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HexChat

Free, open-source graphical IRC client for Windows and Linux, now unmaintained.

Open sourceIRC clients

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, Linux

Visit HexChatSee 3 alternatives

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

Is HexChat free?

Yes, free and open source

License:
GPL-2.0

Checked on HexChat's site Nov 8, 2026

Switch from HexChat to

All 3
  • Halloy logo
    Halloy

    Open source

  • KVIrc logo
    KVIrc

    Open source

  • mIRC logo
    mIRC

    Starting price: $19.95 one-time (personal, 1 year of updates)

Verified facts
4 of 4
Alternatives ranked
3
Approved reviews
0
Visits sent from here
0

About HexChat

HexChat is a desktop IRC client that began as a free fork of XChat, whose Windows build used to be shareware. It gives you a classic tabbed or tree view of servers and channels, connects to many networks at once with automatic join and NickServ identification, and supports SASL, proxies, DCC file transfers and spell checking. It can be extended with scripts in Lua, Python and Perl, and community themes change its look. For years it was the default choice for people who wanted a straightforward GUI IRC client on Windows or Linux. In February 2024 its maintainer published 2.16.2 as the final release and said the project had been largely unmaintained for years; the GitHub repository is now archived. It still installs from the official Windows installers and Flathub, and it is free under the GPL-2.0 licence, but anyone choosing an IRC client today may prefer an actively developed one.

Best for: Existing users who want a familiar, free GUI IRC client and accept that it gets no more updates.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Free and open source under GPL-2.0
  • Connects to many networks with auto-join and SASL
  • Scriptable in Lua, Python and Perl

Why people leave

  • No longer maintained; 2.16.2 was the final release
  • No official macOS build
  • Dated interface compared with newer clients

HexChat vs Halloy, KVIrc and mIRC

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeHexChatHalloyKVIrcmIRC
PricingOpen sourceOpen sourceOpen sourcePaid
Verified price———$19.95 one-time (personal, 1 year of updates)
Free planFree appFree appFree appNo
Open sourceYesYesYesNo
Self-hostableNoNoNoNo
PlatformsWindows, LinuxmacOS, Windows, LinuxWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows

Top HexChat alternatives

See all 3
  1. 1Halloy logo
    Halloy

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

    68.8
  2. 2KVIrc logo
    KVIrc

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

    64.8
  3. 3mIRC logo
    mIRC

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

    61.8

Why people left HexChat

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from HexChat, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

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HexChat: common questions

What is HexChat?

HexChat: Free, open-source graphical IRC client for Windows and Linux, now unmaintained. Best for existing users who want a familiar, free GUI IRC client and accept that it gets no more updates. Available for Windows and Linux.

Is HexChat free?

Yes. HexChat is free, open-source software.

Is HexChat open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at hexchat/hexchat.

What platforms does HexChat run on?

HexChat is available for Windows and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to HexChat?

The highest-ranked HexChat alternatives right now are Halloy, KVIrc and mIRC. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

HexChat vs Halloy: what's the difference?

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

See all 3 HexChat alternatives