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Quassel IRC vs ZNC: catalog facts
Quassel IRCZNC
Free

Free and open source under the GPL.

Free

Free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license.

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Self-hosted macOS, Linux, Self-hosted
  • Core stays online and keeps history while clients disconnect
  • Several clients can attach to the same core
  • Keeps IRC sessions alive while clients come and go
  • Multiple users and multiple networks per user
  • Running a core requires a server or always-on machine
  • Stable releases are infrequent, with long gaps between them
  • Needs an always-on server to be useful
  • One client connection is needed per IRC network
Downloadable app, Self-hosted Downloadable app, Self-hosted
Open source Open source
License: GPL-2.0 License: Apache-2.0
No account needed No account needed
Not stated if it works offline Not stated if it works offline

Checked October 2, 2026

Checked September 24, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.