Best self-hosted communication - irc
[IRC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat) communication software.
We track 11 self-hosted communication - irc projects. The median health score in this category is 49, against 1 project rated healthy or better and 4 showing little recent activity. The table below is ordered by health score, not popularity — the most starred project in a category is frequently not the best maintained one.
| # | Project | Health | Activity | Stars | Built with | Last release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weechat Fast, light and extensible chat client. | Healthy · 79 | 3.4k | C, Docker | 5 Sept 2026 | |
| 2 | InspIRCd Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS. | Steady · 65 | 1.3k | C++, Docker | 26 Sept 2026 | |
| 3 | Ergo Modern IRCv3 server written in Go, combining the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer. | Steady · 64 | 3.3k | Go, Docker | 5 Aug 2026 | |
| 4 | The Lounge Self-hosted web IRC client. | Steady · 60 | 6.3k | Nodejs, Docker | 22 Jul 2026 | |
| 5 | ZNC Advanced IRC bouncer. | Slowing · 50 | 2.1k | C++, deb | — | |
| 6 | UnrealIRCd Modular, advanced and highly configurable IRC server written in C for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS. | Slowing · 49 | 523 | C | — | |
| 7 | ngircd Portable and lightweight Internet Relay Chat server for small or private networks. | Slowing · 41 | 579 | C, deb | 12 Jul 2026 | |
| 8 | Quassel IRC Distributed IRC client, meaning that one (or multiple) client(s) can attach to and detach from a central core. | At risk · 21 | 795 | C++ | 1 Jan 2022 | |
| 9 | Glowing Bear A web frontend for WeeChat. | At risk · 16 | 979 | Nodejs | 6 Jul 2020 | |
| 10 | Robust IRC IRC without netsplits. Distributed IRC server, based on RobustSession protocol. | At risk · 16 | 195 | Go | — | |
| 11 | Kiwi IRC Responsive web IRC client with theming support. | At risk · 10 | 990 | Nodejs | 13 Sept 2023 |
Which one should you run?
If you want the safest bet on longevity, Weechat is the best-maintained project in this category right now at 79/100. InspIRCd is the closest runner-up (65/100) — see the side-by-side comparison.
A health score measures whether a project is alive and shipping. It does not measure whether it has the feature you need. Use it to rule options out, then compare on features.