Textual
A native macOS client for joining and chatting in IRC networks and channels.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · macOS
Is Textual free?
No, it's a paid product
- Free trial:
- 30 days
Checked on Textual's site Nov 8, 2026
5 alternatives with a free optionSwitch from Textual to
All 5- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Textual
Textual is an IRC client built only for the Mac. It connects to any number of IRC networks at once and shows channels and private messages in a sidebar-and-conversation layout that follows macOS conventions, with light and dark appearances. Under the hood it handles the things regular IRC users need: IRCv3 capabilities, SASL and client-certificate login, SSL/TLS, proxies, and connecting through bouncers such as ZNC. Chat views use open-standard styles, so the look can be changed, and the app can be extended with scripts in AppleScript, Swift, Python and other languages. It also has nickname completion, ignore rules, message filters and inline media previews. Textual is sold as a one-time licence with no subscription, and it can be tried free for 30 days first. In October 2026 the app moved to a new maintainer, Blendbyte, which has started shipping updates to version 7 and plans a version 8. It runs on macOS 12 Monterey or later and has no Windows, Linux or mobile versions, so it suits people who live in IRC on a Mac rather than mixed-device setups.
Best for: Mac users who spend a lot of time on IRC and want a native app instead of a terminal client.
Textual pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Textual's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 30 days | Nov 8, 2026 | textualapp.com |
| Pricing | One-time purchase, no subscription | Nov 8, 2026 | textualapp.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Feels like a proper Mac app, with light and dark chat styles
- Supports IRCv3, SASL, client certificates and ZNC bouncers
- One-time licence with no subscription, usable on all your Macs
- Scriptable in AppleScript, Swift, Python and other languages
Why people leave
- macOS only, with no Windows, Linux or phone apps
- Not free after the 30-day trial, unlike most IRC clients
- Does not stay connected when the Mac is off without a separate bouncer
Textual vs Element, Discord and Halloy
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Textual | Element | Discord | Halloy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Open source | Free plan + paid | Open source |
| Verified price | — | — | $2.99 a month (Nitro Basic) | — |
| Free plan | No | Free app | Yes | Free app |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | Yes | No | No |
| Platforms | macOS | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | macOS, Windows, Linux |
Top Textual alternatives
See all 5- 1
Element63.2Matrix client with open, federated rooms, where many open-source communities moved from IRC channels.
- 2
Discord59.4Where many communities that left IRC now gather, with voice, video and free cross-platform apps.
- 3
Halloy50.0Free, open-source IRC client for macOS, Windows and Linux with a modern interface and IRCv3 support.
- 4
Zulip49.9Open-source chat with topic-based threads, adopted by a number of projects that used to coordinate on IRC.
- 5
KVIrc49.0Free, open-source IRC client that runs on macOS as well as Windows and Linux, with scripting and themes.
Why people left Textual
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 Textual, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Textual: common questions
What is Textual?
Textual: A native macOS client for joining and chatting in IRC networks and channels. Best for mac users who spend a lot of time on IRC and want a native app instead of a terminal client. Available for macOS.
Is Textual free?
No, Textual is a paid product.
How much does Textual cost?
Textual is a paid product. Free trial: 30 days; Pricing: One-time purchase, no subscription. Checked on Textual's own site, November 2026.
Does Textual have a free trial or refund?
Free trial: 30 days. Source: Textual's own site.
Is Textual open source?
No, Textual is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Element, Halloy and Zulip.
What platforms does Textual run on?
Textual is available for macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Textual?
The highest-ranked Textual alternatives right now are Element, Discord and Halloy. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Textual vs Element: what's the difference?
Textual is a paid product; Element is free and open source. Element is open source and Textual is not. Only Element runs on Web, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.