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Add to SafariWhen comparing LimeChat vs Quassel, the Slant community recommends LimeChat for most people. In the question“What are the best IRC clients for Mac?” LimeChat is ranked 1st while Quassel is ranked 7th.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Free and Open Source
Pro Console-like interface
LimeChat has a nostalgic console feel that is still very functional. It features multiple themes including a three column layout.
Pro Native support for the Notification Center
Pro Includes many useful features
LimeChat includes many features that any IRC user would need such as:
- The ability to Connect to multiple servers and rooms
- Auto join rooms on startup
- File Sending
- Native Notification Center support
- SSL authorization
Pro Full range of keyboard shortcuts
Limechat has a fully featured shortcut list that makes navigating the program quick and easy.
Pro Fast and lightweight
Pro Free and open source
Quassal is available for free with source code licensed under GPL and available here.
Pro Distributed
It's possible for a front-end client or multiple front-end clients to connect to a single core client. This allows setting up an always on-line core that can be accessed from anywhere.
Pro Easy installation on Ubuntu due to the existence of PPA's
Right now Quassel has a PPA maintainer, which allows you to install the stable version or daily versions.
Support for PostgreSQL as database backend and easy to configure for people that know a bit about systems.
Cons
Con Console based
If you're not familiar with a text based IRC client already, it is definitely not user friendly for learning.
Con No way to search chat logs within LimeChat
Chat logs are not viewable within the app. You must find the file in the directory and open it with a text editor.
Con Potential memory bloat in monolithic client if left running for a period of time
(I don't know if this problem has been fixed in recent years, but I have doubts)
Con No DCC support
DCC or Direct Client-to-Client protocol allows for private communications between users (without the traffic being routed through servers). Neither chat nor file transfers are supported.
