Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a free and open client-server communications protocol for anyone to use and build software upon. Originally created in 1988, it still is actively used and developed by the community as of today.
This document contains a non-exhaustive list of the most popular IRC related projects, grouped by prominent category, for which the source is hosted on GitHub. Projects which main focus is not IRC, or which have been inactive for a very long time, are excluded from the list. So are frameworks, libraries, themes and plugins for other software.
Software used to connect to an IRC network. To help distinguish between projects the targeted platform is indicated, such as desktop or mobile.
| Stars | Repository | Language | Homepage | Latest Commit | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,071 | thelounge/thelounge | TypeScript | click | 2025-09 | Browser |
| 3,502 | squidowl/halloy | Rust | click | 2025-12 | Desktop |
| 3,193 | weechat/weechat | C | click | 2025-12 | Terminal |
| 3,047 | irssi/irssi | C | click | 2025-11 | Terminal |
| 1,465 | thedjpetersen/subway | JavaScript | n/a | 2025-11 | Browser |
| 1,143 | convos-chat/convos | Perl | click | 2025-02 | Browser |
| 1,122 | osa1/tiny | Rust | n/a | 2025-10 | Terminal |
| 967 | glowing-bear/glowing-bear | JavaScript | click | 2025-09 | Browser |
| 939 | kiwiirc/kiwiirc | Vue | click | 2025-08 | Browser |
| 757 | quassel/quassel | C++ | click | 2025-07 | Desktop |
| 545 | mcpcpc/kirc | C | click | 2025-05 | Terminal |
| 421 | emacs-circe/circe | Emacs Lisp | n/a | 2025-10 | |
| 329 | codyd51/uefirc | Rust | click | 2024-04 | |
| 328 | SrainApp/srain | C | click | 2025-07 | Desktop |
| 302 | irccloud/android | Java | n/a | 2025-12 | Android |
| 289 | irccloud/ios | Objective-C | n/a | 2025-09 | iOS |
| 289 | babycommando/zuse | Go | n/a | 2025-07 | Terminal |
| 273 | kvirc/KVIrc | C++ | click | 2025-12 | Desktop |
| 180 | meebey/smuxi | C# | click | 2025-05 | Desktop |
| 165 | glguy/irc-core | Haskell | n/a | 2025-11 | Terminal |
| 113 | nhexirc/nhex | TypeScript | n/a | 2024-11 | Desktop |
| 101 | LithApp/Lith | C++ | click | 2025-11 | iOS |
| 65 | ObsidianIRC/ObsidianIRC | TypeScript | n/a | 2025-11 | Desktop |
| 60 | communi/communi-desktop | C++ | click | 2024-05 | Desktop |
| 59 | Libera-Chat/gamja | JavaScript | n/a | 2024-04 | Browser |
| 55 | rockorager/comlink | Zig | n/a | 2025-05 | Desktop |
| 52 | KDE/konversation | C++ | click | 2025-12 | Desktop |
| 40 | nmeum/hii | Go | n/a | 2025-08 | Terminal |
| 39 | communi/communi-sailfish | C++ | n/a | 2024-05 | |
| 37 | mhoran/weechatRN | TypeScript | n/a | 2025-12 | iOS |
| 27 | nutjob-laboratories/merk | Python | n/a | 2025-12 | Desktop |
| 26 | nutjob-laboratories/erk | Python | n/a | 2025-03 | Desktop |
| 26 | uhlin/swirc | C | click | 2025-12 | Terminal |
| 25 | shadmansaleh/IRC.nvim | Lua | n/a | 2025-03 | |
| 20 | dlowe-net/irken | Tcl | n/a | 2025-06 | Desktop |
| 18 | delthas/senpai | Go | click | 2025-12 | Terminal |
| 17 | matty-r/urChat | Java | n/a | 2024-03 | Desktop |
| 16 | SweMonkey/smdt | C | n/a | 2025-11 | |
| 15 | ShrugShoulders/RudeChat | Python | n/a | 2025-12 | Desktop |
| 14 | umutcamliyurt/IrisChat | Java | n/a | 2024-09 | Android |
| 13 | opicron/mysticbbs-irc | n/a | n/a | 2025-05 | Terminal |
| 13 | IllusionMan1212/gorc | Go | n/a | 2025-09 | Terminal |
| 12 | parmaja/miniIRChat | Pascal | n/a | 2025-07 | Desktop |
| 12 | HaikuArchives/Vision | C++ | n/a | 2025-05 | Desktop |
| 12 | SwiftIRC/Web-IRC | JavaScript | click | 2025-06 | Browser |
| 12 | gotr00t0day/rootX | Python | n/a | 2025-12 | Desktop |
| 12 | laeos/xaric | C | click | 2025-09 | Terminal |
| 11 | Akuli/mantaray | Python | n/a | 2024-03 | Desktop |
| 11 | dzwdz/hewwo | Lua | n/a | 2024-05 | Terminal |
| 11 | cptaffe/airc | C | n/a | 2025-01 | Terminal |
| 11 | eznix86/irc-client | Go | n/a | 2025-10 | Terminal |
| 10 | nathanborror/Rabble | Swift | n/a | 2025-10 |
IRC servers (daemons) are central points in an IRC network for clients to connect to. Features beyond basic functionality can differ greatly between projects. Real-world usage statistics can be found here.
