Best Self-hosted Alternatives to Kiwi IRC

The Lounge is a modern web IRC client designed for self-hosting. It provides a responsive, cross-platform interface while keeping you connected to IRC servers even when you are offline.

Key Features

• Persistent connections to IRC networks to stay online while you are away
• Responsive web UI that works well on desktop, tablet, and mobile
• Multi-user support for hosting multiple accounts on one instance
• Push notifications and new message indicators for timely updates
• Link previews and file uploads to modernize the IRC experience
• Synchronized session experience across devices

Use Cases

• Run a personal web IRC client that stays connected without a separate bouncer
• Host a shared IRC web client for a team, community, or group of friends
• Access IRC securely from any device with a consistent interface

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires an IRC server/network to connect to (it is a client, not an IRC server)
• Some features depend on browser support and notification permissions

The Lounge is a practical way to bring a modern, always-available interface to IRC. It is well-suited for users who want a persistent connection and a consistent experience across devices.

Converse.js is a modern, feature-rich XMPP (Jabber) chat client that runs entirely in the web browser. It can be deployed as a full-page web app or embedded into existing websites as an overlay or inline widget.

Key Features

• Multiple UI modes: full-page app, overlay chat boxes, or embedded components
• Direct messages and multi-user chat rooms (MUC)
• OMEMO end-to-end encryption (server support required)
• Message features such as corrections, retractions, moderation, reactions, and styling
• HTTP File Upload support for file sharing (server support required)
• Desktop notifications and presence/status indicators
• Extensive XMPP protocol support (wide range of XEPs)
• Plugin-based architecture for customization and extensions
• Internationalization with many community translations

Use Cases

• Add an embeddable chat widget to a community or support website backed by an XMPP server
• Provide a browser-based client for an organization’s existing XMPP/Jabber infrastructure
• Host secure group chat rooms with moderation features for teams or public communities

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature availability depends on the connected XMPP server and enabled XEP support (for example, OMEMO, file upload, URL previews)

Converse.js is a strong option for anyone needing a standards-based web chat client with flexible embedding options. Its broad XMPP support and extensibility make it suitable for both simple deployments and deep integrations.

Ergo (formerly Oragono) is a modern IRC server daemon written in Go. It combines an IRCd with built-in services functionality to provide accounts, persistent history, and bouncer-like behavior in a single deployable server.

Key Features

• IRC server daemon (ircd) designed to be simple to set up and operate
• Integrated account management and channel registration/services-style commands
• Persistent message history and bouncer-like user experience without separate software
• Strong IRCv3 support, suitable for modern IRC clients and networks
• Highly customizable, runtime-reloadable YAML configuration (rehashable config)
• SASL authentication support for automatic account login from clients

Use Cases

• Hosting a private or community IRC network with modern IRCv3 features
• Running an IRC server with built-in accounts and registered channels without extra services
• Providing persistent history for users across reconnects without an external bouncer

Ergo is a strong choice for running an IRC network that needs modern protocol capabilities while keeping operations straightforward. Its integrated approach reduces the need to deploy separate services components for many common IRC network needs.

Openfire is an open source real-time collaboration server that implements the XMPP (Jabber) protocol for instant messaging and presence. It is designed to be straightforward to deploy and administer while supporting scalable, standards-based messaging.

Key Features

• XMPP server for messaging, presence, and roster management
• Web-based administration console for configuration and user management
• Multi-User Chat (MUC) support for group chatrooms
• Extensible plugin architecture to add features and integrations
• TLS support and configurable authentication options for secure deployments

Use Cases

• Self-hosted team chat infrastructure based on open standards (XMPP)
• Embedding XMPP messaging in custom applications and products
• Running private group chat services for communities, schools, or organizations

Openfire is a mature XMPP server with an active ecosystem, making it a solid choice for standards-based messaging deployments that need extensibility and administrative control.

ZNC is an advanced IRC bouncer that maintains persistent connections to IRC networks while you are offline. It lets you reconnect later from one or multiple IRC clients without losing your session, with optional message playback and account management.

Key Features

• Persistent IRC connections so you can detach and reattach without losing presence
• Playback buffers with optional timestamps to replay messages missed while offline
• Multiple users, networks, and simultaneous clients per user
• Web-based administration (via the webadmin module) for managing users and settings
• Modular architecture with dynamically loadable modules (C++, Perl, Python, Tcl)
• SSL/TLS support for both client-to-bouncer and bouncer-to-IRC connections
• IPv4 and IPv6 support

Use Cases

• Keep IRC identity and channel presence while switching devices or disconnecting
• Consolidate multiple IRC networks behind a single always-on endpoint
• Provide shared IRC bouncer service for multiple users on a single host

ZNC is a mature, extensible choice for anyone who relies on IRC and wants reliable always-on connectivity, multi-client access, and configurable buffering and administration. Its module system makes it adaptable to many workflows, from simple personal use to multi-user deployments.

InspIRCd is a modular Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, macOS, and Windows. It is designed to be stable, modern, and lightweight, with many capabilities delivered through loadable modules.

Key Features

• Advanced module system to enable or disable features without bloating the core
• IRC server-to-server linking for building multi-server IRC networks
• IRCv3-related capabilities via modules (varies by configuration and version)
• TLS support via OpenSSL module for encrypted client and server connections
• Operator and abuse-control tooling such as bans, connection controls, and flood mitigation modules
• Highly configurable behavior via a rich server configuration system

Use Cases

• Running a public or private IRC network with one or multiple linked servers
• Hosting an organization or community chat service using the IRC protocol
• Providing an IRC backend for bouncers and modern IRC clients that rely on newer capabilities

Limitations and Considerations

• InspIRCd v3 is end-of-life and no longer receives security updates; newer deployments should use v4
• Functionality depends heavily on selected modules, so feature availability varies between installs

InspIRCd is a strong choice for operators who want an IRCd that stays lightweight while remaining extensible. Its modular architecture makes it suitable for both minimal setups and feature-rich networks tuned to specific policy and performance needs.

