When comparing IRSSI vs Polari, 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 Polari is ranked 12th. 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 Great UI
The CSD-based UI is great to look at. No screen space goes entirely wasted and is presented neatly.
Pro Easy to use
Polari is very straight forward to use.
Pro GNOME-Integration
Polari integrates nice with GNOME, on a visual and technical level. It uses GNOME online accounts and runs empathy in the background.
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 Some advanced features are lacking
Polari's users will find some advanced features lacking, such as Direct Client-to-Client (DCC).
Con May seem too simple
Unlike Hexchat or other alternatives, it does not expose much of its functionality though some of it might really be present.