Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

mIRC VS The Lounge

Compare mIRC VS The Lounge and see what are their differences

mIRC logo mIRC

mIRC: Internet Relay Chat client

The Lounge logo The Lounge

The Lounge is a web IRC client that you host on your own server.
  • mIRC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-25
  • The Lounge Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-03

mIRC features and specs

  • Extensive Scripting Language
    mIRC offers a robust scripting language, mIRC Script, which allows users to automate tasks, create custom commands, and enhance functionality.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both novice and advanced users.
  • Wide Range of Connectivity Options
    mIRC supports multiple server connections, SSL encryption, and various file transfer options, providing flexibility and security.
  • Active Community
    There is an active community of users and developers who contribute scripts, provide support, and share knowledge.

Possible disadvantages of mIRC

  • Cost
    Though mIRC offers a free trial, it requires a one-time payment for continued use, which might not be suitable for all users.
  • Outdated Design
    While functional, some users might find the interface design to be somewhat outdated compared to modern chat applications.
  • Security Concerns
    As with all IRC clients, there is a risk of encountering malicious users or content, making it essential to take security precautions.
  • Learning Curve
    For users unfamiliar with IRC or scripting, there may be a steep learning curve to fully utilize all of mIRC’s features.

The Lounge features and specs

  • Customizable
    The Lounge is highly customizable, allowing users to tweak the appearance and functionality to suit their preferences.
  • Persistent Chat
    The Lounge provides a persistent chat history that remains accessible even when users log out, making it easy to keep track and refer back to previous conversations.
  • Self-hosted Option
    Users can opt to self-host The Lounge, giving them full control over their data and enabling them to configure the server as needed.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The application features an intuitive and clean interface, making it convenient for both new and experienced users to navigate.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    The Lounge supports multiple platforms including web browsers, making it accessible from various devices without the need for additional software installations.
  • Active Community Support
    It has an active community and receives frequent updates, ensuring issues are promptly addressed and new features are regularly introduced.

Possible disadvantages of The Lounge

  • Self-hosting Complexity
    For users opting to self-host, the initial setup can be complex and may require technical expertise and familiarity with server management.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, particularly with larger chat rooms or more active communities, which can lead to lag and decreased responsiveness.
  • Limited Features in Free Plan
    The free hosting plan available from The Lounge might have limited features and capabilities compared to self-hosted or premium alternatives.
  • Moderation Tools
    The built-in moderation tools might be less comprehensive compared to other chat applications, potentially making it challenging to manage larger communities.
  • Reliance on Community Plugins
    While there is a variety of plugins available due to active community development, reliance on third-party plugins can sometimes lead to compatibility issues or lack of official support.

Analysis of mIRC

Overall verdict

  • mIRC is considered a good IRC client, especially for those who appreciate its scripting features and stable performance. However, its appeal largely depends on the user's familiarity with IRC and their specific needs for communication.

Why this product is good

  • mIRC, a popular Internet Relay Chat client, has been around since 1995. It is well-regarded for its stability, scripting capabilities, and community support. It is highly customizable, allowing users to automate tasks and create complex scripts, which can enhance the chatting experience. Its longevity and active development community contribute to its reputation as a reliable chat client.

Recommended for

  • Users who need a versatile and customizable IRC client.
  • Individuals interested in scripting and automation within chat applications.
  • Long-time IRC users who value stability and a well-established community.

Analysis of The Lounge

Overall verdict

  • Yes, The Lounge is generally considered to be a good choice for those looking for a reliable and modern IRC client with additional features and a user-friendly interface.

Why this product is good

  • The Lounge is an open-source, self-hosted web IRC client designed to be always online. It is suitable for users who prefer to have persistent IRC connections and provides a modern web interface that supports multiple users on a single installation. Its features include push notifications, link previews, and a responsive design, making it accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.

Recommended for

    The Lounge is recommended for tech-savvy users who want to host their own IRC client, as well as anyone interested in maintaining persistent IRC connections with a clean and customizable web interface. It's also a great option for communities looking to manage multiple users on a single platform.

mIRC videos

A review (yes) of the mIRC scripting language

More videos:

  • Review - What Is MIRC & Can It Help My Business?
  • Review - Tankers Mirc Review

The Lounge videos

The Lounge Review - with Zee Garcia

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to mIRC and The Lounge)
Group Chat & Notifications
Messaging
49 49%
51% 51
Communication
43 43%
57% 57
Social & Communications
57 57%
43% 43

User comments

Share your experience with using mIRC and The Lounge. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, The Lounge seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 45 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

mIRC mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of mIRC yet. Tracking of mIRC recommendations started around Mar 2021.

The Lounge mentions (45)

  • Ask HN: What are your favorite IRC clients/channels
    My favourite irc client is TheLounge: https://thelounge.chat/ Regarding the liveness... It'll likely never die, mostly due to its simplicity I think. Obligatory: https://xkcd.com/1782/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • IRC Today hosted IRC bouncer
    For self-hosted, look at https://thelounge.chat/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • IRC Will Never Die
    If you know IRC well enough to want to mandate it for your company, you can probably set the server up in an hour or three. You can then install https://thelounge.chat/ and have your employees log into that for browser and mobile apps vs. Native IRC clients. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • IRC Will Never Die
    I was sort of on the fence for whether to keep using IRC, for years. I used to have Trillian and later Pidgin as a multi-network chat client, and when using one of those, it makes perfect sense to idle in IRC channels. Then the networks got so complex that multi-network clients no longer worked, and now everything sucks and I have to open 3 different browser tabs (Google, Slack, Discord) on my workstation, iPad,... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Libera Chat Channels by Number of Users
    I use https://thelounge.chat/, it requires self-hosting somewhere, but it gives you a discord-like experience. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing mIRC and The Lounge, you can also consider the following products

HexChat - HexChat is a fork of XChat with bug fixes and new features.

Kiwi IRC - A hand-crafted IRC client that you can enjoy. Designed to be used easily and freely.

irssi - Irssi is a terminal based IRC client for UNIX systems.

WeeChat - WeeChat is a fast, light and extensible chat client.

Konversation - Konversation is an IRC client which gives you speedy access to Freenode network's channels...

KVIrc - KVIrc is a free portable IRC client based on the excellent Qt GUI toolkit.