Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WeeChat VS Matrix.org

Compare WeeChat VS Matrix.org and see what are their differences

WeeChat logo WeeChat

WeeChat is a fast, light and extensible chat client.

Matrix.org logo Matrix.org

Matrix is an open standard for decentralized persistent communication over IP.
  • WeeChat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-02
  • Matrix.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21

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.

Matrix.org features and specs

  • Decentralization
    Matrix.org is built on a decentralized architecture, meaning no single entity controls the entire network. This ensures greater resilience, scalability, and prevents single points of failure.
  • Interoperability
    The platform is designed to bridge communications with other networks, such as Slack, IRC, and others, facilitating seamless interaction across different services.
  • End-to-End Encryption
    Matrix.org supports end-to-end encryption, ensuring that conversations are secure and private, and only accessible to the intended recipients.
  • Open-Source
    Matrix.org is an open-source project, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to the code base, which promotes transparency and continuous improvement.
  • Rich Communication
    The platform supports a variety of communication forms, including text, voice, video, and file sharing, making it versatile for different use cases.

Possible disadvantages of Matrix.org

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up a Matrix server can be complex and resource-intensive, requiring technical expertise which may not be accessible to all users.
  • Latency
    Due to its decentralized nature, users might experience higher latency compared to centralized messaging platforms, particularly in global communications.
  • Limited Network
    While Matrix is growing, its network is still smaller compared to mainstream alternatives, which might affect user adoption and community size.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running a Matrix server can be resource-intensive in terms of memory and CPU usage, which might demand higher infrastructure costs.
  • Learning Curve
    Users and administrators might face a steep learning curve due to the complexity of Matrix's features and configurations.

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 Matrix.org

Overall verdict

  • Matrix.org is considered a good platform for secure and decentralized communication.

Why this product is good

  • Matrix.org offers a decentralized communication protocol that ensures user privacy and security. It allows users to host their own servers, providing greater control over data. The platform supports end-to-end encryption, making it a reliable choice for confidential communications. Additionally, Matrix.org has a vibrant open-source community and supports interoperability, allowing communication between different platforms.

Recommended for

    Matrix.org is recommended for individuals and organizations that prioritize privacy and security in their communications. It's ideal for tech-savvy users who value open-source solutions and those who seek to avoid centralized communication platforms. Additionally, it's suitable for developers looking to build custom communication solutions using a versatile protocol.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WeeChat and Matrix.org)
Group Chat & Notifications
Communication
5 5%
95% 95
Messaging
14 14%
86% 86
Social & Communications
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare WeeChat and Matrix.org

WeeChat Reviews

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Matrix.org Reviews

Top 10 Team Chat Software for a Self-Hosted environment specifically designed for Large Enterprises
Matrix.org never charges. It's completely free. Its free servers are open to all for public registrations.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Matrix.org seems to be a lot more popular than WeeChat. While we know about 592 links to Matrix.org, we've tracked only 17 mentions of WeeChat. 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
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Matrix.org mentions (592)

  • Top 10 European Open-Source Projects to Watch in 2025
    End-to-end encryption guarantees respect for privacy rules. Discover further: MATrix Official Site. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Ask HN: Open-source forum platform (HN style)
    NATHAN SCHNEIDER - GOVERNABLE SPACES DEMOCRATIC DESIGN FOR ONLINE LIFE Available as PDF in https://www.ucpress.edu/books/governable-spaces/paper Really full of great advice "Side" projects * https://www.loomio.com * https://matrix.org * https://opencollective.com. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Ergo Chat – A modern IRC server written in Go
    And if it's not, or you need something more secure, there's always Matrix. https://matrix.org. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • US Senators implore Department of Defense to expand the use of Matrix
    No, they're talking about this Matrix: https://matrix.org/ Relevant blog post: https://matrix.org/blog/2024/12/unrelated-cybercriminal-network-taken-down/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Show HN: Open-source private home security camera system (end-to-end encryption)
    Sure, just wanted to tell you about it, as this seems to be defacto standard for foss android apps, for example most if not all https://matrix.org clients use it for push notifications (when you use their de googled build, or don't have play services) available. I also use a Signal fork with UnifiedPush and have some server alert scripts which post to my self-hosted ntfy instance, and the ntfy app itself will... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing WeeChat and Matrix.org, you can also consider the following products

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

Element.io - Secure messaging app with strong end-to-end encryption, advanced group chat privacy settings, secure video calls for teams, encrypted communication using Matrix open network. Riot.im is now Element.

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

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free.

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

Signal - Fast, simple & secure messaging. Privacy that fits in your pocket.