When comparing Nettalk 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 Nettalk is ranked 14th. 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 Can overlay incoming messages
Nettalk can be set up to overlay incoming messages. Especially useful for games.
Pro Built-in spellcheck
Pro Free and open source
Pro Multi-lingual interface
Nettalk is available in English, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, Hungarian and German.
Pro Easy interface
Simple and good looking interface.
Pro Encryption support
Pro Scriptable
Pro Functionality can be extended via plugins
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 No longer developed
Development ceased some time ago (2012).
Con Poor log management
It stores all logs in one file in a custom format.
Con German language
Is primarily a German language client, so the spell check, etc. is in German.
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.
Con Cryptic configuration files
