Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WeeChat VS KVIrc

Compare WeeChat VS KVIrc and see what are their differences

WeeChat logo WeeChat

WeeChat is a fast, light and extensible chat client.

KVIrc logo KVIrc

KVIrc is a free portable IRC client based on the excellent Qt GUI toolkit.
  • WeeChat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-02
  • KVIrc Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-28

WeeChat features and specs

  • Lightweight
    WeeChat is designed to be a fast and minimal IRC client, consuming very few system resources.
  • Highly Customizable
    Users can extensively customize the interface, key bindings, and behavior of WeeChat through scripts and plugins.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    WeeChat supports a wide range of plugins and scripts written in multiple programming languages including Python, Perl, and Lua.
  • Multi-Protocol Support
    In addition to IRC, WeeChat can be extended to support other protocols such as Matrix and XMPP through plugins.
  • Active Community
    WeeChat has an active development community and user base, providing frequent updates and community support.
  • Terminal-based
    As a terminal-based client, WeeChat is ideal for users who prefer working within a command-line interface.
  • Secure
    WeeChat offers SSL/TLS support for secure connections and can be configured to follow best security practices.

Possible disadvantages of WeeChat

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The high level of customization and the required command-line usage may be intimidating for new users.
  • Text-Based Interface
    The terminal-based interface might not be appealing to users who prefer graphical interfaces.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Configuring WeeChat for optimal use, especially with plugins and scripts, can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    WeeChat relies heavily on plugins for extended functionality, which means the core software has fewer built-in features out of the box.
  • Dependence on External Scripts
    Users may need to rely on community-made plugins and scripts, which might vary in quality and support.
  • Not Suitable for Casual Users
    WeeChat is primarily designed for advanced users and may not be suitable for casual users looking for a simple IRC client.

KVIrc features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    KVIrc is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Free and Open Source
    The software is free to download and use, and its open-source nature allows developers to contribute and customize the software to fit their needs.
  • Highly Customizable
    KVIrc offers extensive customization options, including scripting capabilities using its own scripting language (KVS), themes, and plugin support.
  • Active Community Support
    There is an active community and forum for KVIrc users, providing a platform for support, sharing tips, and collaborating on development.
  • User Interface
    It features a user-friendly and intuitive interface with customizable windows, toolbars, and notifications.

Possible disadvantages of KVIrc

  • Complexity
    The extensive customization and scripting capabilities can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a steep learning curve compared to simpler IRC clients.
  • Lack of Updates
    Development has slowed down in recent years, leading to fewer updates and potentially lagging behind in terms of new features and security improvements.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    KVIrc does not have official support or dedicated apps for mobile devices, limiting its use to desktop environments.
  • Initial Setup
    Setting up the client for the first time can be cumbersome, with numerous configuration options that might confuse inexperienced users.
  • Resource Intensive
    Compared to some lightweight IRC clients, KVIrc can be more resource-intensive, which might be an issue for users with older or lower-spec hardware.

Analysis of WeeChat

Overall verdict

  • Yes, WeeChat is considered a good IRC client, especially for users who want a highly customizable and efficient tool. Its reliability, combined with active community support and frequent updates, make it a solid choice for IRC users.

Why this product is good

  • WeeChat is praised for its lightweight design, extensibility, and the extensive customization options it provides. Its modular architecture allows users to expand functionality through scripts and plugins in various programming languages like Python, Ruby, Lua, and Perl. Additionally, WeeChat's text-based interface is particularly appealing to advanced users who prefer operating in terminal environments.

Recommended for

    WeeChat is recommended for advanced users who enjoy using command-line interfaces, developers looking for a customizable IRC client, users who require a lightweight client that can be adapted for various needs, and individuals interested in automating IRC interactions through scripting.

Analysis of KVIrc

Overall verdict

  • KVIrc is generally well-regarded within its user community, especially for those who prefer customizable and feature-rich IRC clients.

Why this product is good

  • KVIrc is praised for its extensive features and customization options. It offers scripting support, a wide range of configuration options, and a graphical user interface that can appeal to both novice and advanced users. The ability to create and manage multiple server connections simultaneously and its cross-platform support add to its utility. However, some users may find it slightly complex to set up compared to other IRC clients.

Recommended for

    KVIrc is recommended for users who are familiar with IRC and are looking for a feature-rich and highly customizable client. It's ideal for technical users who appreciate the ability to script and configure their IRC client extensively. It might not be the best choice for beginners seeking a simple and straightforward IRC client.

WeeChat videos

No WeeChat videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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KVIrc videos

KVIrc tutorial - bookz (on undernet).avi

More videos:

  • Review - Как пользоваться IRC клиентами (Мирка, Квирк) mIRC, KVIrc
  • Review - Entrar a IRC-Hispano desde KvIRC

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WeeChat and KVIrc)
Group Chat & Notifications
Messaging
63 63%
37% 37
Communication
59 59%
41% 41
Social & Communications
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WeeChat seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 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.

WeeChat mentions (17)

  • Neonmodem: TUI for Lobsters, HN, etc.
    WeeChat[0] with Bitlbee[1] supports a metric assload of services, albeit by pretending they're IRC (which does work - I spent years in weechat/irssi with bitlbee talking to various people on disparate services.) Or if you're just after Telegram/WhatsApp, nchat[2] is ok (I can vouch for the Telegram half only.) [0] https://weechat.org [1] https://wiki.bitlbee.org [2] - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Wave of Spam Hits IRC
    And UnrealIRCD still rocks. For a quick-and-dirty setup I've deploy ng-ircd but Unreal has always been my go-to for anything serious. If nothing else it can be useful as a backup or internal platform during the rare events that Slack or Discord are having an incident. The common complaint is a lack of channel back-log but it can be front-ended with TheLounge [1] or Convos [2]. I personally prefer to handle... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • WeeChat Version 4.0.0
    With this particular linked page, it's just the change log. The actual website is at https://weechat.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • WeeChat Version 4.0.0
    The link posted was to the dev blog, the actual website can be found at [0]. On the blog, the right side menu under "Links" also links to the website. [0] - https://weechat.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Can you help me login or get my WeeChat back?
    I’m afraid you’re in the wrong subreddit. This subreddit is dedicated to WeeChat the IRC client., not the proprietary messaging app built by Tencent. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

KVIrc mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing WeeChat and KVIrc, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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

mIRC - mIRC: Internet Relay Chat client

The Lounge - The Lounge is a web IRC client that you host on your own server.

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