Alternatives to mIRC

A long-running Windows client for chatting on Internet Relay Chat networks, sold as shareware. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

  • mIRC

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

    PaidProprietaryWindows

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as mIRC.

  • Halloy

    An open-source IRC client for macOS, Windows and Linux, written in Rust and focused on speed.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Halloy is a free, open-source graphical IRC client for Windows, macOS and Linux with broad IRCv3 support, configured by editing a single TOML file.

  • Konversation

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    Konversation is a free, open-source graphical IRC client from KDE for Windows and Linux, with DCC file transfers and per-channel encodings.

  • WeeChat

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    WeeChat is a free, open-source terminal IRC client with scripting in eight languages, but it runs on Linux and has a learning curve.

  • Irssi

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

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxCommand line

    Irssi is a free, open-source terminal IRC client for macOS and Linux that is scriptable and keyboard driven, and it does not run natively on Windows.

  • The Lounge

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

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    The Lounge is a free, self-hosted web IRC client that stays connected while you are offline, usable from any device, but it needs a Node.js server.

  • 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 free GPL client for Windows that connects to IRC alongside XMPP and other networks from one window, though its interface is dated.

  • Textual

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

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    Textual is a paid native IRC client with IRCv3 support and OTR encryption, but it runs on macOS only rather than Windows.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.