Alternatives to Halloy

An open-source IRC client for macOS, Windows and Linux, written in Rust and focused on speed. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Halloy.

  • WeeChat

    An extensible terminal chat client with a full IRC plugin and scripting in eight languages.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    WeeChat is a terminal IRC client with scripting in eight languages and remote interfaces, so you trade Halloy's native GUI for a server-friendly console tool.

  • Irssi

    A terminal-based IRC client with split windows, extensive settings and scripting support.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxCommand line

    Irssi is a terminal IRC client that runs over SSH with scripting and split windows, replacing Halloy's graphical interface with keyboard commands.

  • Konversation

    A graphical IRC client from KDE with DCC file transfers, per-channel encodings and an embedded terminal.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    Konversation is a graphical KDE IRC client with DCC file transfers and per-channel encodings, available on Windows and Linux but not macOS.

  • The Lounge

    A self-hosted web IRC client that stays connected to servers while you are offline.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    The Lounge is a self-hosted web IRC client that stays connected while you are offline, but it requires running your own Node.js server.

  • mIRC

    A long-running Windows client for chatting on Internet Relay Chat networks, sold as shareware.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    mIRC is a long-running Windows-only IRC client sold as proprietary shareware requiring registration, unlike the free, open-source, cross-platform Halloy.

  • Textual

    A native macOS IRC client with IRCv3 support, OTR encryption and customizable styles.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    Textual is a paid, closed-source native macOS IRC client with IRCv3 and OTR encryption, limited to macOS Monterey or later.

  • Pidgin

    A chat client that signs in to several networks at once, supporting XMPP, IRC, Matrix and more through plugins.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Pidgin is a GPL-2.0 multi-network client with IRC and XMPP built in and plugins, though its interface is dated and releases are infrequent.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.