Convos is a multiuser chat application that runs in your web browser, focused on providing a modern IRC experience. It includes a persistent server-side bouncer so you stay connected and keep history even when your browser is closed.

Key Features

• Web-based multiuser IRC client
• Persistent server-side bouncer to stay online and capture history
• Chat archive/logging of activity
• Responsive interface for desktop and mobile screens
• Rich formatting with inline media and emojis
• Customizable color themes
• Optional built-in video chat
• Simple deployment options, including Docker

Use Cases

• Run a personal or team IRC web client that stays connected 24/7
• Provide a shared, browser-based IRC interface for a community or organization
• Maintain searchable chat history and continuity across devices

Limitations and Considerations

• Primary supported protocol is IRC; other protocols require extensions
• Public demo instances may be restricted to specific IRC servers to avoid network bans

Convos is a practical choice for anyone who wants a modern, always-online IRC experience without relying on external bouncer services. Its browser UI, persistence, and theming make it suitable for both personal use and small teams.

Glowing Bear is a web client for the WeeChat IRC client. It connects directly from your browser to a WeeChat instance through the WeeChat relay plugin, providing a modern UI without requiring a separate backend service.

Key Features

• Connects to WeeChat using the relay plugin over WebSockets
• Runs entirely in the browser (static web app) with a responsive interface for desktop and mobile
• Rich message rendering with optional inline previews/embeds for common media types
• Works as an installable/app-like experience (for example as a Chrome app or added to a mobile home screen)
• Supports securing the relay connection using TLS when configured on the WeeChat/relay side

Use Cases

• Access your always-on WeeChat session remotely from any modern browser
• Provide a user-friendly UI for WeeChat on mobile devices
• Run WeeChat on a server while using a lightweight web interface locally or remotely

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires an existing WeeChat instance (WeeChat 0.4.2+), with the relay plugin configured and reachable
• If the relay is exposed without TLS, traffic is sent in cleartext; secure relay configuration is strongly recommended

Glowing Bear is a good fit for users who prefer WeeChat’s robustness but want a modern, portable interface. Because it is a static web frontend, deployment is simple and updates are straightforward, while WeeChat remains responsible for the IRC connection and state.

Quassel IRC is a modern, cross-platform IRC client built around a distributed architecture. A central Quassel Core maintains persistent IRC connections and history, while one or more clients can attach and detach from anywhere.

Key Features

• Distributed "core + client" design for always-on IRC connectivity
• Multi-client access to the same core (desktop and mobile clients can share state)
• Backlog and chat history stored in a database for fast retrieval
• Supports modern IRC capabilities (including many IRCv3 features)
• User management on the core (multiple users can be hosted on one core)
• Optional integrations such as Prometheus metrics export and HAProxy protocol support

Use Cases

• Run a personal IRC bouncer-like setup with a full graphical client experience
• Keep IRC connections persistent on a server and attach from multiple devices
• Maintain searchable, centralized chat history for teams or communities

Quassel IRC is well-suited for users who want the convenience of a bouncer with a richer client experience and multi-device continuity, while keeping control over where connections and history are stored.

ngIRCd is a free, portable, lightweight Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server designed for small or private networks. It aims to follow relevant IRC standards while staying simple to configure, run, and maintain.

Key Features

• Lean, well-structured configuration suitable for quick setups
• Single-server operation or linking multiple ngIRCd servers into a network (LAN or Internet)
• Optional IPv6 support
• Optional SSL/TLS for client-to-server and server-to-server connections
• Optional PAM-based authentication support
• Support for many common IRC user and channel modes
• User host cloaking support
• Optional IDENT handling and character set conversion for legacy clients
• Portable C codebase and broad platform support

Use Cases

• Running a private IRC server for a small team, community, or homelab
• Hosting an IRC service on resource-constrained systems where a lightweight daemon is preferred
• Building a small IRC network by linking multiple servers across locations

ngIRCd is a pragmatic choice for operators who want a traditional IRC server with a small footprint, straightforward administration, and optional security and authentication features when needed.

RobustIRC is an IRC network implementation designed to avoid traditional netsplits by using a Raft-based distributed consensus. It lets standard IRC clients connect via a bridge that provides transparent failover and server rollouts without interrupting user sessions.

Key Features

• Raft consensus to maintain a consistent network state and avoid netsplits during server outages or upgrades
• Client bridge that tunnels IRC (RFC2812) over a RobustSession protocol, enabling seamless reconnection between servers
• Compatibility with standard IRC clients through a local SOCKS5 bridge or a legacy TLS endpoint
• Designed for high availability and cluster operation, allowing rolling upgrades and node restarts with minimal user impact
• Implemented in Go with tooling to run as containerized services or standalone binaries

Use Cases

• Host a resilient public or private IRC network that remains available during maintenance and node failures
• Provide IRC access for communities or teams while ensuring session continuity during server rollouts
• Run an internal real-time chat infrastructure for legacy IRC clients with modern cluster-backed reliability

Limitations and Considerations

• Direct connections to a legacy TLS endpoint may still experience occasional disconnects; using the official bridge provides the best transparent failover
• Running a Raft-backed cluster requires operational knowledge of distributed consensus and coordination for node management
• Feature set targets robust connectivity and availability rather than the wide ecosystem integrations of long-established IRC networks

RobustIRC is a focused solution for teams and communities that need an IRC-compatible chat network with strong availability guarantees. It prioritizes connection continuity and cluster stability while remaining compatible with existing IRC clients.