9 Best Free Web IRC Clients

Here is a list of the best free web IRC clients. IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. It is an application layer protocol for instant messaging. Web IRC clients run as a server and connect the users to the desired networks. It is designed for group communication through channels. It also offers one-to-one private communication. The advantage of web IRC is that it is always connected to the server and allows to access the same session on different devices.

This post covers 9 free web IRC clients that work with all major web browsers. Some of these clients allow you to add your own network with the ability to join other popular networks as well. Whereas the other clients use their own network where you can connect and join/create channels. You can simply visit the website, pick a nickname, and get started.

My Favorite web IRC Client

KiwiIRC is my favorite web IRC client on this list. This client has a simple and neat interface with the necessary features. It features dozens of popular networks with the functionality to add custom networks as well. Apart from that, it also offers chat customization and operator features for channel admins as well as individuals.

You can check out our other lists of the best free Open Source IRC Client Software For Windows, Websites to Conduct P2P Chat Online, and Open Source VPN Client Software For Windows.

KiwiIRC

KiwiIRC is a free web IRC client that works with all major browsers. This client allows you to add and manage your own network for the chat. It also features dozens of networks that you can join. When you create your own network, you can check out connected IP addresses and manage the hosts. You can see the number of users that are connected to your network and control the servers. Apart from that, you can join any existing networks and customize the appearance of the interface.

Highlights:

• Servers: Add networks and control which servers kiwi users can connect to.
• Stats: See how many users are connecting to a network in real-time.
• Communication: Communicate within multiple networks and channels with ease.
• Customization: Themes, Text Styling, and User Scripts support.
• Management: Operator tools to set ban mask and kick reason.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
• Plugins: Plugin support for adding additional functionalities.

Libera Chat

Libre Chat is a free web IRC client for Libra Chat IRC network. This client supports the Libra IRC network only with no option to add other networks. However, you can create and manage multiple channels on the network. Apart from limiting the network, it packs all the features you expect from an IRC chat client. It has customization options including themes and styling. You can even run user scripts. And if you manage channels, you get full control with operator tools for banning, default settings, etc.

Highlights:

• Servers: Connect to Libra Chat network and create/join channels.
• Stats: See how many users are connecting to a network in real-time.
• Communication: Communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Customization: Themes, Text Styling, and User Scripts support.
• Management: Operator tools to set ban mask and kick reason.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Freenode

Freenode.net is another free web IRC client. This client uses the Libra Chat IRC network. By default, it takes you to the Freenode channel on the network. You can chat on that channel and can also create your own channels on the network. The rest of the functionality is the same as other IRC clients. You can check the list of connected users within your channels and create operator rules. One good thing about this IRC client is that instead of showing the IP address, it masks that with random text.

Highlights:

• Server: Connect to Libra Chat network and create/join channels.
• Stats: See how many users are connecting to a network in real-time.
• Communication: Communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Customization: Themes, Text Styling, and User Scripts support.
• Management: Operator tools to set ban mask and kick reason.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Mibbit

Mibbit is a free web IRC client where you can join dozens of popular IRC networks. If you want to add your own network to the client, you can do that as well. When you join a channel or network from the homepage, it opens a new chat tab. The tab appears at the top from where you can switch between multiple chats. It does not offer any customization or chat options. But alongside the chat, it shows other channels on the network with the number of active users.

Highlights:

• Servers: Add networks and join dozens of existing networks.
• Stats: See how many users are connecting to your network.
• Communication: Communicate within multiple networks and channels with ease.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Undernet Connect

Undernet Connect is a web IRC client that you can use on all major web browsers. It uses its own network called Undernet. You can join that network and then create your own channels. It offers the common feature of a web IRC client. This includes the ability to manage the channels, customize the interface with themes, set operator rules, and more.

Highlights:

• Server: Connect to the Undernet network and create/join channels.
• Communication: Communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Stats: See how many users are connecting to your channels.
• Customization: Themes and Text Styling options.
• Management: Operator tools to set ban mask and kick reason.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

QuakeNet

QuakeNet is a free web IRC client. This client uses its own QuakeNet service. To use this client, you join the QuakeNet network. On that network, you can create multiple channels. The channels get pinned at the top like tabs in a browser. From there, you can jump between multiple channels and communicate back and forth. There are a few settings where you can customize the interface and set chat preferences such as a nickname, timestamps, hostmask, etc.

Highlights:

• Server: Uses QuakeNet network where you create/join channels.
• Communication: Connect and communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

OFTC Web IRC

OFTC Web IRC is another free web IRC client that you can use to communicate online. This client uses the OFTC network. To start a connection, you can enter a unique nickname and join the network. Within that network, you can join and create multiple channels. This client also pins the joined/created channels in the tab at the top. The interface is quite simple and easy to navigate. And you do get some options to set chat preferences.

Highlights:

• Server: Uses OFTC network where you create/join channels.
• Communication: Connect and communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Rizon

Rizon is another free web IRC that uses the Rizon Chat Network. You can simply visit the website and join the network by picking a nickname. Similar to any other web IRC network, you can create and join channels on the network. When you insert the /Join command, it joins the channels. Otherwise, it creates a channel with that name and takes you to that. Then you can ask others to join and chat on the channel.

Highlights:

• Server: Uses Rizon network where you create/join channels.
• Communication: Connect and communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

DALnet

DALnet is yet another free web IRC client. This is a simple client that uses the DALnet network. You can join the network with a nickname. From the channel chat interface, you can create or join channels using the /join command. On the right side, it lists all the current users of the respective channel. From there, you can check other users. That’s pretty much all.

Highlights:

• Server: Uses DALnet network where you can create/join channels.
• Communication: Connect and communicate within multiple channels with ease.
• Compatibility: Supports all major browsers on desktop, tablet, and mobile.