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WeeChat vs The Lounge: catalog facts
WeeChat	The Lounge
Free Free software; the project accepts donations.	Free Free and open source under the MIT licence.
Linux, Command line	Web, Self-hosted
Full-featured IRC support including SASL and DCC Scripting in eight languages with a script manager	Always connected, no separate bouncer needed Responsive interface for phones and desktops
Terminal only, with a learning curve for new users IRC is the main built-in protocol	Requires running your own Node.js server IRC only
Downloadable app	Self-hosted
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License: MIT
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

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