HexChat icon

HexChat

4.4/5 45
Certified 100% FREE Donationware     /  GPLv2   

A highly customizable IRC client that supports multiple simultaneous connections, enabling you to chat with other users from around the world. #IRC chat  #IRC messenger  #Instant messenger  #IRC  #Chat  #Channel  

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XChat was a widely popular IRC client for individuals interested in public or private chat rooms. Since 2015 however, XChat was replaced by HexChat — an almost identical client that carries the legacy forward. Besides, HexChat borrowed most of its predecessor's features, but still being in development, improvements and fixes are being shipped out.

Filling in user information and selecting a network is the first thing you’ll have to get done. There is a nickname to be set, followed by a second and a third choice, as well as a username. All instances mustn't be identical, but one character is enough to differentiate them.

Next up, choosing a network to connect to is in order. HexChat sports an extensive network list and can help you create new ones if that's required. Among the network example, one can find ACN, Canternet, DaIRC, EFnet, GameSurge, Hashmark, IRC4Fun, SlashNET and many others. Below the network tab, two checkboxes allow you to list favorite instances only or skip the whole network list at startup.

Once connected to a certain room, your username along with your peers will be green-lit. Type something in to start your conversation. Connection to multiple chat rooms has no limitation. You can communicate between rooms and servers with ease.

A chat room has a basic IRC layout, being no different to most similar clients. Check out the toolbar entries to enhance and customize your experience. For example, you can use the Window drop-down menu to manage the Ban List, learn character codes, start direct chats, or even transfer files. Go to Settings and open up the Preferences panel to further fine-tune the client.

HexChat is a neat app that employs the Internet Relay Chat protocol in order to provide communication services to its users. If you are familiar with mIRC and wish to try another similar client, HexChat might be one of the best alternatives out there.

What's new in HexChat 2.16.2:

  • change /server to use TLS by default, use -insecure or the - prefix on the port to disable
  • change preferences dialog to be modal
  • add support for the extended-monitor capability
  • add support for SCRAM SASL mechanisms
Read the full changelog
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HexChat 2.16.2

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  runs on:
Windows 11
Windows 10 32/64 bit
Windows 8 32/64 bit
Windows 7 32/64 bit
  file size:
9.3 MB
  filename:
HexChat.2.16.2.x86.exe
  8 screenshots:
HexChat - HexChat will help you quickly and easily join your preferred IRC channels and communicate with your friendsHexChat - The main menu of the application will allow users to open new server and channel tabs or windowsHexChat - Users will be able to customize the interface of the program by adding or remiving bars and buttons within the View menuHexChat - screenshot #4HexChat - screenshot #5HexChat - screenshot #6HexChat - screenshot #7HexChat - screenshot #8
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