When comparing IRSSI vs Communi, the Slant community recommends IRSSI for most people. In the question“What are the best IRC clients for UNIX-like systems?” IRSSI is ranked 3rd while Communi is ranked 14th. The most important reason people chose IRSSI is:
Screen multiplexing and remote connection options with screen or tmux.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
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

Pro Elegant and minimalist interface
Communi user interface for desktop and mobile is minimal, which helps you focus on the task at hand instead of being distracted by extra UI elements.

Pro Good ZNC integration
The author is involved in ZNC development, so the latest ZNC goodies are guaranteed to be well supported (http://communi.github.io/znc/). With help of the documented ZNC modules, Communi retains its state well across sessions. No repetitive buffer playback on reconnect, notifications and banners for newly received messages only, queries stay open until closed etc.

Pro UI runs on multiple platforms
While Communi itself is a IRC framework, the project offers several UI implementations such as desktop, SailfishOS, Meego and Symbian.

Pro Quassel protocol implementation
Communi is integrated with Quassel.

Pro Event merging
Consequent events (joins, parts, quits etc.) are merged to reduce noise and to keep focus on the discussion.
Cons
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

Con No DCC
Communi does not support DCC (for a reason)

Con No scripting
Communi has no support for scripts
