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XChat for Linux VS irssi

Compare XChat for Linux VS irssi and see what are their differences

XChat for Linux logo XChat for Linux

XChat is an IRC chat program for both Linux and Windows.

irssi logo irssi

Irssi is a terminal based IRC client for UNIX systems.
  • XChat for Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-06
  • irssi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-30

XChat for Linux features and specs

  • Cross-platform Support
    XChat is available not only on Linux but also on Windows and other operating systems, providing flexibility and accessibility for users across different platforms.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The interface of XChat is clean and straightforward, making it easy for both new and experienced users to navigate and use the application.
  • Customization Options
    XChat offers various customization options, allowing users to tailor the chat environment to their liking, including themes, fonts, and colors.
  • Script Support
    The application supports scripting, which enables users to automate tasks or add functionality using popular scripting languages like Python and Perl.
  • Multiple Server Connections
    XChat allows users to connect to multiple IRC servers simultaneously, providing flexibility in communication and collaboration across different networks.

Possible disadvantages of XChat for Linux

  • Discontinued Development
    The development of XChat has ceased, meaning there will be no further updates or official support, which may lead to compatibility and security issues over time.
  • Outdated Interface
    While the interface is user-friendly, it appears quite dated by modern standards, which might not appeal to users looking for a more contemporary look.
  • Limited Features Compared to Modern Clients
    XChat lacks some of the advanced features offered by newer IRC clients, such as integrated media sharing and advanced notification systems.
  • Not Available in Some Distribution Repositories
    Some Linux distributions might not include XChat in their official repositories, requiring users to manually install and configure it, which can be a barrier for less experienced users.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, XChat may not be as optimized for performance compared to newer alternatives, which can be a concern for users on limited hardware resources.

irssi features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Irssi is a lightweight IRC client that requires minimal system resources, making it ideal for use on older hardware or in resource-constrained environments.
  • Customizable
    Irssi offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the interface and functionality to their specific needs through scripts and themes.
  • Powerful Scripting
    Irssi supports Perl scripting, enabling users to extend and automate its functionality with custom scripts.
  • Security
    Being a terminal-based client, Irssi is less susceptible to graphical interface-related vulnerabilities and exploits.
  • Server-side Operation
    Irssi can be run in a terminal multiplexer like screen or tmux, allowing it to remain connected to IRC networks even when the client is disconnected.

Possible disadvantages of irssi

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Irssi's command-line interface can be intimidating for new users who are more accustomed to graphical user interfaces.
  • Limited GUI Integration
    As a text-based client, Irssi lacks graphical features, which can be a drawback for users who prefer a more visual interface.
  • Basic Out-of-the-box
    Irssi is quite basic by default, requiring users to manually add scripts and plugins to expand its functionality.
  • Dependencies
    Some features may depend on additional software, like Perl for scripting, which might not be ideal for users wanting an all-in-one solution.
  • No Direct File Transfers
    Irssi does not natively support DCC file transfers, requiring additional steps or scripts to enable such functionality.

XChat for Linux videos

No XChat for Linux videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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irssi videos

Irssi - Terminal IRC Client - Who Needs a GUI to Chat!

More videos:

  • Review - IRSSI: Conectar Al Chat IRC Desde El Terminal | Connect To IRC Chat From The Terminal
  • Review - Irssi on Valkyrien (IRC on Norwegian TV series)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to XChat for Linux and irssi)
Group Chat & Notifications
Messaging
27 27%
73% 73
Communication
31 31%
69% 69
Instant Messaging
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, irssi should be more popular than XChat for Linux. It has been mentiond 6 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.

XChat for Linux mentions (1)

  • Ansible and Matrix
    Well not really, Ansible, Matrix and IRC are all not really apps, Ansible is an automation framework and Matrix and IRC are both protocols that any app can integrate with. The Matrix Gnome client is https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Fractal and there are decent looking IRC clients over the years but most are using awful stuff like XChat which looks like the screenshot on their website http://xchat.org/. Source: almost 4 years ago

irssi mentions (6)

  • Is there anyone still maintaining a native IRC client for macOS?
    If you don't mind terminal clients, irssi is still regularly updated (most recent version was released in March of this year). It's available with homebrew. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Best (easiest) way to crawl an IRC channel?
    I found Irssi which apperantly has the capability to do this but the configuration is more complex than I hoped. While my experiments haven't concluded yet, is anybody aware of an easy to use IRC client that I can use to crawl the messages in an IRC channel? Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Karl Lehenbauer, “Tcl: The Tool Command Language – Lisp for the Masses”
    Eggdrop [0] and BitchX [1] come to mind. Irssi [2] has a plugin that enables Tcl scripting. I'm currently fiddling with TkCAD [3] in order to put a small CNC machine to use here, it needs some small adaptations to work on Linux, but I find it a nice find! [0] https://eggheads.org/ [1] http://bitchx.sourceforge.net/ [2] https://irssi.org/ [3] https://github.com/revarbat/TkCAD. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What IRC client do you use?
    I've used irssi (https://irssi.org) for years. Have a session running on a shell host under tmux. Works perfectly for me on a desktop and a mobile ssh client. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago
  • Lerning about Gentoo on a Friday night. Stoked!
    You might mean IRC chat room. Irssi is very popular IRC client. Source: about 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing XChat for Linux and irssi, you can also consider the following products

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

mIRC - mIRC: Internet Relay Chat client

Pidgin - Pidgin is an easy to use and free chat client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and more chat networks all at once.

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

SeaMonkey - The SeaMonkey project is a community effort to develop the SeaMonkey all-in-one internet...

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