Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to The Lounge

A modern, cross-platform, self-hosted web IRC client

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. The Lounge launched in 2022; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   The Lounge▲2

   The self-hosted web IRC client

   2016 · thelounge.chat · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Lounge▲151

   Online HQ for authentic connections

   2021 · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Lounge for Slack▲209

   Fun games, watch parties, escape rooms for teams that Slack

   2022 · springworks.in · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Social Lounge▲111

   Your team's place to connect beyond work

   2022 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

5. 5HI
   Hosted IRC for Teams (my first startup)▲74

   2013 · teamrelaychat.nl · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Connect.Club▲328

   Real networking in a virtual world

   2020 · its alternatives →

7. 7AB
   A browser-based IRC client built on Node.js – first Node project▲60

   2014 · airchatter.net · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Jam, an Open Source Clubhouse (w/ WebRTC)▲317

   Join this audio room

   2021 · jam.systems · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Hello▲310

   Houseparty for web. Change the URL and chat in your room

   2017 · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Let's Chat▲323

    Like Slack, but opensource and self-hosted.

    2015 · sdelements.github.io · its alternatives →

11. 11
    CozyRoom▲200

    Free peer-to-peer spatial audio environments

    2020 · cozyroom.xyz · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Flow Club Lounge▲307

    Boost your focus & motivation with social accountability

    2022 · in.flow.club · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Open-Source Alternative to Intercom, Drift, Zendesk, FreshChat▲417

    Open-source live-chat, email support, omni-channel desk. An alternative to Intercom, Zendesk, Salesforce Service Cloud etc. 🔥💬 - chatwoot/chatwoot

    2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    aIRChat▲61

    A better looking, browser-based IRC client

    2014 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    console.chat▲158

    A chat room inside your browser's console.

    2019 · console.chat · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Sameroom▲126

    A bridge to connect users across chat services

    2015 · help.8x8.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    RoomChat▲159

    No sign up chatrooms with just a URL and your handle

    2015 · its alternatives →

18. 18SI
    Sameroom.io▲71

    We wanted an easy way to connect #channels/rooms between different chat teams, so we made Sameroom. It's like plumbing for chat—allowing you to connect different services in interesting ways (e.g. Hipchat Slack, Flowdock IRC, Slack Slack). Would love to hear what you all think about it.

    2015 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Loop▲131

    A chatroom for Clubhouse

    2021 · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Virtual Venue by Mixily▲192

    Host custom video gatherings right in your website

    2021 · mixily.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Kiwi IRC▲73

    The open source web IRC client

    2014 · kiwiirc.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Rocket.Chat▲152

    Your own open source Slack-like chat

    2015 · rocket.chat · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Many to Slack▲182

    A public chat room fully integrated into Slack

    2017 · get.slaask.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    The Open Hub▲101

    Your virtual coworking space

    2017 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →