AppBreakup
Submit an app

HexChat alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll IRC clients

Top picks

  • Halloy logo

    Best overall

    Halloy

    Open source

  • KVIrc logo

    Best free option

    KVIrc

    Open source

  • Halloy logo

    Best open source

    Halloy

    Open source

Common reasons people leave HexChat: no longer maintained; 2.16.2 was the final release, and no official macOS build. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces HexChat, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Halloy currently ranks first.

HexChat has been discontinued. Version 2.16.2 (February 2024) was announced as the final release on the HexChat news page.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Halloy logoHalloyOpen source—YesmacOS, Windows, Linux5 of 568.8
2KVIrc logoKVIrcOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 464.8
3mIRC logomIRCPaid$19.95 one-time (personal, 1 year of updates)NoWindows6 of 661.8
  1. Halloy logo

    1. HalloyTop pick

    Best for: People who want a fast, modern graphical IRC client with strong IRCv3 support on any desktop

    Open sourcemacOS, Windows, Linux

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from HexChat

    Actively developed open-source IRC client with a modern interface that also runs on macOS.

    Pros

    • Native app on macOS, Windows and Linux
    • Wide IRCv3 support, including chat history and read markers
    • Works with soju and ZNC bouncers
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Configuration is done by editing a TOML file
    • No scripting language like mIRC or WeeChat
    • No mobile app
    Visit Halloy Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Halloy a good HexChat alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026halloy.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Built with
    Rust and iced
    Checked Nov 8, 2026halloy.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Configuration
    config.toml file
    Checked Nov 8, 2026halloy.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    IRCv3
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026halloy.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. KVIrc logo

    2. KVIrc

    Best for: People who want a free graphical IRC client with scripting on Windows, Mac or Linux

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from HexChat

    Free, still-maintained Qt IRC client for Windows, macOS and Linux with deep scripting.

    Pros

    • Graphical client on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Own scripting language and community addons
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Busy interface with a very large number of settings
    • Slow release pace with a small volunteer team
    • macOS builds are less polished than Windows and Linux ones
    Visit KVIrc Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is KVIrc a good HexChat alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0 (with exception)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Toolkit
    Qt
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kvirc.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest release
    5.2.10 (Dec 2025)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kvirc.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence exception
    Extended GPL
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kvirc.net(opens source in a new tab)
  3. mIRC logo

    3. mIRC

    Best for: Windows users who want a polished graphical IRC client with deep scripting

    PaidWindows

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from HexChat

    Long-running Windows IRC client with its own scripting language, sold as shareware with updates.

    Pros

    • Own scripting language with a large community script library
    • Supports SASL, SSL/TLS, IRCv3 and multiple servers
    • Still actively updated after three decades

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Paid licence after a 30-day trial, while most IRC clients are free
    • Interface looks dated next to modern chat apps
    Visit mIRC Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is mIRC a good HexChat alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mirc.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Personal licence
    $19.95 (one year of updates)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mirc.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business licence
    $34.95 per user
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mirc.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platform
    Windows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mirc.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocol support
    SSL, SASL, IRCv3, IPv6
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mirc.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $19.95 one-time (personal, 1 year of updates)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mirc.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best HexChat alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Halloy logo

Best HexChat alternative for most people

Halloy

Actively developed open-source IRC client with a modern interface that also runs on macOS.

KVIrc logo

Best HexChat alternative for a free option

KVIrc

Free, still-maintained Qt IRC client for Windows, macOS and Linux with deep scripting.

Halloy logo

Best HexChat alternative for open source

Halloy

Actively developed open-source IRC client with a modern interface that also runs on macOS.

Halloy logo

Best HexChat alternative for Mac

Halloy

Actively developed open-source IRC client with a modern interface that also runs on macOS.

mIRC logo

Best HexChat alternative for Windows

mIRC

Long-running Windows IRC client with its own scripting language, sold as shareware with updates.

Halloy logo

Best HexChat alternative for Linux

Halloy

Actively developed open-source IRC client with a modern interface that also runs on macOS.

HexChat alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to HexChat?

Halloy ranks first right now. Actively developed open-source IRC client with a modern interface that also runs on macOS. KVIrc and mIRC follow it in our ranking.

HexChat vs Halloy: what's the difference?

Both HexChat and Halloy are free and open source. Only Halloy runs on macOS.

Is HexChat free?

HexChat is free and open source.

Is there a free alternative to HexChat?

Yes. Halloy (open source) and KVIrc (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to HexChat?

Yes: Halloy and KVIrc.

Which HexChat alternatives work on Linux?

Halloy and KVIrc run on Linux.

Why do people switch from HexChat?

The complaints we hear most: no longer maintained; 2.16.2 was the final release; no official macOS build; dated interface compared with newer clients.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces HexChat, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.