| Stars | Repository | Language | Homepage | Latest Commit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,989 | ergochat/ergo | Go | click | 2025-12 |
| 1,271 | inspircd/inspircd | C++ | click | 2025-12 |
| 522 | ngircd/ngircd | C | click | 2025-09 |
| 482 | unrealircd/unrealircd | C | click | 2025-12 |
| 442 | jrosdahl/miniircd | Python | n/a | 2025-02 |
| 251 | solanum-ircd/solanum | C | click | 2025-12 |
| 198 | ircd-hybrid/ircd-hybrid | C | click | 2025-09 |
| 192 | robustirc/robustirc | Go | click | 2025-09 |
| 68 | DALnet/bahamut | C | click | 2025-09 |
| 62 | UndernetIRC/ircu2 | C | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 32 | tgiachi/abyssirc-server | C# | n/a | 2025-08 |
| 24 | provisionircd/ProvisionIRCd | Python | n/a | 2025-10 |
| 20 | opensource-force/ircd | Rust | n/a | 2024-07 |
| 20 | ircnet/ircd | C | n/a | 2025-08 |
| 19 | matszpk/simple-irc-server | Rust | n/a | 2024-09 |
| 18 | cooper/juno | Perl | click | 2025-10 |
| 16 | dgl/bash-ircd | Shell | click | 2025-11 |
A bouncer is a piece of software that sits between a client and a server. Its purpose is to stay up and running 24/7, keeping the connection to the server alive as to not miss any chatter or events while the client may disconnect periodically. This software is not always necessary or even desired.
| Stars | Repository | Language | Homepage | Latest Commit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,085 | znc/znc | C++ | click | 2025-12 |
| 169 | emersion/soju | Go | click | 2025-12 |
| 30 | freenode/jbnc | JavaScript | n/a | 2025-11 |
Automated client software that can perform tasks in a channel such as moderation or providing information.
| Stars | Repository | Language | Homepage | Latest Commit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 968 | sopel-irc/sopel | Python | click | 2025-12 |
| 642 | progval/Limnoria | Python | click | 2025-11 |
| 554 | eggheads/eggdrop | C | n/a | 2025-12 |
| 402 | ArchiveTeam/ArchiveBot | Python | click | 2025-08 |
| 276 | CloudBotIRC/CloudBot | Python | n/a | 2023-12 |
| 248 | rmmh/skybot | Python | click | 2025-10 |
| 166 | lambdabot/lambdabot | Haskell | n/a | 2025-05 |
| 101 | johnmaguire/Cardinal | Python | n/a | 2025-06 |
| 79 | TotallyNotRobots/CloudBot | Python | n/a | 2025-12 |
| 78 | wraith/wraith | C++ | click | 2024-03 |
| 77 | pyhoneybot/honeybot | Python | click | 2024-09 |
| 77 | baines/insobot | C | n/a | 2025-03 |
| 74 | boreq/botnet | Python | n/a | 2025-11 |
| 67 | pragma-/pbot | Perl | n/a | 2025-11 |
| 64 | ruby-rbot/rbot | Ruby | click | 2025-10 |
| 56 | evanchooly/javabot | Kotlin | click | 2025-12 |
| 51 | lepinkainen/pyfibot | Python | n/a | 2025-06 |
| 47 | knrd1/chatgpt | Python | n/a | 2025-08 |
| 39 | StalkR/goircbot | Go | click | 2025-11 |
| 39 | molo1134/qrmbot | Perl | n/a | 2025-12 |
| 29 | brenns10/cbot | C | n/a | 2025-11 |
| 28 | EnergyMech/energymech | C | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 27 | pkdindustries/soulshack | Go | n/a | 2025-12 |
| 26 | funsocietyirc/MrNodeBot | JavaScript | n/a | 2024-03 |
