modern IRCv3 server written in Go, combining the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer.

Communication - IRCMIT

ZNC

2.1k

Advanced IRC bouncer.

Communication - IRCApache-2.0

InspIRCd

1.4k

Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS.

Communication - IRCGPL-2.0

Kiwi IRC

989

Responsive web IRC client with theming support.

Communication - IRCApache-2.0

Glowing Bear

980

A web frontend for WeeChat.

Communication - IRCGPL-3.0

Quassel IRC

792

Distributed IRC client, meaning that one (or multiple) client(s) can attach to and detach from a central core.

Communication - IRCGPL-2.0

ngircd

581

Portable and lightweight Internet Relay Chat server for small or private networks.

Communication - IRCGPL-2.0

UnrealIRCd

525

Modular, advanced and highly configurable IRC server written in C for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS.

Communication - IRCGPL-2.0

Robust IRC

194

IRC without netsplits. Distributed IRC server, based on RobustSession protocol.

Communication - IRCBSD-3-Clause

How to choose self-hosted IRC software

  1. Check project health. Stars show popularity, not maintenance. Open the source repository and look at recent commits and releases.
  2. Match the licence to your use. 6 use a GPL-family licence (copyleft, including AGPL) and 5 use a permissive licence such as MIT, Apache-2.0 or BSD. AGPL matters if you modify the software and offer it to others over a network.
  3. Pick a stack you can run. The most common platforms here are Docker (4), Nodejs (3), C (3) and deb (3). Docker is usually the easiest path for a home server or VPS.
  4. Try before you migrate. Use a live demo where one exists (3 here), or a throwaway container first, and confirm it can import your existing data before switching.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular self-hosted IRC software?

By GitHub stars, the top projects in this category are The Lounge (6,359 stars), Weechat (3,407 stars) and Ergo (3,350 stars).

How many open-source IRC tools are listed?

11 projects are currently listed in the IRC category on SelfHostHub.

Which licences do self-hosted IRC projects use?

The most common licences in this category are GPL-2.0 (4), MIT (2) and GPL-3.0 (2).

Can I run these IRC tools with Docker?

4 of the 11 projects list Docker as a supported platform. Check each project's documentation for the exact install steps.