When comparing Foo IRC vs IRSSI, the Slant community recommends IRSSI for most people. In the question“What are the best IRC clients for Windows?” IRSSI is ranked 8th while Foo IRC is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose IRSSI is:
Screen multiplexing and remote connection options with screen or tmux.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Lots of customization options
Pro Consistent looks and function as a UWP app
Being a Universal Windows Platform app, FooIRC follows the design guidelines set forth by Microsoft, which allows it to look native to the UI. This also means things such as notifications integrate well with the notification center.
Pro Great, simple UI
Pro Plugin support
Pro Supports DCC
Pro Terminal-based
Screen multiplexing and remote connection options with screen or tmux.
Pro Themes
Allows the modification of IRSSI's look and feel.
Pro Free and open-source
Pro Quick and easy setup
3 or 4 commands and you're ready to chat with all your old friends.
Pro Perl scripting
Allows the user to create and use perl scripts to perform actions.
Pro Command line outputs can be sent to a channel or message
/exec -o figlet "Slant.co"
Pro Easy logging
Pro Persistent connection
Pro Has a plugin for encrypted communications
Cons
Con Costs money
Con Universal Windows Platform app
Con No GUI
Actually a plus for some, lower memory overhead.
Con Gives little direction upfront
Actually, Irssi.org has it's own GREAT documentation for new irssi users. Inline /help options are pretty well documented.