| 25 | tlikonen/cl-eval-bot | Common Lisp | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 25 | alybun/nisaba | Go | n/a | 2024-05 |
| 19 | susam/tzero | Python | click | 2024-09 |
| 17 | helpmebot/helpmebot | C# | click | 2025-07 |
| 17 | terminaldweller/milla | Go | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 17 | dlowe-net/orcabot | Common Lisp | n/a | 2025-05 |
| 16 | adedomin/neo8ball-irc | Shell | n/a | 2025-01 |
| 16 | ircart/scroll | Python | n/a | 2024-12 |
| 15 | tjcsl/cslbot | Python | n/a | 2025-11 |
| 15 | lobsters/mockturtle | JavaScript | n/a | 2025-08 |
| 15 | oxagast/Franklin | Perl | click | 2025-11 |
| 15 | ugjka/newyearsbot | Go | n/a | 2025-11 |
| 14 | TheReverend403/cappuccino | Python | n/a | 2025-12 |
| 13 | cakephp/irc.cakephp.org | PHP | click | 2024-12 |
| 13 | thomwiggers/onebot | Python | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 13 | m0de-60/super-duckhunt-bot | Python | n/a | 2025-08 |
| 13 | uangtai/soulsh | Go | n/a | 2025-08 |
| 12 | birdneststream/aibird | Go | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 12 | knivey/lolbot | PHP | n/a | 2025-11 |
| 12 | brockman-news/brockman | Haskell | n/a | 2025-06 |
| 12 | fade/harlie | Roff | n/a | 2025-09 |
| 10 | serpis/pynik | Python | n/a | 2025-03 |
| 10 | acidvegas/irccex | Python | n/a | 2024-01 |
| 10 | hlmtre/pybot | Python | n/a | 2025-07 |
Miscellaneous software and resources of interest.
| Stars | Repository | Language | Homepage | Latest Commit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 811 | ircv3/ircv3-specifications | n/a | click | 2025-11 | IRCv3 specifications |
| 637 | bitlbee/bitlbee | C | click | 2025-10 | An IRC to other chat networks gateway 🐝... |
| 285 | whitequark/irclogger | Ruby | click | 2025-09 | Simple and good-looking IRC log viewer. Logger is included. No strings are attached.... |
| 219 | ircdocs/modern-irc | Sass | click | 2025-10 | A useful overview and reference to the IRC client protocol as it is implemented today.... |
| 122 | irccloud/irccat | Go | n/a | 2025-07 | cat to IRC... |
| 99 | tommyrot/superseriousstats | PHP | n/a | 2025-11 | superseriousstats is a fast and efficient program to create statistics out of IRC chat logs... |
| 89 | mgedmin/irclog2html | Python | click | 2025-11 | Convert IRC logs to HTML... |
| 65 | ircdocs/irc-defs | HTML | click | 2025-03 | More up-to-date IRC Definition Lists... |
| 56 | grawity/irc-docs | HTML | n/a | 2022-07 | Collected IRC protocol documentation... |
| 53 | bagder/irchistory | n/a | click | 2025-09 | The history of IRC... |
| 48 | ergochat/ircdog | Go | n/a | 2024-09 | a tool for sending and receiving raw IRC protocol lines... |
| 41 | waveplate/img2irc | Rust | n/a | 2025-11 | a highly versatile, award-winning image to IRC/ANSI art tool... |
| 41 | zopieux/ircjournal | Rust | n/a | 2025-03 | A lightweight, fast, standalone IRC log viewer for the web, with real-time log ingestion.... |
| 33 | birdneststream/asciibird | Vue | click | 2025-08 | ASCII Creation... |
| 22 | homeworkprod/syslog2irc | Python | click | 2021-12 | Forward syslog messages to IRC... |